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piploverLiving on a military post has some unique and intersting facts of life. The fact that a person can actually walk across the street without getting smushed is one of them, as people are required to stop for a person, and not speed up, as per the usual.
But one of the most powerful things about living on post happens at 1630 every day. At this time, the flag is lowered.
When we hear the music that is played across the post, whether in the motor pool or in a car driving down the street, we stop. People pull over, get out of their cars and stand to attention. If you are in civilian clothes you still stop what you are doing. Everything becomes silent, save for the cries of "Flag!" being bellowed to those who didn't hear the music.
As the second half of the music is played, all those in uniform salute, facing the flag if you can see it, or the music if you can't. Those in civilian clothes place their hands to their hearts.
And for those few moments, all across the post, it is quiet, save for the music.
I have been in conversatins before where a person stops midsentence, salutes the flag, and then, when the music is done, turns back to me and resumes their sentence as though nothing had happened.
It is a small thing, but one that gets to me every time. Just as when they play taps at 2200 every night, if I hear it, I pause for a moment and listen, and try to remember why I am here.
Not profound things, but something I felt like sharing. Hope I didn't bore anyone.
But one of the most powerful things about living on post happens at 1630 every day. At this time, the flag is lowered.
When we hear the music that is played across the post, whether in the motor pool or in a car driving down the street, we stop. People pull over, get out of their cars and stand to attention. If you are in civilian clothes you still stop what you are doing. Everything becomes silent, save for the cries of "Flag!" being bellowed to those who didn't hear the music.
As the second half of the music is played, all those in uniform salute, facing the flag if you can see it, or the music if you can't. Those in civilian clothes place their hands to their hearts.
And for those few moments, all across the post, it is quiet, save for the music.
I have been in conversatins before where a person stops midsentence, salutes the flag, and then, when the music is done, turns back to me and resumes their sentence as though nothing had happened.
It is a small thing, but one that gets to me every time. Just as when they play taps at 2200 every night, if I hear it, I pause for a moment and listen, and try to remember why I am here.
Not profound things, but something I felt like sharing. Hope I didn't bore anyone.
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Date: 2004-05-29 02:26 pm (UTC)But without the support of my family, I never would have made it this far.
I think it is harder for the older generation to see their youth doing things they never would have considered. I'm glad that your Aunt had the courage to join the Army, though I don't have the courage to jump out of airplanes. I'm a whimp.
I think it takes more courage to follow your own path and go against the ideas of those you love than some showing how strong a person is.
However, it is fun to see a person's face when you shock them!
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Date: 2004-05-30 12:13 am (UTC)