Why is rendering honors to the flag such a big deal?

I believe it is a lack of pride and professionalism. I get out of my car when I'm driving on post to render honors. I take pride in it. It often reminds me what it means to serve.

I still get goosebumps when I render honors for the National Anthem. I'm a warrior at heart and I feel honored to salute my flag.

Obviously, not everyone shares our passion or professionalism.

Like most if not all regulations that people don't comply with, it's just a matter of convenience. That's where you've got to be the one to call them out and set the standard. Explain the why to them and hold them to the same standard for themselves and with others. If no one makes it a big deal then people will continue to care less and less.

It's refreshing to see I'm not the only who feels this way. I've been retired since 96 and it burns my ass when I see it happen today. About 4 weeks ago, I was the last one leaving our emergency operations center (Ft. Stewart) and as I was locking the gate right at 1700 hrs the music began over our giant voice. I stopped what I was doing and faced toward the Post Flag Pole. In the armor battalion motor pool next do, I saw 5 soldiers working on their M1 still and acting as if they didn't hear anything. So in my "old" 1SG voice, I shouted out, "HEY, YOU DICKHEADS HEAR THAT MUSIC AND KNOW WHAT TO DO, NOW DO IT!" They then jumped to parade rest and followed suit thru the end of Retreat. Afterwards I walked over to just talk with them when their 1SG came up wondering why there was a Civilian in the motor pool. Instead of busting them out, I said I was a former Scout/Tanker and was asking some questions and that I worked in the EOC next door. He had seen me before and we had nodded greetings. After I got back to the gate, one of the Soldiers came running over and said, "Thanks for not telling the First Sergeant, he would have had our ass!" I told him, I didn't see the need, I hoped I made my point with them, but next time, I will tell him and also about this time! He said, "Oh, it won't happen again!" Hopefully my old philosophy still works...handle problems at the lowest level. Every problem and correction doesn't have to go to the First Sergeant.