It seems like everyone I know who had a trampoline as a kid also has a horrendous story about breaking their leg, or their arm, or personally witnessing some nasty injury.
But this trampoline story is about something completely different.
Mom Tania Duenas Sweeney decided to grab her camera and snap a picture when her son and some other boys, who had been jumping on a trampoline, suddenly stood frozen in place.
She first became suspicious and wondered what could have possibly made them stop — but then she realized what they were staring at…
A couple a years ago, Tania Duenas Sweeney, a military mom, was stationed with her family at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
It was a day like any other day at the base.
Tania was doing dishes at home while her son was playing outside with his friends.
It seemed like they had fun, Tania could hear the kids laugh and play from her position in the kitchen.
But as she glanced out the window, she noticed the group of boys had paused their play.
They stood solemnly, all facing the same direction.
She then decided to capture a photo that garnered a lot of attention.
As she explained in the caption of her Facebook post, at 5 o’clock Monday through Friday, both the German and American national anthems play — and the kids know just what to do.
The image clearly showed the group of boys, who were on a trampoline when the music began, and immediately, they stopped what they were doing to show their respect.
With their hands on their hearts, the kids remained silent as the national anthems of Germany and America were being broadcasted through the speakers.
Tania’s was overwhelmed by the boy’s actions, noting that they did this on their own and not because a parent was watching.
”I love that these boys stop whatever they are doing and show their respect to our current country and the good ole USA!”, Tania wrote on social media.
Promptly at 5 p.m. every weeknight, both the German and American national anthems play on the military base.
”If you are outside, you must stop what you are doing and face the direction of the anthems or a visible flag. Everything stops on base — adults, kids, all vehicles will turn on hazards and stop traffic to show respect,” Sweeney explained to the Independent Journal Review.
Tania says that she is incredibly proud that her kids and the others living on base are learning the importance of respect and having it instilled in them at such a young age.
She is also deeply moved to see that patriotism had been instilled in the hearts of the boys, ranging in age from 7-10 years old.
“I love that our boys know now and do it automatically. I was doing dishes in the house and looked out the window to see them at attention. It warmed my heart,” Tania said.
Being a so-called “military brat” derivatives describe the child of a parent or parents serving full-time in the United States Armed Forces and can also refer to the subculture and lifestyle of such families.
But in fact, it’s not the easiest way to grow up. Many of these kids have to make a ton of sacrifices while mom or dad serves their country.
It could be moving around a lot, foregoing opportunities that are presented to other kids their age, or having mom or dad deployed for long periods of time.
Missing and worrying about their parents is not the most awesome experience in the world for youngsters.
Sadly, children’s sacrifice often goes unrecognized, and that’s part of the reason Tania decided she just had to share the amazing photo she captured.
As a result of living the military life, military kids sometimes grow up a little faster and often have a deeply-rooted sense of patriotism.
“They feel pride in their country, and it is amplified living on base and especially in an overseas location,” Sweeney said.
“I am so proud of every boy in that picture, especially because no one made those kids show respect, they did it because they truly respect the USA.”
In many cases it is easier to pay attention to children behaving badly and bullying, they manage to get plenty of attention.
But there are plenty of other children who know to do the right thing. All too often, these kids fly under the radar, not getting the credit they really deserve.
Happily, every once in a while, the spotlight shines on them when they do something particularly awesome.
In a world filled with news about kids and young people doing wrong, it’s nice to see an uplifting story about children, like these kids, who do the right thing — even when they don’t think anyone is watching.
God bless these children – SHARE this story on Facebook if you were happy to read this!
