| Ask Carol |
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| Thursday, 31 December 2009 | |
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Dear Carol: Almost every morning around 7:30am and every evening around 7:30pm I hear what sounds like a loud trumpet playing “Taps” or some sort of military song and it seems to be playing over a loud speaker. Unfortunately, it awakens my babies. Do you know what this is? Is there some code that regulates this? Signed, Concerned Mom Dear Concerned: The music you are hearing originates from Hill Air Force Base and is played on military bases to give proper honor to the nation’s flag being raised and lowered. According to Hill’s Public Affairs Office, the recorded bugle call at 7:30am is “Reveille” and at 5:00pm “Retreat”; a recording of the “Star Spangled Banner” is also played after the “Retreat”. “Taps” is played at 9:00pm. “Taps” is sounded nightly in military installations at non-deployed locations to indicate that it is “lights out”. While on a base, when you hear “Reveille”, “Retreat” and the “Star Spangled Banner” being played, all activity pauses. Vehicles stop during both “Reveille” and “Retreat”. Civilians stand at attention, face towards the nearest flag or music source and place their right hand over their heart. Military members also stand at attention, remove their hat, face the flag or music source and salute until the flag is lowered or until the music ends. According to Air Force Protocol, both reveille and retreat ceremonies constitute a dignified homage to our national flag from its raising in the morning to its lowering in the evening. Hopefully, this will help you better understand the purpose behind the music, and your babies will rest easier knowing the deep tradition they are “witnessing”. Because Hill Air Force Base is a federal installation, city code has no jurisdiction in regulating sounds coming from the base. If you have a city-related question or comment that you’d like addressed in a future edition of the city newsletter simply email your question or comment to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with the words “Dear Carol” in the comment line. “Dear Carol” will respond to your question/comments in the newsletter, as space allows. Please direct your questions/comments to city-related topics only. P.S. If you don’t have access to a computer you may call in your question/comment to the city receptionist at (801)525-2700. Citizen questions/comments will remain anonymous |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 21 February 2010 ) |
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