Evening Colors

Tonight we took a small side trip to the Naval Base San Diego at 32nd street (Tim's base) NEX to look for some authentic USMC gear for Brandon. Although, we weren't too sucessful in finding anything, we did spot Tim's old ship, the USS Cape St. George (just transferred from Virginia to San Diego). We also were just in time to see the Evening Colors ceremony, five minutes before the sun sets. I have only seen it done once before back in Virginia on the Norfolk base, but tonight was like seeing it again for the first time. I got goosebumps and my Mom and Aunt Kimmie had tears in their eyes (don't ask, it's in our blood...right along with marching bands). So tonight I did a little reading up on the cermony itself: Appoximately five minutes before sunset, the word is passed "First call, first call to colors". The guard of the day forms near the point of the US flag. Immediately before sunset, "attention" is sounded on the bugle or one blast is blown on a police whistle. All persons in uniform within sign or sound face the flag and if not in formation, render a hand salute. Boats in the vicinity lie to or proceed at the slowest possible speed. The order to "Execute" is then given and the flag is lowered slowly. If music is available, the National Anthem is played or the bugler sounds "Retreat" with the flag starting down on the first note and timed to reach the bottom at the last note of the music. When the flag is completely lowered and removed, the bugle call "Carry On" is sounded, or three blasts are given on a police whistle. Salutes are terminated and ceremony is over.