The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-11-17
DISCIPLINE AND RESPECT FOR
THE cOLORS.

execute promptly the lawful orders of
their superiors." (Army Regulations,
paragraph 10
Discipline Is not merely an obligation
imposed upon you; il is protection to
you. Your superiors, from the com
manding general down, are just as
much bound to respect the regulations
of the army as you are; this includes
respect for the rights of every soldier.
Discipline is the necessary rule or
life in the army and is not in the least
inconsistent with your own pride ana
self respect as a citizen and soldier.
The person whom you obey may he
an officer, a noncommlssioned ofhcer'
or even another private who has been
given authority 10 command you.
Whether you like him or not you must
respect his position and authority ana
reflect honor and credit on Hoursell
and your profession by yielding TO All
superiors that complete and unhesltat-
ing obedience which is the pleasure as
well as the duty of every true soldier.
manual Of NoncommisSioned ofilcerS
and Privates, paragraph p
Remember also that there are GER
tain restrictions upon the relations OF
officers and men which are necessary
part of army discipline. An Offcer, even
though in private life he may be your
warm friend and associate, is expected
not to mingle with you or other men III
the ranks on terms Of familiarity. This
is a rule that is often far from agree
able to the officer but he has no more
power to change it than you have. The
reason Is clear. An officer cannot
mingle with the men under him on IA
miliar terms without becoming better
acquainted and more friendly with
some than with others. He immediate
" lays himself open to the suspicion
Of favoritism-a suspicion which TENDS
strongly to undermine respect and au-
thority.
The discipline of the army is just
and impersonal. You will be treated
with fairness. Your rights will be re-
spected. On your part you must re-
spect the rights and authority con-
ferred upon others.
The American flag carried by regl-
ment is known as the "cOlOrs." 1t is
the symbol of the natio" and is treated
always with the deepest respect. An
other flag is carried which is the SYM
Dol of the regiment and Is known as
the "regimental colors." 1t is protect
ed with devotion second only to that
felt for the national flag itself.
Thousands of brave men in previous
wars have given up their lives to save
the colorS of their country and their
regiment from the enemy'S hands. AS
war is now conducted, it Is no longer
practicable, as a rule, to carry them
into battle and fight under their folds.
But they remain the chief visible signs
of the objects for which every soldier
Is willing to sacrifice himself. 1t is no
wonder that the colors are priced and
guarded with devoted care.
Ordinarily the cOlors when not m
use are kept in the office of the colonel
or in front Of his tent. During the
day when the weather permits they are
displayed unfurled. At night and dur
ing rainy weather they are ceased.
which means that they are furled and
protected by an oilcloth covering.
Officers and men passing an uncased
color always honor it by saluting. The
manner Of salute is the same as that
previously described. The same rules
of respect are observed by men not In
formation when the uncased colors art
carried by.
The colors are escorted in paradeS oil
on the march in campaigns by color
guard, consisting of two sergeants who
are the color bearers and two expert
enced privates selected by the colonel
The regimental color is always on thu
left of the national color.
Similar rules of respect apply when
ever 1.-THE Star-Spangled Banner" |:
played. Officers and enlisted men no
in formation stand at attention, facing
toward the music Except at retreat,
when they face toward the tiag). The!
salute at the first note of the anthem
retaining the position Of salute unit
the last note.
Every citizen of the United States
whether n civilian or n soldier, ShOult
give expression of his loyalty and devo
ton to his country by showing prope
marks OF respect for the colors ant
for the national anthem. When IL
civilian clothes, wearing hat or CAP
the correct thing 70 do is to remove
and hold it in the right hand oppO
site the left shoulder while passing al
uncased color or during the playing 0
the national anthem. If uncovered
stand at attention.
The common habit of rising slowly
standing in slouching attitude an
sometimes even carrying on CONVERSE
ton. when the national anthem i
played. Is an indication of gross ie
norance or i'll breeding. On the othe
hand, the man who stands silent and u
attention is not only showing prope
respect and setting an example whic
will have its effect on others, but |
also cultivating in himself the feeling
of pride and of patriotism which shoul
belong TO every citizen Of the country
1t goes without saying that disre
spect to the American flag cannot b
+olarotad IF any such instances com