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Lance Cpl. Gage V. Thompson, station Provost Marshal's Office
military police officer, folds the national colors after performing
the flag lowering ceremony at sunset here May 29, 2012. The national
colors represents Americans' past, present, and future. It
represents the love and blood they have shed for the freedoms that,
at times, are taken for granted. Photo by USMC Pfc. Nicholas Rhoades
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IWAKUNI, Japan (5/31/2012) - The United States of America adopted
the national flag June 14, 1777. Since then it has been tirelessly
honored and admired partially because of the mystique surrounding
its customs and courtesies.
The National Colors represents
Americans' past, present, and future, it represents the love and
blood people have shed for the freedoms that, at times, are taken
for granted.
Service members know what to do when the flag is
raised in the morning, or lowered in the evening, but many don't
know what to do when colors pass them, such as in a ceremony or when
uncased.
“When colors are passing, like a color guard, all
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are supposed to salute at the proper distances,” said Sgt. Maj.
Peter W. Ferral, Headquarters and Headquarters
Squadron sergeant major. |
Color guard has extensive training on how to handle the
colors and after ceremonies they are taught to cover the
flags immediately and not to walk around with them.
“After ceremonies, if colors pass it is important to still
show proper respect,” said Ferral. “But sometimes, Marines
will just walk by the colors as if it is just a rag hanging
on a stick.”
Marines in the color guard not only know
the proper way to present colors, but also how to retire the
colors and properly store them.
“We complete constant
training that tests our drill movements and our ways of
respecting both the national colors and the Marine Corps
colors,” said Cpl. Roy A. Covington, III, a Marine Corps Air
Station Iwakuni color guard Marine. “We are shown proper
ways of folding, casing, uncasing, and simply maintaining
the colors of the United States and the Marine Corps.”
There are many places aboard the station which present
colors, either the National colors or the Marine Corps
colors, but sometimes flags become tattered and station
residents may be unaware of the proper disposal of the
colors.
“The Marine Corps colors are supposed to be
scarlet and gold, not pink and gold,” said Ferral. “The
proper way to retire old colors is to rip it up, in a
concealed location where no one else can see, and then burn
it privately. That way you have the ashes and can properly
throw away the ashes.”
From battlefields to front
porches, no matter where the colors have flown, they will
always represent our country and Corps as the land of the
free and the home of the brave.
By USMC Pfc. Nicholas Rhoades
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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