Marines reflect on patriotism

Photo By Stephen Ellmore | Marine Pfc. Booker folds the flag during retreat ceremony at Fort George G. Meade, Md.  

FORT MEADE, MD, UNITED STATES

02.27.2014

Story by Stephen Ellmore 

Defense Information School

FORT MEADE, Md. - The stars and stripes fluttered briskly in the sky that was transforming to a deep orange glow as the sun slowly slipped behind the horizon. The Marines stood at attention awaiting their next command while a soldier readied the cannon for the ceremony known as “retreat.”

A trumpet blared precisely at 5 o’clock, signaling the beginning of the ceremony. Powder ignited as the second note played, blasting smoke from the cannon with a fiery roar. The trumpet stopped as the anthem began. A young Marine called, “present arms!” The others snapped a salute as the halyards reached high for the flag that waved proudly above their heads just a moment ago.

While some recognize retreat as marking the end of the duty day, few are familiar with the origin of the ceremony and how it relates to our military’s legacy of patriotism. For many the respect we pay to our flag has a deep connection to why we serve.

“Flags have long held special significance for warriors,” said Robert T. Jordan, retired Marine Corps major and senior faculty instructor at the Defense Information School here.

In combat, the flag is referred to as the standard and is where the troops rally for battle, he said.

Soldiers would defend the flag with their life and given the chance, would give their own to capture an enemy’s, Jordan said.

In addition to signaling the end of the day, retreat represents a time to regroup and rest, said Jordan.

Patriotism has different meanings for different people. For some, it is the sole purpose for why they serve.

When asked what patriotism meant to him, Marine Pfc. Booker Thomas III, a public affairs student at DINFOS said, “I've always had a huge sense of nationalism. Since before I could remember I've been waving the American flag with pride, and I've always been sure to respect it."

Thomas said it bothered him when people would not stand and give the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag during school.

“I think that as an American we have a duty to protect the flag,” said Thomas.

“Webster defines patriotism as a cultural attachment to one's homeland or devotion to one's country,” said Marine Pfc. Christopher J. Greer, a public affairs student here.

Greer described the textbook definition as too broad for his taste.

“Patriotism is having a sense of belonging and knowing where home is,” said Greer. “America is where my family and friends live, and where I grew up.”

Thomas said he joined the Marines because it was something that always appealed to him.

“I love this country and I am honored to have the opportunity to protect it,” said Thomas.

“That's as simple as it gets,” he said.

On a similar note, “The Marine Corps was a chance for me to give back to America the freedom that it gave me,” said Greer. “I want to help this country and make an impact to better my home and pay back all the people who died for the opportunities that I have.”

Still, for some patriotism goes much deeper.

“I was born at a special time during the depression of the '30s, grew up during World War II in the '40s and joined the Marines in the '50s,” said Jordan. “Those three decades made me who I am today. I watched ‘the greatest generation’ march off to war.”

During World War II, families and neighbors came together to do everything they could to help contribute to the war efforts. Food and supplies were rationed to provide materials for the war efforts, so communities planted vegetables in small plots affectionately referred to as Victory Gardens.

“My family and I were engaged in that war, planting our Victory Garden and raising our own rabbits and chicken because meat was rationed,” said Jordan. “I watched blue stars in the neighborhood turn to gold stars as our servicemen paid the supreme sacrifice in battle and their families suffered on the homefront.”

Families with loved ones fighting in the war would hang flags in their windows with a blue star for each member serving. If a member died in action, the star would be changed from blue to gold to honor them.

The important thing about those times, said Jordan, was that we were all engaged in the war regardless if we were military or not.

“I haven't seen that since,” he said.

The next time you hear the sound of retreat, stop what you’re doing and turn toward the music.

Take a moment to visualize the star-spangled banner that Francis Scott Key wrote about when he witnessed our nation’s great flag still flying after a fierce night of fighting. Then remember the warriors who gave their lives still protecting it all these years since.

• Date Taken: 02.27.2014
• Date Posted: 02.27.2014 14:59
• Story ID: 121267
• Location: FORT MEADE, MD, US