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Reveille and Retreat deserve customary courtesy
Posted 7/26/2012 Updated 7/30/2012
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by Mary Lou Gorny
Hilltop Times Editor
7/26/2012 - HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Talk to any military member or family member on base about Reveille and Retreat and you get consistent replies about how they feel about the sound of a bugle playing Reveille in the morning followed by "To the Colors" or Taps in the afternoon and the corresponding requested customs and courtesies.
As Team Hill members go about the business of supporting the war fighter, stopping and standing at attention if on foot, or pulling over to the side of the road, shows respect for the flag. Military members who have deployed to other countries have often stood at attention for other countries' national anthems for much longer periods of time while serving overseas.
Two to three minutes of time does not seem so much of an inconvenience, especially when you've lost a friend or comrade when they gave their lives as the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.
Just asking a few people got some responses.
Tiffiny George, a dental assistant at the Hill AFB Medical Clinic and military spouse said, "I think it shows respect for our country and patriotism. You need to show the proper respect especially on an Air Force base."
Tech. Sgt. Anthony Diamond, at the Airman Leadership School said, "It's a custom and courtesy, paying respect to the flag, paying respect to the men and women who are serving our country and serving our nation. The song, in its entirety is maybe two to three minutes long."
He questioned why anyone would be on an Air Force base who did not understand the custom and courtesy.
"It's just one of those things -- that paying respect to the flag and the men and the women -- and it definitely (concerns) me when others are driving along and not stopping," Diamond added.
Command Chief Max Grindstaff, 75th Air Base Wing command chief, explained that Taps originated during the Civil War. It was a bugle call used to signal the end of the day and for soldiers to turn in for the night. Called "Extinguish Lights" it consists of 24 notes.
Over time it's evolved into more of a time to pay respect for those who have fallen in the line of duty. It also gives us all a moment to take a knee and reflect on those fallen and our collective sacrifices.
As we hurry about our day or head home at 5 p.m., the command chief asks that we be conscious of this playing over the base public address system and pull over if driving, or if on foot, render the proper customs and courtesies.
He wants Team Hill to be reminded of the importance of this practice.
It's the right thing to do. |
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