Home
Site Info Newest Articles
Sitemap
Search This Site
Money Matters Military Pay
Military Discounts
Print Coupons
USAA
Military Saves
VA Home Loans
Military Gifts
Budgeting 101
Spend Less
Money Problems?
Debt Matters Be Debt Free
Debt-Free Help
Avoid Foreclosure
Credit Matters Credit Cards
Best Credit Cards
True Cost of Credit
Int Rate Minefield
Credit Reports
Why Credit Matters
Tax Matters Free Tax Help
Lower Your Taxes
Tax Deductions
Family Matters Military Families
Protect Your Family
Emergency Prep
Beware - Scams
Gold Star Service
Share This Site
Support Our Troops Holiday Messages
We Support You
Thank the Troops
Wounded Warriors
Veterans Charities
Donate a Laptop
Honor Their Service American Heroes
Heroic Actions
Mil Spouse Heroes
We Are The Nation
Political Matters Wake Up America!
Your Opinions
Barack Obama
Your Comment Matters Sound Off!
Write for Us
Contact Govt Off'ls
Resources Resources
We Recommend
Your Own Site?
Admin Matters Contact Us
About Us
Our Readers
Fine Print / Legal
Privacy Policy

[?] Subscribe To This Site

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

Veterans May Now
Salute the Flag

U.S. Veterans May Now Salute Old Glory

U.S. veterans may now salute the flag, thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.). Inhofe's Senate Bill 1877 passed by unanimous consent, clarifying U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag. Previous law (US Code Title 4, Chapter 1) states that veterans and servicemen not in uniform should place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether they can or should salute the flag.



The new legislation removes the confusion and makes it clear that veterans and service members not in uniform may render the military salute.

"The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one’s military service," Senator Inhofe said. "Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform.

"I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military and remain as role models to other citizens. Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others."

We're pleased to report that provision was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2008, signed by President Bush in January. Here is the language, taken directly from the Act:


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.'



So there you have it. To many veterans and service members not in uniform, it "feels" disrespectful to not render the salute they are accustomed to when the flag is presented. The new legislation explicitly gives them the option to do so.

Now, when you are in a public place, such as a parade or ball game, and you see civilians saluting the flag, at the appropriate time, take a moment to thank them for their service.

Return to top of Veterans May Salute the Flag.





Questions or Comments?

We think this is a piece of legislation whose time has come. We know it feels a bit uncomfortable for veterans to NOT render a salute when the American flag is presented.

Have questions or comments about this change, or the appropriate flag etiquette? Ask them here.

Your submission signifies your agreement to our published submission guidelines.

Legal Stuff: By submitting comments to this site, I am granting you permission to display my comments on this web site, and in any other medium or on any other site, identified as a submission to this site.



Enter a Short Title for your Comments


Your Comments and Questions



Click on the links below to read comments and questions from other readers ...

Retired Military Saluting the Flag  starstarstarstarstar
Since President Bush signed the bill allowing retired military and other veterans to salute the flag with a proper military salute, I have always done ...

Can former Navy Reservist not in uniform salute the Flag?  starstarstarstarstar
As a former Naval Reservist, I never served on Active Duty other than the annual 2 weeks of ACDUTRA.

For the purposes of saluting the FLAG, am I considered ...

Saluting the Flag by Junior Service Organizations  starstarstarstarstar
Charles writes:

I am teaching a junior color guard (ages 7 thru 14) how to post colors and present colors at an AMVETs state meeting.

Are the juniors ...

When is it Appropriate for Veterans to Salute?  starstarstarstarstar
When is it appropriate for veterans to salute?

The U.S. Code title quoted in this article is:
SEC. 594. CONDUCT BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND ...

Saluting During Pledge of Allegience  starstarstarstarstar
The code has been changed to permit veterans out of uniform to salute the flag "during hoisting, lowering or passing". But it does not address saluting ...

Proud to Salute Our Flag  starstarstarstarstar
Having served in the US Army during the 1967-70 years of societal upheaval and protest against the war in Viet Nam, and the spread of that unrest to include ...

Saluting the Flag Out of Uniform and Indoors??  starstarstarstarstar

Inside a building, out of uniform, can a veteran still salute the flag, or is it proper to place your hand over your heart?



Showing your respect ...

Saluting While in Ranks  starstarstarstarstar
What is the proper response (salute or hand over the heart) to ceremony that ought to require a salute, by those in attendance at a meeting or convention ...

special dispensation for saluting the flag?  starstarstarstarstar
A reader asks:

I know a veteran in my town who states that he was given a special dispensation for saluting the flag from someone at Luke Air Force ...

PROPER SALUTING WHEN OUT OF UNIFORM???  starstarstarstarstar
I AM RETIRED FROM THE ARMY AND THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT WE ARE ALLOWED TO SALUTE THE FLAG WHEN OUT OF UNIFORM.

I belong to an organization that ...

Obama saluting the flag?  starstarstarstarstar
Is it legal for Obama to render a salute, either to the flag or in response to a salute from a military person? I've seen pictures of him saluting.

I ...

Veterans Salute the Flag
Covered or Not?  starstarstarstarstar
Jim writes:

When a veteran salutes the flag during the National Anthem must they be covered or can they be uncovered - hats or no hats?



Editor:...

Presidential Salute  starstarstarstarstar
John writes:

I saw President Obama render a military salute when honoring KIAs at Dover AFB. He is a civilian in civilian clothes. He is not a veteran....

What is the definition of a veteran?  starstarstarstarstar
Many of us served in the National Guard or Reserves. Are we considered veterans in this case, authorizing us to salute the flag along with other veterans?...

Civilians Saluting the Flag?  starstarstarstar
I read your comment at Veterans Salute the Flag , "Now, when you are in a public place, such as a parade or ball game, and you see civilians saluting ...

Military Salute by Veterans Not in Uniform  Not rated yet
Sen. James Inhofe's National Defense Authorization Act of FY 2009 authorized the flag salute for veterans not in uniform during the NATIONAL ANTHEM.

Can ...

Honoring Veterans  Not rated yet

As a member of the US Veterans' Corps, I am thrilled that we once again have the honor, duty, and privilege, to salute our country's colors, to which ...

Salute the Flag Indoors?  Not rated yet
I believe this is a good thing but have to ask -- Does this mean a veteran should salute the flag INDOORS?

I was taught one does not salute indoors ...

Public Announcements for Saluting the Flag  Not rated yet
The law allowing veterans to salute the flag was passed in 2008 and is still not widely known or acted upon.

At public events, I would like to hear ...

Honor the Flag  Not rated yet
I think it is great that veterans can now honor the flag in this way.

Now if we could only have parents teach their kids to stand and face the Stars ...

Veterans Saluting the Flag  Not rated yet
I am a proud veteran of the 9th infantry division, U.S. Army.

I do not think it is appropriate to salute when not in uniform. I feel that that honor ...

Earned the right to salute the flag  Not rated yet
I don't really care what the regulations state regarding saluting of our Flag.

I fought for it, I'll salute it. Seems fairly simple to me.

The ...

Non-US Citizen Veterans  Not rated yet
So, according to this ACT, what are non US citizen Veterans to do? Are non-US citizen servicemen or women free to do as they wish? Stand at attention only,...



New! Comments

Join our conversation! Leave me a comment about this page in the box below. If your comment is about another page on this site, please leave your comment on the page it refers to. Otherwise, I will have to delete it. Thanks!

Copyright © 2007-2012. All rights reserved, worldwide.

No re-publication without written permission from the publisher.

This site best viewed with the Firefox browser.Site best viewed with Firefox


Connect With Us

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to our e-mail updates Subscribe to our RSS feed

Earn Extra Money

Best Portable Business
For Military Spouses

Site Build It!


Subscribe to
Our Newsletter

Subscribe to My Military-Money-Matters!

Your E-mail:

Your Name:

Then

Your e-mail will not be shared with anyone.
See our privacy policy.


Newest Pages

Newest pages and updates
are announced first
on our blog page:


Subscribe to Updates




Get Military Families Blog by Email. Only when we post a new entry. Be the first to know What's New.

Subscribe via RSS:
XML RSS
What is this?