"Every time you see the flag and the jets flying over you get the goose bumps. That's everything we stand for up there," said Chief Master at Arms Charles Olson.
Olson is in charge of anti-terrorism security on base. He cannot discuss specifics but says protocols went into place to protect sailors when news of the Ft. Hood shooting came through.
Olson said, "Immediately when we hear that we're hit on our land, in state, when we're supposed to be fighting the war overseas it's just terrible."
"It's a pretty potent, pretty potent image," remarked veteran sailor Aaron Thompson as he looked up at the U.S. flag.
Thompson's thoughts were divided as he lowered the flag outside the Lemoore Fleet Reserve building in town. For him the Ft. Hood massacre comes days after he lost a close friend in service.
Thompson said, "That means a lot to me lowering it. It's kind of like my own personal honor to him as well."
Meanwhile, Lemoore's commanding officer Captain James Knapp said lowering the flag is a respectful gesture to all who give the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
Knapp said, "We're making the world a better place for our children, our grand children. It's important. It has to be done. It's the right thing to do."
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