Take two minutes – pay respect to our colors Published Aug. 22, 2012 By Master Sgt. Anthony E. Pivirotto 377th Security Forces Group KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. -- Everyone knows what we should do when we hear the National Anthem played in public forums. If in uniform outdoors, military members automatically pop to attention and render a hand salute, and if in civilian clothes, whether military or not, normally, each of us automatically places our right hand over our heart in silence. However, I am not sure that we are as consistent in honoring respect to the colors when we are in our cars. As a senior noncommissioned officer, I am highly impressed with the overall pride and professionalism of the people who comprise Team Kirtland and I want to take two minutes to address reveille and retreat with you. Every day, the installation plays reveille and retreat over the Giant Voice system. Reveille is always a two-part song, with a bugle call and playing of "To the Colors," and similarly, the retreat ceremony is two parts - "To the Colors" and the National Anthem. Because of our diverse missions, I understand if some of us don't understand what to do during these short periods of the day. In both ceremonial observances, each of us is expected to pay respect to the American flag and the music played in its honor. Air Force Instruction, 34-1201, Protocol, states that "when outdoors, military members in uniform, will stop at the start of Reveille and the National Anthem, come to attention and render a hand salute. When traveling in a car, the instruction also requires the driver to pull to the side and sit quietly during the playing of the music. The Protocol instruction also clarifies that when a base, like Kirtland, flies the flag 24-hours a day, that coming to a stop in your vehicle is a tribute to the music "To the Colors," because the flag is currently displayed. How long is two minutes? Over the course of my career, unfortunately, I've observed people either rush to a car at the start of reveille or remain indoors at the first sound of music, but really, it's only two minutes of time to stop, reflect on why we serve in our individual capacities, and pay respect to a national treasure. Again, the protocol instruction states "proper respect must be displayed to the flag" and we should, as a matter of privilege, automatically take action to honor our traditions, our country and the freedoms the flag stands for in our daily lives. There are many sources of information for paying respect to our national colors, and AFI 34-1201, AFMAN 36-2203 and AFPAM 36-2241 are available at https://www.e-publishing.af.mil for a more detailed reading on what is required during reveille and retreat. Our base proudly displays "Old Glory" 24 hours a day, and at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, we stop to honor our flag. I encourage each of you to take the time to stop, reflect, pay respect, and honor the red, white and blue. After all, it's only two minutes out of the 1,440 minutes we receive every day.