Attention to Colors

Now, most of my civilian friends will look at this heading and think, "Aw, so Luke is paying attention to colors--how artistic! Are the leaves already changing color in Florida?" However, in military-speak, this means, roughly, "Stand at attention because they're raising the flag!"

The other day, our class was playing Ultimate (frisbee) with another class (actually the Basic Diving Officer class which includes fellow NROTC UC Berkeley alum Mike Bailey...), and generally having a fun time. It really wasn't all that different from any other Ultimate game I've played (...especially because usually I'm playing with people who don't know what they're doing, and we certainly didn't know what we were doing. What? You think I'm stupid enough to take on Hunt and the other SMUT-ers?) Anyway, totally normal game...until the trumpet starts playing Colors.

Suddenly, the entire field went silent, and we all stood at attention as the red, white, and blue made its way up the flagpole. It was a fleeting moment, but one that reminded me that we aren't just a bunch of 20-somethings (well, and a few 30-somethings, and one 40-something) playing a game, but that we have all pledged to defend the nation for which the flag stands. For all the Bush Administration's co-opting of the flag for "patriotism," I think for most military people, the flag will always be above party or partisanship...and I thought that was pretty special.

A kinda' sappy moment, brought to you by the letter E and the number 32.

Posted 17:34 PST