Some people in the area have noted that not everyone pays proper respect to the nation's colors during Retreat, the time of the day when the flag is lowered.

"At lunch, a few military co-workers and I were discussing the problem of people on base not stopping in the afternoon when the National Anthem is played," wrote Kate Mason in an e-mail. "It wouldn't hurt for a gentle reminder pointing out the significance behind why cars are to stop."

Mason is right, and herewith is said gentle admonition.

On McChord Field, when Retreat is sounded, all personnel in uniform and outdoors must face the flag and salute during the lowering of the colors. Upon the first note of the National Anthem, or "To The Colors," all personnel who are not in formation should stand, face the flag (or the direction from which the music is coming) and salute.  The salute will be held until the last note of the music is played. Those in civilian clothes should face the flag (or the sound of the music) and stand at attention with the right hand over their heart.

Specific to Mason's and others' observation, all vehicles in motion on McChord Field should come to a stop at the first note of the music, and the occupants should sit quietly until the music ends.

If indoors during Retreat, there is no need to stand or salute.

On Lewis Main and North, the following courtesies are to be followed by both Soldiers and civilians:

• When the first note of Retreat is sounded, come to attention, face the flag (or the direction from which the music is coming) and render a salute (soldiers) or place the right hand over the heart (civilians)

• For those individuals in vehicles, the following courtesy is to be observed: Cars (and motorcycles) are to stop, and individuals are to dismount and salute

All of the same courtesies apply when wearing civilian clothes except for the placing of the right hand over the heart as opposed to saluting.

For more information about the specific courtesies to be rendered at Reveille and Retreat, consult the Army's Field Manual 7-21.13, chapter 4 or Air Force Manual 36-2241, pp. 181-182.

If you don't feel like reading the regulations, just remember the following words written via e-mail by Heather Hebdon - a military spouse whose husband always stood at attention when Retreat was playing: "When we forget to stand at attention and face toward the flag, we are letting not only this generation - but future generations - forget the reason why our flag is raised and lowered each morning and night.

We are allowing persons to deny the importance of this action.  The recognition that this flag will not lower to any other country, but will always raise in the light of freedom and lower in the memory of those who made that freedom possible."

That's reason enough to stop the car at the sound of Retreat, get out and salute.