Tripler celebrates Flag Illumination

By Capt. Eren McBride, Tripler Public AffairsFebruary 7, 2014

Tripler Flag Illumination Ceremony
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Tripler Flag Illumination Ceremony
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Tripler Flag Illumination Ceremony
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Tripler Flag Illumination Ceremony
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On 5 February 2014, Brigadier General Doyle and Tripler ohana gathered to celebrate Tripler's flag illumination.

On military installations, it is tradition to raise and lower the flag at the beginning and end of the duty day in conjunction with the "Reveille" and "Retreat" bugle calls. Bugle calls, which date back to the Revolutionary War, are used to herald daily military routine like assembly, meal times, sick call and taps. Although Reveille and Retreat were not originally associated with the flag ceremony, today it is standard for honors to be rendered to the colors during those calls and that unlit flags be raised and lowered respectively.

Tripler recently installed an illumination system, which allows the flag to remain displayed both day and night. "It seems only fitting since, as our night staff can testify, there truly is no 'close of business' at a hospital," said Doyle. "Reveille" and "Retreat" will continue to play at the normal scheduled times and Tripler will render honors as appropriate.