New Law Allows Veterans Salutes During Anthem

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New Law Allows Veterans' Salutes During Anthem

WASHINGTON (AFRNS) -- Veterans and active-duty military 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 this month.

"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 service members 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 service members 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)
 
Re: New Law Allows Veterans' Salutes During Anthem

Thanks for the info. I fwd'd it to every Vet I know.

Erin
 
Re: New Law Allows Veterans' Salutes During Anthem

Good deal but, as little as is known about this, I'd feel kind of funny standing there saluting in my civies.
 
Re: New Law Allows Veterans' Salutes During Anthem

packerbacker said:
Good deal but, as little as is known about this, I'd feel kind of funny standing there saluting in my civies.
i can't totally agree with you pb. yes, alot of people dont even know its law, but for any veteran that currently is a member of any veterans organization at least has this information! i serve on the color/honor guard for the largest american legion post in the state of ohio, and i've seen many parades and funerals, where people who were not in uniform cant help but to salute the colors or the playing of the national anthem! i'd bet 99% of them people are veterans. other 1% have their reasons, moms and fathers, brothers etc. i think the law is appropriate, as it was passed for all the veterans who cant put a uniform on today, but have worn one in the past with pride. lets just say this: before the law, if you saluted the flag or the national anthem while not in uniform, was it against the law? its all in my opinion pb, but the feelin i get when saluting during the national anthem in uniform or not, is never funny! its always goosebumps!!! semper fi brother!
 
Re: New Law Allows Veterans' Salutes During Anthem

You said it all ohioaxeman.
 
Re: New Law Allows Veterans' Salutes During Anthem

I do not feel embarrassed to salute during the national anthem and nor should anyone else, who has served in the armed forces. we have earned the right to show our pride in our country and what it stands for
 
Re: New Law Allows Veterans' Salutes During Anthem

The word "embarrassed" was never used and the word "funny" is being taken too literal. What I meant to convey is that, after not being "authorized" to salute the flag for so long when not in uniform, it would be a strange feeling to be able to now. I've always taken pride in saluting when I could and holding my hand over my heart when I wasn't authorized to salute. We aren't supposed to leave our flags out overnight without a light either but, according to Ronald Reagan, it's ok to forget. Putting it out in the first place shows your patriotism. I'd still feel "funny" about leaving it out all night without a light. ;D
 
Re: New Law Allows Veterans' Salutes During Anthem

packerbacker said:
The word "embarrassed" was never used and the word "funny" is being taken too literal. What I meant to convey is that, after not being "authorized" to salute the flag for so long when not in uniform, it would be a strange feeling to be able to now. I've always taken pride in saluting when I could and holding my hand over my heart when I wasn't authorized to salute. We aren't supposed to leave our flags out overnight without a light either but, according to Ronald Reagan, it's ok to forget. Putting it out in the first place shows your patriotism. I'd still feel "funny" about leaving it out all night without a light. ;D
sorry pb, wasn't trying to belittle you or anyone else! i believe we have the same respect and patriotism for our country. the word "funny" just didn't sit right with me at the time, but i understand what you was saying! i do forget to turn my light on also, quite often! take care...semper fi
 
Re: New Law Allows Veterans' Salutes During Anthem

after receiving an email today from my marine corps league detachment, this may change the views of some!
3. SALUTING. A RECENT CHANGE TO THE LAW HAS AUTHORIZED ACTIVE DUTY
AND RETIRED SERVICEMEMBERS TO SALUTE THE NATIONAL COLORS, WHETHER
COVERED OR UNCOVERED, INDOORS OR OUT. BY CUSTOM AND TRADITION,
MARINES DO NOT RENDER THE HAND SALUTE WHEN OUT OF UNIFORM OR WHEN
UNCOVERED. LET THERE BE NO CONFUSION; THAT HAS NOT CHANGED. DURING
THE PLAYING OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, OR THE RAISING, LOWERING, OR
PASSING OF THE NATIONAL FLAG, MARINES WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW NAVAL
TRADITIONS AND THE POLICY / PROCEDURES CONTAINED IN REFERENCE (A).
SPECIFICALLY, MARINES NOT IN UNIFORM WILL FACE THE FLAG, STAND AT
ATTENTION, AND PLACE THE RIGHT HAND OVER THE HEART. IF COVERED,
MARINES NOT IN UNIFORM WILL REMOVE THEIR HEADGEAR WITH THE RIGHT
HAND AND PLACE THEIR RIGHT HAND OVER THEIR HEART. WHEN THE FLAG IS
NOT PRESENT, MARINES WILL ACT IN THE SAME MANNER WHILE FACING IN THE
DIRECTION OF THE MUSIC. IN CASES SUCH AS INDOOR CEREMONIES, WHEN
MARINES ARE IN UNIFORM AND UNCOVERED, THEY WILL FACE THE FLAG, OR
THE DIRECTION OF THE MUSIC WHEN THE FLAG IS NOT PRESENT, AND STAND
AT ATTENTION.
 
Re: New Law Allows Veterans' Salutes During Anthem

I received this same info concerning this subject...funny thing to me (4th Generation Military-Retired USAF MSgt)...is I NEVER knew any other way to salute the flag. Frankly, I don't think I would ever have asked for "permission" to do otherwise. The day that this country of ours requires military service will be my proudest salute of all.
 
Re: New Law Allows Veterans' Salutes During Anthem

I never let anyone stop me from saluting and never will. Been reading alot of post by all of you. And I'm proud to salute you for your service. I'm retired AF E-7 in 87. Lots of memories on this site and in this forum.
I'm living in middle TN. now, and love to go out MD'ing. Flew on B-52's as a Tail gunner, "G" model. If any of you get to Tn. let me know by e-mail. Maybe we can hunt together. :thumbsup:
 

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