[zcaveman]

New Law Allows Retirees and Vets to Salute Flag

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 contained an amendment to allow un-uniformed service members, military retirees, and veterans to render a hand salute during the hoisting, lowering, or passing of the U.S.flag. The amendment does not address saluting the flag during the playing of the national anthem, pledge of allegiance, honors (i.e. Taps), or any other saluting situations.

Excerpt from H.R. 4986:

SEC. 594. CONDUCT BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS OUT OF
UNIFORM DURING HOISTING, LOWERING, OR PASSING OF UNITED STATES FLAG.

Section 9 of title 4, United States Code, is amended by striking "all persons present" and
all that follows through the end of the section and inserting the following: "all persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes."

[samhass]

Z-that is as it should be. Semper Fi.

[Sidney Lanier]

I wonder: It seems strange that we actually need a law to allow this. Am I the only one who feels this way?

[swrinfla]

Z:

While the amendment appears not to specifically address saluting during the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, etc., my various military sources encourage us old fogies to do so under all circumstances where a mere hand-over-the-heart used to be sufficient. I personally do salute; in some circles, it causes raised eyebrows, but I am proud to tell any one who asks that it's acceptable behavior for a military person! ;D

SWR

[Jim007]

Thanks Z,

I did not know about this new law. As a vet, I have always wanted to salute the flag, but was always taught to place right hand over heart if not in uniform. From this point forward I will always salute our flag proudly as I did some 40 years ago.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Sidney Lanier

I wonder: It seems strange that we actually need a law to allow this. Am I the only one who feels this way?

SL, hard to imagine you'd need a law to allow this. I am so proud of anyone who has spent time serving in the military.

[chelsea24]

I thought this was always allowed. I'm as confused as you Sidney. Wow, pretty soon we'll need a law to be able to sneeze in public. :dontknow:

[Peggy D]

Originally Posted by Sidney Lanier

I wonder: It seems strange that we actually need a law to allow this. Am I the only one who feels this way?

I'm with you on this one!

[ouma1938]

Me too Sidney! We spent 20+ years in the military and its amazing that we need a law like that.

[zcaveman]

I definitely agree that it should be a moot point but officially, unless you were in uniform you were not allowed to render a hand salute to the flag under any cicumstances. Hopefuly, they will qualify the hand salute during the National Athem, Pledge of Allegiance, Honors (i.e. Taps), or any other saluting situations.

Now you can.

I always do when I raise the flag in my yard. Now I can all of the time.

Z