Page 49 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2016

they appreciate it. When initiated by a junior member — whether enlisted or an officer — the junior person holds the salute until the senior person returns it and puts his or her hand down. Saluting is done when outside or inside if you’re called into an office.”
Reveille and retreat are also time honored traditions that mark the beginning and end of the official
day. “You face the flag and salute if outside. If you can’t see the flag, you face the direction of the music. You stop and put on your blinkers if you’re in an automobile. In your office, you pause and sit quietly,” Hutchinson said. “You don’t want to get caught violating that dignity and respect;
it symbolizes freedom, pride and
the memory of those who helped us achieve freedom.”
Reveille — a military wakeup —
is played in the mornings and the national anthem is played for retreat at 5 p.m. However, Hutchinson and Davidson stress that Airmen don’t necessarily jump up and leave at 5 p.m. Taps is played on the base at 9 p.m. to signal bed time.
Each branch of the military has an Honor Guard that plays a vital role
in maintaining tradition. Members
at Keesler are recommended by their commanders. It’s an additional duty for these Airmen who use personal time to train and travel to participate in military funerals, parades and other events such as the Biloxi Shuckers home games. There are four teams
with members serving one year. “For the funerals, our motto is to
honor with dignity,” said Davidson, who is Keesler’s Honor Guard superintendent. “I tell new folks that a lot of what we do is in small towns where we may be the only military people the residents have seen, so the reputation of the Air Force hinges on their professionalism.”
Those who qualify for honor guard funerals are veterans, military retirees and those who died on active duty — a category that receives full military honors, which requires a 20-man team. The Keesler honor guard covers an area from the Alabama/Mississippi border to the Louisiana/Texas border and as far north as Jackson, Miss.
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