OK, it's about all branches, but mostly the President is around Marines in his daily activities.
I never met a President, but my recollection is that when I'm in uniform any senior officer, even if civilian clothing, is due the respect of a salute.
Am I forgetting something here?
No disrespect intended for Ike or any or Reagan's predecessors.
I would love to see Ronald Reagan salute anything one more time. I miss him.
I never fail to salute former President Clinton when I see him on the TV---with only one finger. SAAAA-Loot!
The President is the Commander in Chief. He is in the Chain of Command. Hell, he's at the top of the chain of command. So if you don't salute him, who do you salute. And if he's courteous enough to return the salute, Bully!
I know it is a foreign concept to liberal clowns like this guy, but the salute by President Reagan, I think, was intended as a sign of RESPECT to the uniform and the military.
I consider the salute to be a sign of respect...which is why I do it whenever something (like a song) makes me damn proud to be an American.
I saluted when I heard Toby Kieth's "American Soldier", I saluted when I heard "Have You Forgotten", and I've saluted to dozens of patriotic songs that struck the patriotic choir in me. It's meant to be a sign of respect towards the song and the person who sings it.
I had my salute returned from the current President Bush. They didn't have to do it but they did. The last three Republican Presidents treated the military decently and with respect. They and the first Ladies, even off camera, were and are genuine decent folks.
That is something the libs will never get. To get respect you must earn and learn how to respect. Respect is not given out like candy.
President / CINC is a rank.