GUIDON staff

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If you are on Fort Leonard Wood during reveille and retreat, prepare to get serious about honoring the U.S. Flag. On May 1, traffic control checkpoints were established at key intersections during retreat in order to halt traffic on duty days.

“Traffic control across Fort Leonard Wood will enable moving vehicle traffic to safely pull over; allowing drivers and passengers to dismount and render the proper honors to the United States colors,” an official said.

In an earlier interview, Sgt. Maj. Richard “Mitch” Prater, former Maneuver Support Center of Excellence G3/5/7, said many people on post see others stopping during reveille and retreat, but they don’t understand why.  

“The control points are an effort to re-instill pride, tradition and discipline across the post in an area that for quite some time has gone unrecognized. Some of our newer Soldiers and their Families haven’t been exposed to this,” Prater said.

Reveille is a ceremony honoring the U.S. flag when it is raised, at 6:30 a.m. Retreat is at 5 p.m., when the flag is lowered. Checkpoints will only be set-up during the evening ceremony Monday through Friday, with the exception of federal and local training holidays.  

When ceremonies (excluding military funerals) are being conducted, moving vehicles will be brought to a halt. Military passengers and drivers will get out and render the appropriate courtesy.

“Everyone that is physically capable of dismounting from the vehicle should dismount. Soldiers will render the proper military salute. Family members should face the flag or the audible direction of the music being played and then place their hand over their heart,” Prater said, “If they can’t get out because of a physical disability or safety concern, then just simply pull off safely on the side of the road until the last note of the music is played.”

When riding in buses and trucks, only the senior occupant has to exit and render the appropriate courtesy.  

 “All personnel on the installation are reminded to pay particular attention during these times for the safety of Soldiers manning each traffic control point,” an official said. “All personnel who fail to render proper honors will be reported to the G3 sergeant major by vehicle make, model and license plate number for disposition.”