Are you a five o’clock dodger or a true patriot? Published Oct. 10, 2008 By Maj. RASHÓNE TATE 56th Communications Squadron LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- It's five o'clock in the afternoon and the first note of To The Colors is playing letting everyone know Retreat is about to start. What do you do? Are you the one standing in the doorway waiting for the music to stop playing? Are you the one driving with your radio so loud you can't even hear the music? Are you the one who walks outside, hears the music and pretends you forgot something and goes back inside the building? Or are you the one who faces the flag or music, snaps to the position of attention, and raises your right hand in a respectful salute or places your right hand over your heart proudly and listens to the national anthem? The playing of retreat signifies the end of the official duty day, but most importantly, it is a military tradition of honor to pay respect to our nation's flag. It is a time to reflect for just a few moments on how proud we should be to be Americans, in the land of the free, and not forgetting fellow Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force personnel, past and present, who've died for our nation's freedom. Our nation's first flag was made in 1775, then redesigned by George Washington and sewn by Betsy Ross in 1776. The following year, Congress declared Old Glory as our nation's flag and the name has gained popularity throughout the years of our American history. But it wasn't until 1813 that Old Glory became the inspiration for a song. In 1813, one year before the British invasion on Fort McHenry (located in the entrance of Baltimore harbor); Maj. George Armistead wanted a United States flag measuring 30 feet by 42 feet. The purpose of this flag was to show the enemy not just his location, but to let them know he was fully prepared to defend his fort. Unfortunately, history tells us, the British had invaded and captured Washington. The flames of the entire area, including the Capitol and White House, could be seen 40 miles away. Once daylight came there was a sight of hope for all to see. Old Glory was still there blowing in the breeze on Fort McHenry. A gentleman by the name of Francis Scott Key, moved by the sight, took it upon himself to write the lyrics to Star-Spangled Banner, now our nation's anthem. Although the Star-Spangled Banner has been around for almost 200 years, it wasn't until 1931 that then-President Herbert Hoover declared the Star-Spangled Banner as the U.S. national anthem due to its patriotic grassroots. Yes, that's right; it's only been 77 years since our nation's national anthem became official. But its popularity and the sense of pride it instills in all Americans goes back to its inception in 1814. By now you're probably asking yourself, "What does this have to do with me?" The answer is, as an Airman, you should be proud to be an American and excited about defending your country twenty-four seven. Taking a few minutes of your day to reflect and thank those Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force personnel who are fighting and fought for this land's freedom represents a sense of pride and ownership in what we do -- "Train the World's Greatest F-16 Fighter Pilots and Maintainers While Deploying Mission Ready Warfighters." As military members we are a reflection of society but held to a higher standard. How would it look to them to see an Airman dodging the playing of the national anthem, disrespecting the very flag we embodied in our military culture. Many have died before us and many will die with us, but we, as Airmen, must band together and make the effort to take a few minutes at the end of our duty day, before rushing home, to pay respect to our nation's flag and fallen heroes. Finally, I would like to share the fourth verse of the national anthem. It is the very goal we all have tried or are trying to achieve with every war we've fought or are fighting. "Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand, Between their loved homes and the war's desolation; Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'nrescued land, Praise the Power that has made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"; And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."