Retreat! 1700hrs

The group of these civilian dressed soldiers are really me and several other Chaplains on our way to dinner. The reason we are standing around that car is because it is 1700hrs.

What that really means is that it's 5:00pm and the flag is being lowered. When we hear the bugle play "retreat" we are to stop whatever we are doing and stand at attention and face the direction of the music or the flag if it's in sight and render respect.

We happened to be on our way to dinner when we heard the bugle play, so we stopped the car and got out and since we are NOT in uniform we just stood at attention until the music stopped.

If we would have been in uniform we would have had to salute.

By the way, on another note, that is the rental car I was issued. A 2007 Chevy Malibu. Very nice and comfortable. It will be hard to go back to the Astro Van, but then again I would have a tough time letting Coda ride in a 2007 Chevy Malibu.

-John