Getting re-blued -- a real 're-treat'

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Elizabeth Aptekar
  • United States Air Forces in Europe News Service
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) --  “Did you get chills, ma’am?” the academy commandant asked. “I feel them every time we do this.”

I did get chills and tears did well up, and I instantly felt re-blued.

I had just participated in a noncommissioned officer academy class's retreat ceremony, one of many areas the NCOs train on.

When I was asked to participate, I hesitated a moment because I was there to work on a video shoot and felt that it would be pretentious of me to participate while on a job.

“No, really, ma’am, we’ll do this one in your honor,” the commandant said, as she exuded leadership, pride and enthusiasm in her actions.

Thankfully, her encouragement and my instincts told me I should take advantage of this opportunity set before me, so I did.

As I stood in my position, I soaked in the entire scene. The chief locked into her position beside me and I gave the cue to start the retreat ceremony.

As the flag detail lowered the flag efficiently to the last note of the music, I was proud and inspired to see our NCO corps in a professional training environment.

The combination of smartly uniformed troops and the sound of the national anthem is one of the most awe-inspiring of military ceremonies.

Retreat is a daily ceremony that remains a tradition at installations as our nation’s colors are lowered at the end of the workday. The ceremony constitutes a dignified homage to the national flag from its raising to its lowering. When you hear the national anthem, you are listening to a melody that has come to symbolize the finest qualities of our nation and everything it stands for.

It was my honor to participate in a beautiful flag-lowering ceremony, to properly end the day and honor everything our flag represents, to honor those who’ve served before us, to honor those who serve today and to honor those who will serve to continue our great way of life for our future.

Thanks to the chief and to all of our NCOs for the opportunities you offer me and all officers to grasp leadership opportunities that put us in a cherished place.

I encourage anyone able to participate in the training our NCOs are getting to do so.