Posted on 10/31/2008 4:59:43 PM PDT by SandRat
10/31/2008 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Veterans and servicemembers not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect in October.
"The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation's armed forces," said Dr. James B. Peake, secretary of Veterans Affairs. "This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation's flag."
The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year's provision also applied to servicemembers while not in uniform.
Traditionally, members of the nation's veterans service organizations have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag while wearing their organization's official head-gear.
The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed Oct. 14.
The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform servicemembers during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008. (Courtesy of VA News)
Interesting tidbit. I always preferred the hand salute to putting one’s hand over one’s heart.
Amazing that I made it without being arrested these past 38 years.
Guess that passing this law was a good thing though if the Obamaton wins!
Keep Em Flying!
Awesome!!! I get to utilize this new law THREE TIMES next weekend at Phoenix Interantional Raceway. The truck race, the Nationwide race and the Cup race! COOL! Thanks for the post!
I can’t wait to take advantage of this. I live in fairly liberal Tucson, Arizona and I just know it’ll piss off some old hippie with a grey ponytail.
Yeah. . and we know the “BIG O” can’t do one and won’t do the other. - That tingle up the leg that Chrissy Matthews got is more like a cold chill going up my spine when I hear the “BIG O” flapping his piehole.
I guess someone finally noticed all the old farts with tears in their eyes who remained covered and saluting in the PROPER manner.
I think I will make a copy of this law to carry around in my wallet just in case Im ever challenged. ;-)
How to salute by Ronald Reagan:
“Bring it up like like honey then throw it out like sh##!”
Nobody could snap one better than the Gipper.
And, Thank you, SandRat, for your service. I'm honored to be on the same list with you.
Thank you.
Good thing our legislators put time and effort into important matters such as this, rather than trivia like ending the deficit or keeping America safe.
A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to “The United States of America”, for an amount of “up to and including my life.” ~Anonymous
I imagine the new law includes any honorably discharged former active duty serviceman, not just those who served during national emergencies.
Does it?
If so, I may just have to start saluting again.
(USAF, ‘75-’80, Torrejon, Spain)
Thanks for the post!
The new law includes active duty, retired, national guard or reserve and any honorably discharged former active duty servicemember - PERIOD!
It certainly should.
Thanks for serving.
I never made it to TJ. But, I spent 2 weeks TDY in Moron.
I loved Spain.
I find this to be very good news indeed!
At the sound of our national anthem, or in viewing the colors passing; I have always placed my hand over my heart when in civilian attire, and each and every time with great desire, wanted to salute, yet discipline and profound respect to my comrades in uniform said otherwise. This revelation is deeply appreciated and will be instituted with the highest degree of respect and initiated at the earliest opportunity possible.
About damn time!!!
Thanks for posting - I knew nothing about this and I just came back from our local high school football game - next week I’ll be saluting !!!
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