Salutes: how Airmen show respect for the flag

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dillon White
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  At 7 a.m. on any given weekday, the American flag is briskly hoisted in front of building 500 while "To the Colors" resonates from the base public address system. 

Montana wind ripples the colors, making the fabric pop. The Airmen raising it can feel its tugs and hear the rope whizzing through the eyelet at the top of the flag staff. 

To show proper respect during the raising and lowering of the flag, people driving on base must stop their vehicles. Military members outdoors must stand at attention, face a flag if one is in their line of sight or the source of the music and render a salute. 

During "Reveille" in the morning and "Retreat" in the afternoon, military members outdoors must stand at parade rest. 

"It's how we show proper respect for those who have fallen," said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Parker, NCO in charge of the base honor guard. "If people bolt inside when they hear 'Retreat' playing, they don't have pride and ownership in the military organization." 

Sergeant Parker continued by saying the base public address system can be hard to hear in some areas on base. He suggests a proactive approach to ensure people hear it and know to stop their vehicle. 

"Know what time it is - when it gets close to 7 a.m. or [4:30 p.m.], roll down your window and listen," Sergeant Parker said. "If you see someone else stop, stop." 

Airmen wearing the Air Force physical training uniform are not required to salute during these times, but for Airman Leadership School students, it is appropriate, said Staff Sgt. Lacie Collins, 341st Missile Wing ALS instructor. 

"We are usually at PT during retreat and we think it is best to salute," she said. 

For Airmen assigned to flag detail, the instructor offered tips on performing it correctly. Flag detail for the installation flag outside building 500 is done with four people, one of them needs to be an NCO. The American flag goes up first in the morning, and the Montana and Air Force flags go down first in the afternoon. 

"Don't lose your bearing or laugh while you're on flag detail," Sergeant Collins said. "It is serious and part of our heritage. We have to honor the flag and the people who have died for it." 

Sergeant Collins said when the flag is brought to the staff, the flag bearer needs to be in the middle so the flag is protected. 

According to www.USFlag.org, prior to Flag Day, June 14, 1923, there were no federal or state regulations governing display of the flag. 

Below are rules for flag display taken from the U.S. flag code. 

- It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. 

- The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is used. 

- The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on New Year's Day, Jan. 1; Inauguration Day, Jan. 20; Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, third Monday in January; Lincoln's Birthday, Feb. 12; Washington's Birthday, third Monday in February; Easter Sunday; Mother's Day, second Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May; Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, Sept. 17; Columbus Day, second Monday in October; Navy Day, Oct. 27; Veterans Day, Nov. 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, Dec. 25; days proclaimed by the President of the United States; the birthdays of states; and on state holidays. 

To learn more about the U.S. flag code, go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode04/usc_sup_01_4_10_1.html
To download recordings of "To the Colors," "Retreat" and other music performed by the United States Air Force Band, go to http://www.usafband.af.mil/recordings/.