The Star Spangled Banner....

[Bob Wright]

In Church this morning, we sang The Star Spangled Banner inobservance of the upcoming Fourth of July Holiday. Whenever I hear that tune, it brings up this memory.

We were formed up in platoon formation in the early predawn darkness, at "Oh dark thirty" as the NCOs liked to say. A sort of hush premeated the air, then a few notes on the bugle as the platoon sergeants called "Platoon, ten HUT!" Then the notes of a bugle sounding "To the Colors" while "Present ARMS!" was heard. The bugle call faded away, the was a dull red flash from the direction of the main gate immediately followed by a "BOOM" from a muzzle loading cannon. And the band played the National Anthem. And the last notes sounded, the order "Order ARMS!" Was called. And a new day was started in the US Army.

That was over sixty years ago, and that still comes to mind, and my backbone stands a little straighter for a few minutes.


Bob Wright

 

[wheelgun1958]

Used to sing all the patriotic song in elementary school.

 

[Hvymax]

Perfect time for Red Skelton's Speach.

 

[GasGuzzler]

We didn't sing it in school. We said the pledge of allegiance. The SSB was played at all the events.

I would link the most intricate and meaningful version but most of y'all would misjudge it and me so ....

 

[Fox Mike]

Went to a Catholic elementary and high school. We said the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord's Prayer each morning

 

[dobegrant.45]

John Wayne’s “America Why I Love Her”

 

[dweis]

Gee, in my ten years un the Corps (1960 - 1969) I was never in an assembly to listen to the National Anthem with a cannon being fired at 12:30 AM. Did they raise the flag? That would not happen in the Marine Corps. By the way, zero dark thirty is a specific time wth zero being midnight and 30 being 30 minutes after the hour.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I was Army and we never had formation and raised the flag in the middle of the night either.
We had reveille and raised the flag at sunrise.

 

[contender]

Re-read Bob's post,, the early pre-dawn darkness, as his NCO's like to call "o-dark-thirty" was a reference to sunrise,, not 0:30 am.

I too have a few wonderful memories of the colors being raised in the early morning, that were accompanied by cannon fire. One also involved a fly-over of a P-51 Mustang at a BSA National Jamboree in 1973.

 

[Bob Wright]

Gee, in my ten years un the Corps (1960 - 1969) I was never in an assembly to listen to the National Anthem with a cannon being fired at 12:30 AM. Did they raise the flag? That would not happen in the Marine Corps. By the way, zero dark thirty is a specific time wth zero being midnight and 30 being 30 minutes after the hour.

Well, in the Army, "Zero dark thirty" is whatever time of predawn darkness the platoon sergeant wants it to be. To be specific, "0030 Hrs" is thirty minutes past midnight. In the Marine Corps, that means Mickey's shorter hand is on the twelve, and his other hanc is on the six, and its dark outside.

As to standing reveillie, we did every weekday morning while in garrison. When afield, no reveille formation. And we were taught to salute the Stars and Stripes in the presentation of colors, or passing in review or as we passed by afoot. This indoors or out, covered or uncovered. It was the symbol of our nation, which we had vowed to protect, with our lives if necessary. The appearance of the flag was not to be taken lightly.

Bob Wright

 

[Colonialgirl]

At high school soccer matches, when the raised the flag and played/sang the National Anthem, i ALWAYS SALUTED as is my privilege as a veteran. Others placed their right hand over their heart.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

When I was with Son on Bremerton Naval Base and staying on the 4th floor of the base guest quarters. When reveille was played Son went to the window stood at attention and saluted while the Nation Anthem was played. Made me proud.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I never even heard the term " zero dark thirty " until the movie came out.
Depending on the mission or assignment , we used either military time ( 24 hour clock ) or Zulu time and I don't recall zero dark thirty on either of those.

 

[Bob Wright]

What the slang expression was meant to be was an indefinite time and meant "earlier than you'd like to be up" sort of connotation. Yes, when a definite time was specified, the twenty four hour clock dial was used.

As I said, this term was mostly used by NCOs, usually platoon sergeants. Otherwise, "First Call, 0500 hrs., reveille 0530, breakfast 0600 hrs. Taps 2200 hrs."

Bob Wright

 

[noahmercy]

I always took "oh dark-thirty" or "zero dark-thirty" to mean the time immediately prior to civil dawn, usually between 4:30 and 5:30. Since that's not when most folks rise who aren't farmers or ranchers, it's an "unreasonable" time to be kicked out of bed for the majority of the population.

 

[Watertender]

I usually get to bed by 5am but am working crazy shifts this week. A 4 hour stretch of sleep is long for me. If I get 3 hours and a couple of 20 to 30 minute naps I am good. My dad and grandpa were 5am risers for most of their lives. They would do more work before 8am than most people do in 2 days.

 

[Watertender]

We didn't sing it in school. We said the pledge of allegiance. The SSB was played at all the events.

I would link the most intricate and meaningful version but most of y'all would misjudge it and me so ....

Is that the version where the prisoners from the ship could see that Star Spangled Banner waving as Fort McHenry was being bombarded?

 

[wolfsong]

At any rate, Happy 4th of July.

 

[Pathfinder36]

Good Morning Bob -- Happy Independence Day! It bothers me when I hear young people refer to this day as the "Fourth of July" holiday because too many of them don't the significance of this day. Actually it troubles me even more that folks our age, commonly known as "Old Farts," who do know the significance but fail to call by it's legal name for the edification of those who don't.
However I also have memories of those "O Dark Thirty" formations. We were taught what the bugle call meant and why we gathered. Same thing for the Retreat Gun even when we were not in formation we still faced the sound of the gun or the flag and rendered the hand salute. Even today when I'm on a military reservation I still face the music, stand at attention and uncover. I'm happy you didn't mention parades as those still bring an occasional tear. Thanks for the memories.

 

[oliver507]

Happy Independence Day to all of the members of this fine forum! Bob Wright has brought back a double handful of good memories of my time in the service of this wonderful country!

 

[Jeepnik]

Currently, the USAF does it differently. Retreat is blown on a bugle and the The Star Spangled Banner is played at 1630 hrs. Taps. Is blown at 2100 hrs. All of this over loudspeakers that make it sound clearly several miles away. I don’t know what they are doing when the flag is raised as it’s not on the loudspeakers.

 

[Johnny-Baseball]

Is that the version where the prisoners from the ship could see that Star Spangled Banner waving as Fort McHenry was being bombarded?

Didn't know there was any other version.

 

[hittman]

Just think …. In a few short months we can revive the dead horse beating of Merry Christmas v. Happy Holidays!

I suppose people who wish you a Happy 4th know what the 4th of July represents; they’re just not quite as picky or finicky as some.

 

[coach]

Well, in the Army, "Zero dark thirty" is whatever time of predawn darkness the platoon sergeant wants it to be. To be specific, "0030 Hrs" is thirty minutes past midnight. In the Marine Corps, that means Mickey's shorter hand is on the twelve, and his other hand is on the six, and its dark outside.

Bob Wright

Nice burn.

 

[Bob Wright]

For many years I was duty bound to pick on the Marines. My sister's husband and my nephew, my borther's oldest son, were Marines. My brotherr, sister, and I were Army, although they were Army Air Force at the time. So, at family get togethers..........................................

Bob Wright

 

[Watertender]

Didn't know there was any other version.

This particular version explains the writing of the National Anthem.

 

[coach]

Actually as a kid in Catholic school in Baltimore we learned at least another verse or two of the Star Spangled Banner. Not that I can remember them now.
Being a Baltimore native the history of that battle was well known. A part that is little remembered was the Battle of North Point. A area close to where I grew up. The British had landed marines that intended the take the city and the fort from the northeast. They were met by militia that delayed and demoralized the British and as a result the navy retired after the bombardment failed to capture the fort.

 

[wolfsong]

People of education and refinement say, "Happy Christmas!"

History from the mid 1500s forward would agrue this contention.

 

[Bob Wright]

Is that the version where the prisoners from the ship could see that Star Spangled Banner waving as Fort McHenry was being bombarded?

That all sounds good and nice, but I have to wonder at the authenticity of the conversation as narrated. Seems to me some sort of disclaimer would be in order, or at least the source quoted.

It is stirring, and an actual event as history records, but the source should be given.

Incidentally, I have seen that flag, hanging in the Smithsonian. Now I see it is displayed on a table or a dias. One cannot see it without a feeling of total awe.

Between my two nieces here in Memphis, they have three flags, much more modern that that Old Glory, neatly folded into the triangle, stars outermost, and encased in a wooden frame, reverently displayed in their homes. One is for their father, one for their mother (my sister) and one for their cousin, my nephew.

Bob Wright

 

[Armybrat]

70+ years ago my family was stationed at Fort Brooke, Puerto Rico - actually within the walls of the 16th Century Spanish fortress of El Morro.
I loved to walk up to the emplacement to watch (at attention) the flag lowering while Retreat was played on the loud speakers and the cannon was fired.