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Edwards to resume Retreat ceremony

  • Published
  • By Kenji Thuloweit
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
In the coming weeks, Edwards will reinstate a long-standing tradition with a daily Retreat ceremony to signify the end of the duty day.
 
Monday through Friday, an audio file will be played over the Giant Voice System at 4:30 p.m. The file is approximately two and a half minutes long, in which Retreat will be played, followed by the national anthem.

The Retreat ceremony serves a two-fold purpose. It signals the end of the official duty day and serves as a ceremony for paying respect to the flag. Because the time for the end of the duty day varies for different base agencies, Col. Jerry L. Gandy, 95th Air Base Wing commander, has designated 4:30 p.m. as the specific time for Edwards' retreat ceremonies.
 
Upon hearing Retreat, the following actions are required of military members and the base populace:

For military members in uniform, at the first sound of Retreat, stop where you are and turn to face the flag. In a case where the flag is not visible, turn in the general direction of the flag or the music. Stand at parade rest. When the Retreat music concludes, come to attention and render a salute when the first note of the national anthem is played. Lower your salute when the final note is finished.

When not in uniform, protocol still dictates that you stop and face the flag or music out of respect. When the national anthem is played, do not salute. Come to attention and place your right hand over your heart. Remove your hat with your right hand and hold it at your left shoulder while your right hand is over your heart.

Exception: service members and veterans not in uniform may render a salute if they so desire during the hoisting, lowering or passing of the flag.

Those in physical fitness uniforms will follow the same procedures as if they were in uniform.

When driving, on the first note of Retreat, bring the moving vehicle safely to a complete stop as you would if an emergency vehicle were approaching. Then put the car in park. Base guidance is that people turn off any music playing in the vehicle. Everyone inside the vehicle, including the driver, should remain seated and still until the last note of the national anthem is finished.

Base leadership has decided not to place speakers around 55 mph zones.

"We avoided most high speed zones due to safety issues," said Master Sgt. James Joyner, 95th Air Base Wing command post superintendent. "There is only one 55 mph zone that's included, and that's right near the museum. Mainly it's going to be Main Base, housing and some speakers on South Base."

Civilian employees on base are asked to participate as well. Upon hearing the start of Retreat, civilians should generally follow the same procedures as a military member who is not in uniform, with the exception of coming to attention.

"The minimum expected action is to at least come to a standstill and remain silent while the national anthem is being played," said Sergeant Joyner. "At the end of the day, it's about honoring the flag. It is about customs and courtesies to the flag and remembering those who came before us."