Reveille time changes with flag’s move to Brooks Field

By KELLIE ETHERIDGE
Turret Staff Writer
kellie.etheridge@us.army.mil
Cadet Park outside of the U.S. Army Cadet Command’s headquarters at Fort Knox is receiving a few new additions—a flagpole, an M102 105mm howitzer and a tank. The howitzer and the tank are representative of the history of artillery and armor on Fort Knox. The transition of the installation’s senior command to Cadet Command Jan. 18 means that the official post flag detail will take place at the unit’s headquarters. The howitzer will be fired at the sounding of Retreat.
Another change that will take effect Friday morning is that Reveille will sound at 6:30 a.m., instead of 6 a.m.
“One of Maj. Gen. Mark McDonald’s priorities is to ensure Soldiers participate in physical training,” Fort Knox Garrison Commander Col. Bruce Jenkins said. “As such, he wants to give Soldiers, especially those who live off post, ample time in the morning to make it in for PT. This time change also falls in line with the rest of the Army. The PT time period is what Maj. Gen. McDonald considers ‘sacred’ because Soldiers should not be expected to carry out any other duties during that timeframe.”
Though many people may view the calls of Reveille and Retreat as signs to begin or end the day, or even as an inconvenience when they have to stop and render respect to the flag, Connie McDonald, the wife of Fort Knox’s senior commander, wants people to view retreat as an opportunity to remember and honor those who have sacrificed for their country. She also said that it’s not a “military thing” to honor the flag at Retreat, but an American thing, and the garrison commander agreed.
“It makes no difference whether you’re at a military ceremony or professional football game, everyone  renders appropriate honors,” said Col. Jenkins. “That’s what makes the United States special. We all love and take pride in our country.”
Mrs. McDonald recalled a story about her cousin’s daughter, Pfc. Sam Huff, who was killed in Iraq in 2005. Mrs. McDonald’s aunt and uncle came to visit her about a year and a half following Pfc. Huff’s death. Mrs. McDonald took them on a tour of the installation waiting for the 5 p.m. call—she wanted to share a Retreat ceremony with them.
Right before the call of Retreat, Mrs. McDonald pulled the car over at a position where they would have a good view of the flagpole and the cannon. She explained to her aunt and uncle what would happen at 5 p.m. including the music and people stopping and getting out their cars.
“I said, ‘They’re going to stop because the flag’s coming down and we have dedicated all retreats to the memory of those fallen,’” recalled Mrs. McDonald. “My aunt looked at me—she couldn’t believe it—and on this particular post, they chose to bring the flag down, and then bring it back up as long as we have people deployed.”
As the Retreat ceremony concluded, Mrs. McDonald told her aunt, “This is for Sam.”
Her aunt’s tearful response was in the form of a question, “So she’ll never be forgotten?”
“Not on an Army post,” Mrs. McDonald replied.
“It’s very important that we understand that there’s always going to be someone on an Army installation who has lost someone—a friend, a Family member, or just someone they heard about. (Stopping) is not an inconvenience,” said Mrs. McDonald.
Per Fort Knox Regulation 210-52, under paragraph 18: Military Courtesy, states: courtesy is respect for and consideration of others. In the Army, various forms of courtesy have become customary and traditional. It is important to render these courtesies correctly.
Retreat and Reveille ceremonies are old military traditions. They symbolize the respect Soldiers and citizens give to the national flag and to the country. Retreat is in two distinctive parts, the bugle call “Retreat,” followed by the bugle call “To the Colors” or, if a band is available, the national anthem.
When outside—not in formation—and “Retreat” is heard, Soldiers will face toward the flag and assume the position of “Attention.” During “To the Colors” or the national anthem, Soldiers will remain at the position of attention and render the hand salute if in uniform or place their right hand over their heart; hats will be removed if Soldiers are not in uniform.
If in a vehicle and the “Retreat” or “Reveille” is heard, the Soldier will stop, depart the vehicle and render the proper military courtesy. If on a bus or truck, the senior occupant will dismount and render proper courtesy. Civilians will stop, and at the request of Fort Knox leadership, are asked to depart the vehicle.
To ensure everyone’s safety on the installation roadways during Reveille and Retreat, Col. Jenkins said it’s imperative that everyone is informed of this tradition and participates.
“I’m confident that once a common level of understanding has been achieved, everyone—Soldiers, Family members, DA civilians, contractors and guests of Fort Knox—will gladly stop for a few moments and pay respect to our flag and what it stands for,” said Col. Jenkins.
“Yes, sometimes it’s raining and it’s cold and sometimes you have kids in the car—it may be harder on one day than it is on another. But it’s never too hard,” said Mrs. McDonald. “An opportunity to pay tribute is never an inconvenience.”

Photo by Steve Arel/Cadet Command

FORT KNOX WILL NOW OBSERVE REVEILLE at 6:30 a.m.