PL 110-181: Veterans may now render the military salute to the flag.

U.S. Government Printing Office Web Site ^ | 28 Jan 2008 | United States Congress

[TexasRedeye]

I treasure the time I spent as a soldier and I am thankful for those who serve today. I will put my hand over my heart. I am a civilian now.

Obviously a salute is "optional" but I will salute. Even though I have been a civilian for many years, I am still an "old soldier" at heart.

[vetvetdoug]

I remember USAF Regulation 35-10 required us to wear our dress blues every June 6th. Just another quirk in the USAF regulation. All came to a standstill every evening when the colours were retired. Now I can again offer our flag a salute....nice.....

[metesky]

I’m not a veteran, never having had the honor to serve, but at our annual parades, including the 4th, I’m constantly disgusted by the fact that only myself and a few other old farts remove our caps when the flag comes by. Sometimes I just feel like yelling, but I save that for the phoney politcos marching.

[cyclotic]

I’m not a veteran (one of the biggest regrets of my life) and I envy you guys for being able to render a proper salute.

I’m honored to be a scout leader, so I do get the opportunity to properly respect our flag when in the scout uniform

[TXnMA]

"And out of the corner of my eye, I saw my grandson also standing at attention, saluting the flag as it was being lowered to half-mast across the cemetery. It brought tears to my eye."

Hmmm... I've been wondering how my eyes are going to fare the first time I take advantage of this law...

[Ben Reyes]

The thought of my grandson growing up to be a patriot like his Dad, also a U.S. Marine who just came back from his third tour from Iraq, is enough to bring tears to this old fart.

[TXnMA]

"I’m honored to be a scout leader, so I do get the opportunity to properly respect our flag when in the scout uniform"

I'm an old Scouter, and I now serve by doing flintknapping ("arrowhead-making") demonstrations at BSA events.

A few years ago at a Jamboree, when I saw the honor guard starting to form, I put down my tools and joined the Scouts on the field where they were assembling.

I was standing at attention, rendering the civilian salute to the Anthem [it has been decades since my Scout uniform last fit] , '-) when a couple of female Scouters (in full uniform) came sauntering toward me (with their backs to the flag) -- yakking away... So I called up my old 'parade ground voice' and advised them that was time to face the flag and salute. And, even though they had a hard time deciding which salute (civilian, Cub or Scout) to render, they at least turned around and gave it a try.

After the ceremony, I "read them the riot act", reminded them that they were supposed to be setting good example, and suggested that they go home, study the Scout Manual section on flag etiquette -- and teach it at their next pack/troop meeting. Sheepishly, they promised to do so...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last year, when I went to the assembly field, one of them came up to me, and proudly pointed out her troop (which was lined up in a perfect rank -- at parade rest). After she and her scouts had rendered picture-perfect honors, she came over to my demo station and thanked me!

Sometimes it amazes me -- what a gray-bearded old codger can get away with -- and accomplish -- by setting an example! ;-)

We now have new opportunities...

[TXnMA]

Even though I intended this post primarily for veterans, I neglected to post it to the VetsCoR Forum. Is there any way you can fix my oversight -- especially since tomorrow is Independence Day...?

TIA!

TXnMA

[cyclotic]

Thank you sir, you just made my decision for me. Something similar happened to me last week at Cub Scout day camp. I mentioned to the camp director that perhaps we could spend a few minutes at flags to teach the younger cubs and not a few parents what their responsibilities are to the flag. She later asked if I would consider teaching a session on scout skills including flag etiquette at next years day camp.

I’m not sure how well it will work to keep it engaging for the kids, but I’m going to do it.

[TXnMA]

"I’m not sure how well it will work to keep it engaging for the kids, but I’m going to do it."

The kids "eat it up" -- especially if you can show them a video clip of a real military honor guard raising and lowering the flag... You will be amazed at how sharp those kids can be when emulating real heroes!

Better yet, invite in some live heroes from the VFW or American Legion for a demo. Your "kids" will make new friends - and have some genuine heroes to emulate...

[doorgunner69]

Not to mention uncovered................

[LonePalm]

I'm waiting on the phone to Curtis Sliwa who is subbing for Sean Hannity and will put this out to Sean's audience.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[TXnMA]

I missed Hannity’s show today. Did you get to talk with Sliwa?

[Volunteer]

God bless you and thank you for serving.

[Volunteer]

Thank you for serving and God bless you.

[11Bush]

I will be rendering an Airborne salute to my flag this Independence Day parade, and I will do it with pride, respect and humility. It is good that every Vet should have that right. I’ve always felt better saluting our flag because I earned that right through blood, sweat, and tears and I’m proud of it. I would have died for this great nation if I had to, but I lived. There are names on a wall in Washington D.C. that didn’t, they were my brothers and I owe my life to them. I think of them often and I honor them daily. We lose the finest in war, but war keeps us free. This is the price of freedom. They paid so that we can live, God bless everyone of them. Remember, as you see our flag that the blue is for honor, the white is for purity, and the red is for the blood shed to procure and sustain liberty. God hold and keep my brothers I may be there soon.

No words I could put together would say this any better. I will therefore use yours again. Airborne!

[LonePalm]

Yes I did. I was the last caller of the day.

I got the word out to the SH audience.

Tomorrow, I will be in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium, saluting the flag and watching the Yankees beat the Red Socks off of Boston.

Thanks for the great post.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[gnarledmaw]

Good. Veterans, should they wish, should be distinguishable from the rest of the citizenry.

Now how do we get this to be a recognized part of our culture?

"I think the court ruling[Heller] is correct — all law-abiding people should be able to keep and carry a firearm. It would be a deterrent for those non-professional thugs who think they can bully people around the U.S.

When you see someone wearing a gun, you know not to mess with them and normally the people who wear a gun knows and respects the laws of the land. 99.9 percent of the military — active, prior and retired — know and respect the law. It should be a no-brainer for all that have served to openly carry as a sign of deterrence and respect."

Michael Solon, retired USAF

[TXnMA]

"Now how do we get [the Second Amendment] to be a recognized part of our culture?"

I'm doing my part:

Folks wonder why I always carry my sidearm when I go out into the woods. This morning, they got their answer:

While working with a surveyor -- laying out a future archaeological dig on Potter's Point on Caddo Lake, we encountered a BIG rattler, right where we were working. His head was moving too much to be sure of a good hit, so the first 9mm round went in his body (as big around as my fist). That stopped him, and the second round (through his head) ended his career.

I brought him home and called everyone (including our guests) out to see him (so the kids would know what to avoid). I also shook his (13) rattles so they would know the warning sound... Then I quipped, "Now you see why I carry -- even when there are no two-legged snakes around!" '-)

[gnarledmaw]

On the Fourth

you shot

a rattle snake

with 13 rattles.

Im not one to believe in omens but... um...