For our last night, I wanted to see the Marines take down the flag at the close of the day, so I went to the headquarters building and asked the Officer on Duty what time they hold retreat.
He looked at me with a blank face and asked, "What?"
"When is retreat?" I asked again.
"Ma'am," he said. "I don't understand what you mean."
I quickly asked, "When are you taking down the flag?"
"Oh," he laughed. "we call it 'conducting evening colors.'" And as a look of recognition washed over his face, he laughed and said, "'Retreat' is Army speak! Today colors takes place at 1914 hours. The time changes daily depending on the sunset."
I thanked him for teaching me to speak Marine...and I marveled at the detail and respect paid to such a simple daily task.
There is a structure to the days at Pendleton that I will surely miss. I loved waking up to a trumpet playing Reveille. I loved hearing The Star Spangled Banner everyday. But most of all, I loved hearing Taps played at 10 o'clock every night. It reminded me of Girl Scout camp and happy, innocent summer nights. Somehow hearing that song every night made me feel secure and hopeful that this good day had ended, but another good day would follow.
There is a structure to the days at Pendleton that I will surely miss. I loved waking up to a trumpet playing Reveille. I loved hearing The Star Spangled Banner everyday. But most of all, I loved hearing Taps played at 10 o'clock every night. It reminded me of Girl Scout camp and happy, innocent summer nights. Somehow hearing that song every night made me feel secure and hopeful that this good day had ended, but another good day would follow.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hill,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
No comments:
Post a Comment