Retreat

My unit participated in retreat today; for you civilian types, this is a ceremony to show respect to and lower the flag as well as to signify the end of the duty day. We all form up in formation at the flag pole, the national anthem is played, we salute, they lower and fold the flag, and we're dismissed. It sounds simple and actually is but it means so much. Retreat is a ceremony that signals to all the the duty day has ended, before everybody had a watch this told all the soldiers that work for the day was over. It starts with the "To the Colors" bugle call which used to summon the troops the the flag pole. Then the Anthem is played as the flag is being lowered; the flag details goal is to lower the flag at a rate so it reaches the bottom of the pole on the last note of the anthem. From the first note of the anthem till the flag is off the pole all the troops are at attention, rendering a hand salute in respect to the flag. After the flag is off the pole, the troops drop their salute and go to parade rest. At this time the flag detail commences folding the flag in the traditional triangle fold. Once the flag is folded, the flag detail marches off with the folded flag and once they're out of sight the troops on formation are dismissed.

I know this ceremony is a military deal but it does indicate our respect in the flag. Our flag is a symbol of our country, our people, and our freedom. We in the military hold a lot of respect for our flag. Even though it's just a few yards of cloth it is our battle standard and the blanket for our dead; to us it is our country. If you feel flag burning is right, well that's your choice, just don't do it in front of me.