Reservist guards reverence for country's colors Published Oct. 1, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Crystal Charriere 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Master Sgt. Dave Graham, of the 419th Honor Guard, saluted with the utmost respect for his country's colors after he placed a tattered flag in flames. Graham, a craftsman with the wing's medical squadron, says he gained a greater understanding and respect for the flag when he joined the Air Force 29 years ago. "People are not being taught what the flag means and what our freedoms mean," Graham said. "We need to get back to having respect for the flag." Graham has been actively involved in the honor guard for 12 years. "I wanted to represent the Air Force Reserve because I realize so much more what our freedoms meant," he said. Graham was named the 419th Fighter Wing's Honor Guard Member of the Year for 2010. As an honor guard member, Graham participates in funerals, retirements and plays a major role in ceremonial flag retirements, which are performed when a flag is no longer fit for display. A flag retirement ends with the burning of a flag because, throughout recorded history, the greatest dishonor was to have your country's flag fall into enemy hands during battle. So rather than have their flag captured, soldiers burned it out of respect and honor for their flag and country. Typical of a flag retirement, Graham will lower an old flag, after which the honor guard folds it and passes it to Graham. He places a flag in a brazier that he and his brother constructed. After the ritual, Graham drives miles away to a mountain range, so he can find a special resting place for the ashes, where no one will ever agitate them. "I take the ashes in a shoebox and bury them in the woods because you're supposed to put them where they won't be disturbed," he said. "I take pride in our country, and I'm proud of what I do and proud to serve this country that has been so good to all of us." Stay connected -- Join the 419th on Facebook and YouTube