According the Army Regulation 600-25 -- Salutes, Honors and Visits of Courtesy, Soldiers in uniform will stop, stand at attention, face the flag or music and render a hand salute once Reveille begins playing. Civilians and Soldiers not in uniform wil...

Rendering honors to the colors is a time honored tradition dating to the Army's beginnings.

"Bugle calls have been a tradition since the birth of the Army in 1775, becoming a part of the foundation for our standards and discipline," said Command Sgt. Maj. John P. Drawbond, the Garrison senior enlisted leader. "Members of our Armed Forces have variations of customs and courtesies within their own services, but one we all share is rendering honors to the flag."

"We are part of a disciplined culture that pauses two times a day to render honors as our American flag is hoisted and lowered," Drawbond added.

Reveille is sounded in the morning as the flag is raised, while Retreat takes place every evening as the flag is lowered. "To the Colors" is sounded immediately prior to the beginning of Retreat. On some installations a cannon will signal the beginning of Reveille and Retreat.

According the Army Regulation 600-25 -- Salutes, Honors and Visits of Courtesy, Soldiers in uniform will stop, stand at attention, face the flag or music and render a hand salute once Reveille begins playing. Civilians and Soldiers not in uniform will stand at attention, face the flag or music and place their hands over their hearts. The same procedures should be followed when "To the Colors" begins. When Retreat begins, uniformed Service members will salute the flag, while civilians place a hand over their heart.

As part of that requirement, drivers and occupants of vehicles will stop their cars, step out and render the correct honors when the music starts.

"We invite our civilian workforce and visitors to join us in those two short but special moments of the day," Drawbond added. "When Reveille and Retreat are played, it should feel as if time has stopped as we pay tribute to a great country and the men and women that have given the ultimate sacrifice defending it. There are a lot of our brothers and sisters that would love to be with us today to salute our flag, so make them proud by upholding tradition and enforcing discipline."