Gustavo Adolfo Aybar
When an officer died in the line of duty, as recruits we'd stop everything, put pencils
down, rise out of our chairs to learn about what happened, as we stood at attention.
One recruit would read, so-and-so officer died on so-and-so date, for x or y reason.
Our minds became rafts at sea; death used to increase the duration of attention.
The position requires the following: heels together, legs straight, knees slightly bent,
body and head erect, hips level, chest lifted and arched, shoulders square. Pay attention.
We practice this posture as a sign of honor and respect. The discipline of extending
the courtesy to colors, music, places, or individuals reveals them worthy of such attention.
A flag ceremony is one way to demonstrate allegiance and love for one's country.
Flag codes require recruits to render the hand salute or simply stand at attention:
eyes forward, arms hanging alongside the body, wrists straight, forearms and thumbs resting
along the first joint of the forefinger, along the seams of the trousers. This is to stand at attention.
During the Capitol Hill insurrection, among the many symbols of hate on display, an upside-
down U.S. flag was carried around; a sign of extreme distress. It demands our attention.
During my four months of training at the police academy, my fellow recruits and I stood
at attention for fallen officers, forty-two times. Forty-two times we stood at attention.
Recruit Aybar, remain silent and still, until instructed not to. The only thing allowed
is thinking and blinking. Only thinking and blinking is allowed when you stand at attention.