Photo By Staff Sgt. Kimberly Johnson | Staff Sgt. Daniel A. Warmke of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 37th Infantry...... read more read more
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Spc. Kimberly Johnson
37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - When members of the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team arrived at this Southwest Asia duty station for a yearlong tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, they inherited a duty which they undertook with a great deal of reverence-rendering honors to their nation's flag.
"When we began our flag detail, it needed work," said 1st Sgt. David R. Thomas of the brigade's Headquarters and Headquarters Company.
They troops decided the first step in improving the flag honors was to conduct a class on formal procedures including how to fold the flag correctly, who salutes and when, and where each member of the detail should stand. They quickly mastered the procedures.
"My Soldiers want to get it right each and every time," Thomas said. "They go the extra mile to ensure they are in the proper uniform and they look and act professional."
The troops not only fly the American flag, but also the state and territory flags.
"As of today, we have flown over 310 flags for different service members," Thomas said.
As the duty day comes to an end and the sun sets on the camp, "Retreat" is played and the colors are put to rest until they rise again with the following morning's "Reville," signifying the start of the duty day.
"The honors for 'Retreat' mean quite a lot, not only to me, but for all of my Soldiers," Thomas said. "There is a great sense of pride in each of us when we fold the American flag. It reminds us of our past, why we are here, those who came before us and gave their all."
If the Soldiers had it their way, the honors would be taken a step further.
"My Soldiers have even asked why Taps is not played at night," Thomas said.
"That tells me they are not just going through the ceremony day after day with no meaning. This group of Soldiers takes this quite serious."
As the brigade prepares to return home from their yearlong deployment, so do they prepare to entrust the duty to their replacements in the 45th Fires Brigade, Oklahoma National Guard.
"This program my Soldiers do here is successful because of their sense of duty, honor and pride," Thomas said. "I could not be prouder of them. They are what a great unit is made of."
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2008 16:43 |
| Story ID: | 26512 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 819 |
| Downloads: | 751 |
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