JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The other morning I was heading out of the gym to begin my morning run when an Airman (he was wearing Air Force PT gear) said, "You might want to hold on a minute, Reveille is about to start."
The same thing has happened at the end of the day. I distinctly remember one occasion where I went to walk out the front door around 4:30 p.m. and there were at least 10 people clustered just inside the door. Being the naïve lieutenant, I asked if something was going on. "No, Retreat is just about to go off and we don't want to get caught," one of the cluster replied.
Reveille and Retreat are both part of our normal duty day. Actually, according to AFMAN 36-2203, they're the start and end to the official duty day. Most bases play one or both of them. Oftentimes, they're accompanied by the raising and lowering of the American flag.
The rules are pretty basic for Airmen in uniform. We turn, face the flag or the direction of the sound of the music and stand at parade rest or if we're driving, we stop the car.
When either the national anthem or To the Colors plays, Airmen come to attention and render a salute, holding it until the end of the music. Civilians should stand at attention, face the flag and place their right hand over their hearts. There are of course exceptions for those on the flight line, performing security work, etc.
It's pretty basic and it doesn't take that much time. So why do so many people seem to want to miss this opportunity to honor our country, flag and their fellow service members? That's what we're really doing when we pay respect to the flag. We're respecting what it stands for and whom and what it represents.
I wish I were the first person to feel the need to write about this, but a quick Google search will show that many Airmen have written about the customs and courtesies and the importance attached to these two ceremonies.
We're part of a proud heritage and a tradition of honor. Paying our respects to our flag and what it represents is not an obligation, it's a privilege.
So, what will you do the next time you hear the sound of Reveille?