Rita knew she was supposed to attend a ceremony to receive a medal for bravery or something, but she felt she'd wasted enough time on base and dressed in civilian clothes instead.
She didn't even own a parade uniform anyway.

On her way out the gate the guard, wearing a parade uniform in honor of the occasion, saluted her. Another meaningless gesture. She saluted him back with a much more meaningful salute of her own as she walked past on the way to the taxi stands.