by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
5/28/2013 – SOUTHWEST ASIA — U.S. and coalition forces deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing came together May 27 here during a Memorial Day retreat ceremony at Memorial Plaza.
The ceremony included a few words from the 379th AEW commander, Brig. Gen. Roger H. Watkins, an invocation and prayer by the wing chaplain, Col. Bruce Glover, and taps played by Chaplain (Capt.) James Bastian.
Military retreat ceremonies serve a twofold purpose: to signal the end of the official duty day and to pay respect to the American flag. Retreat was first used by the French Army and dates back to the Crusades.
U.S. and coalition forces deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing take part in a Memorial Day retreat ceremony, May 27, 2013, at Memorial Plaza in Southwest Asia. The ceremony included a few words from the 379th AEW commander, Brig. Gen. Roger H. Watkins, an invocation and prayer by the wing chaplain, Col. Bruce Glover, and taps played by Chaplain (Capt.) James Bastian. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
U.S. and coalition forces deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing prepare for a Memorial Day retreat ceremony, May 27, 2013, at Memorial Plaza in Southwest Asia. Military retreat ceremonies serve a twofold purpose: to signal the end of the official duty day and to pay respect to the flag. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Brig. Gen. Roger H. Watkins addresses U.S. and coalition forces deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing during a Memorial Day retreat ceremony, May 27, 2013, at Memorial Plaza in Southwest Asia. Watkins is the 379th AEW commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Honor guard members deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing attend to the colors as Chaplain (Col.) Bruce Glover gives the invocation during a Memorial Day retreat ceremony, May 27, 2013, at Memorial Plaza in Southwest Asia. Glover is the 379th AEW wing chaplain. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Honor guard members deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing attend to the colors as Chaplain (Col.) Bruce Glover gives the invocation during a Memorial Day retreat ceremony, May 27, 2013, at Memorial Plaza in Southwest Asia. Glover is the 379th AEW wing chaplain. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Honor guard members deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing attend to the colors during a Memorial Day retreat ceremony, May 27, 2013, at Memorial Plaza in Southwest Asia. Military retreat ceremonies serve a twofold purpose: to signal the end of the official duty day and to pay respect to the U.S. flag. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
U.S. and coalition forces deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing salute the American flag during a Memorial Day retreat ceremony, May 27, 2013, at Memorial Plaza in Southwest Asia. Military retreat ceremonies serve a twofold purpose: to signal the end of the official duty day and to pay respect to the U.S. flag. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Airman 1st Class Lena Lau secures the American flag during a Memorial Day retreat ceremony, May 27, 2013, at Memorial Plaza in Southwest Asia. Lau is a member of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing honor guard. Military retreat ceremonies serve a twofold purpose: to signal the end of the official duty day and to pay respect to the U.S. flag. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Airmen 1st Class Lena Lau and Justin Grahn fold the American flag during a Memorial Day retreat ceremony, May 27, 2013, at Memorial Plaza in Southwest Asia. Lau and Grahn are members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing honor guard. Military retreat ceremonies serve a twofold purpose: to signal the end of the official duty day and to pay respect to the U.S. flag. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
U.S. and coalition forces deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing salute the American flag during a Memorial Day retreat ceremony, May 27, 2013, at Memorial Plaza in Southwest Asia. Military retreat ceremonies serve a twofold purpose: to signal the end of the official duty day and to pay respect to the U.S. flag. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Benjamin W. Stratton 