Comments on: Veterans salute the flag—clarifying the change in the U.S. Code

By: Tom Waskom

Tom Waskom — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:14:14 +0000

Sure is a lot of reading over something ment to be so simple. I spent time in two branches and served on active duty for 23 years. When on active duty, I followed the regulations of the Branch I was serving at the time. The purpose for changing the code / law was to let (veterans) know that by serving their country in the United States Military, they have earned the right to render a military salute during the raising, lowering or passing of my flag, during the National Anthem, or during the Pledge of Allegiance. As written the salute given by a veteran (not currently in the service) is while covered or un-covered in any type or style of clothing. Having the right doesn’t mean you have to. Either way, salute or hand over the heart is ment to show respect and is accepted as such. It is the individuals decision. As far as what the commander of your Branch of Service decides, that is also up to you the veteran.
As for me, my President signed into law my right to salute and that is exactly what I am going to do.
If a veteran is showing respect for his flag, his country or his comrade, only a bean counter question it.
3 years USMC, 20 years Army
18 years Federal Law Enforcement
1 year playing golf and fishing.

By: erleclaire

erleclaire — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:46:15 +0000

If one reviews the code at the very beginning of this string of comments it is clear as to Uniform and Civilian attaire, and options. Key word is “may” that is used in the prescription of tendering a salute and or hand over heart. If not a veteran, hence no salute, and out of uniform, it is hat at left shoulder and hand at heart. Again, as a woman veteran, I salute, and it is to those with whom we have served with that I honor. Moreover, the principles and liberty that has come at so high a price.
Side note: TN has now issued a Women Veteran license plate. One now adorns my bumper and is drawing a lot of attention.

Estelle:)

By: Sgt Dana Billotte

Sgt Dana Billotte — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:32:03 +0000

With regards to the discussion of being “covered” or “uncovered” – as a female, there are very few occasions when I find myself wearing a cover, especially when I would be attending an honored event like our upcoming Veterans Day celebration. The very fact that the the regulation assumes veterans are wearing civilian clothes means that a cover would be strictly optional. I do not feel that should prevent me from being able to render a salute to the flag that I served honorably for 14 years. So you can bet that I will be saluting at our outdoor flag raising this Wednesday!

By: Harold (Pappy) Harmon

Harold (Pappy) Harmon — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:51:40 +0000

Deborah, As ex-military I have wanted to salute the flag while in civilian clothes. I was told that was forbidden when I was discharged. Saluting the flag, to me, is the highest honor I can pay to the flag an all the former military, living and dead. I am so glad now to know that it is permitted; I plan to do it regularly.

Few understand the pride, honor and dignity felt and displayed by our military personnel, active and non-active. The flag is part of that, indivisible like our nation.

I am very proud to have service my country honorably and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Harold (Pappy) Harmon
U.S.A.F. 1959-1963

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:05:46 +0000

Robert, I have not been actively following the ‘veterans saluting’ news, but I am not aware of any new laws regarding changes in saluting protocol.

By: Robert Ballantyne

Robert Ballantyne — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:34:05 +0000

Has a law been passed stating a veteran can salute the flag with hat on inside a building .

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:51:19 +0000

Hi Greg. I apologize for the delay in getting to your question.

As a veteran, you have been given congressional authority to salute if you want to. As a Marine veteran—if you want—you can voluntarily choose to follow Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps who wrote:

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS PROVIDE A LINK TO THE PAST; THEY BOND
MARINES WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE WITH MARINES WHO WILL CARRY THE TORCH
THROUGH THE FUTURE. ANY LOSS OF TRADITION OR IMPROPER OBSERVATION
OF CUSTOM BLURS OUR IDENTITY AND WEAKENS US AS AN INSTITUTION.
THROUGH THE FAITHFUL ADHERENCE BY COMMANDERS AND EACH INDIVIDUAL
MARINE, WE PRESERVE OUR IDENTITY AND REPUTATION AS A UNIQUE AND
ELITE FIGHTING ORGANIZATION.

Greg, I encourage you to read all the comments that have been left here. I think they will help you reach a decision.

By: erleclaire

erleclaire — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:02:11 +0000

Even though after leaving the service and being out of uniform one may feel they are still part of the body, they are not. That is one is not active, at duty, or under UCMJ, and again is a civilian. Hence, military regulation is not applicable. As a matter of honor for having served, a veteran is allowed to salute as was the custom within the service, but allowed to do so as a civilian in civilian attire.

Again, I speak for myself, as I was often found bending the rules, but I salute those who I remember and those who have paid the most for those of us who enjoy Liberty and the Freedom to use our voice.

Estelle

By: Greg

Greg — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:33:43 +0000

How does this legislation apply to Marine veterans? According to Marine Corps regulations, while on Active Duty and not in uniform, a Marine will stand at the position of attention, with their right hand placed above their heart (headgear removed). So does this legislation authorize Marine Corps veterans to render a hand salute? The question goes further due to Marine Corps regulations requiring any Marine to NOT render a salute unless they were covered (wearing headgear) or under arms. Since most Marine veterans will no longer be under arms, this raises the question about how this legislative change will impact us.

Any thoughts?

Respectfully,

Greg McNeil.
gpmcneil@gmail.com

By: David J Snyder

David J Snyder — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:04:58 +0000

Since I left the military I have always held my hand over my heart for the flag and then, at the end, rendered a salute to her. I did this because I had been taught to only salute when in uniform. I’m glad to hear of this change since I feel that a crisply rendered salute shows my respect to my nation and my pride in having served her. I’m not doing this to get people to look at me – just to let my flag know that I still support her.