Comments on: Flag Code change—Veterans can hand-salute the flag

By: S. Armstrong

S. Armstrong — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:08:14 +0000

What strikes me as ironic is that there seems to be so much controversy over who may and who should, vs. who may not and should not among men and women who fought to protect our freedom! Does being free mean that I have the right to do those things of which you approve, but should refrain from doing those things of which you do not?
As a retired senior noncommissioned officer, it is not for me to say whether it is “right’ or “wrong” for someone over whom I have no direct military authority to salute the flag, wear their clothing or pick their nose. I fought for your freedom to make that choice for yourself. I may not like the way you choose to honor the flag (or not honor it), but that is one of the side effects of freedom – individual choice.
As for me, I’m not aware of there ever having been any legal restriction on my saluting the flag while in civilian clothing. I have been doing it since I retired in 1996, and will continue doing so, whether someone else likes it or not! That, my friends, is a tiny part of what we fought for.

By: OIF Vet

OIF Vet — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:18:50 +0000

I 2nd that. The change to the law doesnt make it unlawful, it was never authorized and I am dumbfounded that a CSM would tell you otherwise. I was a scout and in JROTC, befor I was old enough to join. Saluting in uniform with those organizations is fine. But you are not a veteran because you were in ROTC and as you may respect it and think you understand you can not possibly understand until you serve. If you have enough honor to want to salute the flag then go down to the recruiters office and earn the right. This stikes me the same way as kids that wear dog tags but have never been in the service. If you want the respect and honor to do certain things then go earn it.

By: Stan Drew

Stan Drew — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:55:02 +0000

Until they start shooting at Boyscouts…consider yourself admonished!!!

By: Daren

Daren — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:38:31 +0000

As a civilian and member of the “never having served” I too have felt the need and desire to render a hand salute at the flag that so many have served under and paid the ultimate sacrifice; to those who deserve such respect.

Having been in uniform from about age 8 (as a scout) until age 17 (in ROTC and like units), I learned to respect the flag, display, post and treat it properly and learned about what it represents. From about age 12 through my last years in high school, I rendered a hand salute whenever the colors were passing whether I was in or out of uniform, yet as a civilian, I now am unlawfully doing so?

I don’t claim to have given to my country as much as those who have served and I don’t want to take away from them in the slightest. I believe a hand salute is the ultimate sign of respect for someone but also something that I value and respect with the understanding of what it took to keep old glory flying free.

I asked a former command sergeant major whether he thought I should salute the flag and he said to do it with pride. Until I am otherwise admonished, I do so out of respect for my protectors past and present and the freedom, liberty and security for which it and they stand. So I may be the only person not having served that will render that salute proudly and if restricted not to do so, silently and virtually.

By: 23.6 million military veterans in the United States - One World Syndicate Community Forums

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:53:37 +0000

[...] I just became aware: Vets now can give the hand salute. Glad this was resolved. See link. The Daily Flag Blog Archive Flag Code change�Veterans can hand-salute the flag [...]

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:33:31 +0000

Thank you writing Mike, and thank you for serving the United States of America.

I wrote an update to this story October 20, if you want to read it also. I can’t hyperlink from here, but if you’ll copy and paste the url below into your browser, it will take you there, or you can scroll backwards from the last entry on the home page until you reach Oct. 20

http://www.flagsbay.com/flag/2008/10/20/veterans-salute-the-flag-clarifying-the-change-in-the-us-code/

Best Wishes, Deborah

By: Mike Hite

Mike Hite — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:13:34 +0000

I an a Viet Nam era veteran (by definition an old guy) and I applaud the change to the law. The hand salute is the greatest honor bestowed within the military and I will proudly show that honor to my flag and my country. It makes my years in the Air Force just a little more meaningful now that I can now do this. Thank you.

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:22:51 +0000

Dear Mr. Bednarz,

I don’t know what offended you, but I ask that you please read my article again.
Be assured—I have no personal opinion on the change in the Flag Code that permits veterans to render a military salute to the flag. In the article above I was attempting to briefly outline the change in the law, and the news surrounding it at the time. I have not followed subsequent discussion or controversy. As a veteran, it is your choice to salute the flag with a military salute or by holding your hand over your heart.

The new law (Public Law No. 110-181 changes Section 9 of title 4, United States Code) reads: by striking “all persons present” and all that follows through the end of the section and inserting the following: “all persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.”

The change that permits veterans to render a military salute to the flag does not affect how you fly the flags at your home.

Thank you for writing,
Deborah Hendrick

By: Don Bednarz

Don Bednarz — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:23:05 +0000

It is a shame that we now have veterans and active duty personal going at each other about who should salute the flag. If we want to get picky why not stop all those that salute the flag without any hat. So if the American Legion and the VFW are against it they should go after the ones that are at their functions that salute with no hat on. My American Legion Post has many that do. So If I am wearing a hat that might have my ships name and picture on it why shouldn’t I, as an ex service man be able to salute something I am proud of???

I was at the MCAS MIRAMAR AIR SHOW over this weekend. The section I sat in was a VIP section with about 500 people. When the color gaurd passed 75 ex and active duty people stood and saluted all under cover. When we were done the people in the area we were in made us feel good by saying thank you for serving.

I have a uncle who servived the Battan Death March and he has saluted the flag everytime it has come by or is presented while under cover. If you want to pick on someone pick on him, he has been to hell and back, he is 92.

So as long as I have any type of hat that has a military in signia or anything to do with the military, I will salute the flag that I have defended wheather you like it or not!!!!!!!!!

I fly the flag 24 hours a day along with the Navy Flag. It seems now that I should take down the American Flag and the Navy Flag because of the proplem that we are having on the proper way to honor our flag?

Ex Navy,