Patriotic Question

[dorf]

I was in San Diego Harbor this past Saturday morning. I was riding the current past the sub base when the loud speaker comes on for morning colors. As I sat there, with my hat over my heart and a line in the water, I thought to myself “what if I had a huge hit right now?”

After serving 20 years in the Navy I had never been in such a predicament.

My question to you all is:
What would you do?

I guess I would have to hope for a solid hook up and wait out the song.
By the way I went home empty handed for the day.

[Dan]

use your feet!

[dorado50]

My question to you is "would you rather be bitten by a great white or an alligator?" Is this for real....

[nmbrinkman]

Originally Posted by dorado50

My question to you is "would you rather be bitten by a great white or an alligator?" Is this for real....

Dorf... Kind of a strange question to ask here as some just don't understand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIG2mVE9vbs

Aside from reveille it's one of the early bugle calls you hear on ship/base/post and it is playing while the flag is being rasied. It demands the same respects as the national anthem and some take it very serious. Being a former Marine, I understand your post. Realize that many won't. I respected morning colors but taps was always my favorite. Maybe it was because it was played at night and it meant (most of the time) the day was done.

If you've got a couple minutes, here is the origin of Taps in the United States.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImeNKft0WaI

[wbrewski]

Originally Posted by dorf

I was in lacename w:st=" border=" 0="" alt="">lacename>San Diego lacetype w:st="on">Harbor lacetype>this past Saturday morning. I was riding the current past the sub base when the loud speaker comes on for morning colors. As I sat there, with my hat over my heart and a line in the water, I thought to myself “what if I had a huge hit right now?”

After serving 20 years in the Navy I had never been in such a predicament.

My question to you all is:
What would you do?

I guess I would have to hope for a solid hook up and wait out the song.
By the way I went home empty handed for the day.

We only have one country as free as this and I am thank full for all who make it this way, to answer you question, there are plenty of fish in the ocean, but only one country as free as this one. Just my 2 cents.

[sdcityboy]

got to go with wbrewsky, just ride it out.

[1Flatfish]

First of all, no fair, Taps was not part of the original question, but it was added and I can't even think of Taps without thinking of my fathers' military funeral. I simply can't hear Taps and not cry. It's beautiful to me.
In answer to your question Dorf, I will relate a short, and possibly funny story. Just recently, my wife, Belen and I made a deal with each other that I would give up caffeinated soda for Lent and she would not buy anything from QVC. We're not very religious, it was more of a challenge. Anyway, my wife didn't last long and was feeling guilty, and she asked me, "Do you think Jesus would forgive me?" My answer was, "Of course he would".
Dorf, should you continue to show respect even though a fish might be calling while you are at attention? It's a good question. I would let the fish be until morning colors finished, then pull him in if he was still there. It's just one fish.
How does my story relate? I think everyone who is serving and has served would understand if you couldn't wait and pulled him in a bit sooner. They would forgive you. If you got bit hard and in your excitement fought the fish during colors, in my opinion it would in no way diminish your patriotism. Your service proves you are a Patriot. I know I can get long-winded. That's my opinion.
Wayne

[Grego]

Patriotic question indeed. If I recall correctly, if you're on post (or sometimes right outside the gate since you can't come in anyhow since the guards are saluting) then you give the proper respects of...attention/salute....or maybe parade rest?, regardless of what's being conducted (ie. if your driving you pull over, get out of your car and go to attention or salute or parade rest? can't remember .

1. Since you're sitting in a kayak, you aren't able to give the proper respects anyhow, and 2. not being in service any longer, I don't believe you're held accountable to follow those traditions.

However, since you're patriotic like me, I know on a couple occasions while hearing morning colors as a civilian at the AFRC I just sat quietly and proud, and reflected on my personal service and loosely remembered the several times I had to serve as honor guard and raise the flag. And, you know what....if someone came up to me during that time and talked to me I wouldn't ignore them or tell him/her to shut the F up, I'd probably just tell them to hold on a second and then educate them on the tradition. So without a doubt, I personally would be setting the hook and thinking "Fish On!!!!...God is thanking me for my service"

[dorf]

I appologize for not making my post clearer.
Colors is the time (at 8am everyday and sunset every day) when the American flag is raised and lowered.

I am proud of my country and my service to my country.
My question was not what should I do (I have missed a lot of fish in my days and one more will not hurt me) but more to get a feel as to what others are doing. As I sat there paying my respects I had noticed a few boaters/fisherman paying their respects but there were also a few who did not.

I retired after 20 years in the Navy in September 08 but continue to work on a Naval Facility. The flag goes up to the tune of the National Anthem every morning. I alawys get chocked up with this song as it always reminds me of why I am here and where I have come from. Taps makes my eyes well up as well but, unfortunately, I am not at work until sunset.

Thank you all for sharing your thought on this matter. It is truly nice to hear stories about how you fell about your country. A few years ago my wife gave me a copy of Chicken Soup for theVeteran's Soul. I get chocked up every time I read it. I highly recomend this book to any one who has served or knows someone who has.