All Military Vets Please Read
 

Little known provision in just passed law allows us to render hand salute during National Anthem.


http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/docs/Saluting.doc

New Law Authorizes Veterans’ Salutes during National Anthem
WASHINGTON -- 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 Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “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 members of the armed forces 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 on Oct. 14.

The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel 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.

My Marine veteran group got the word on this months ago.

Bob

It's good to know that the marines got something first, lord know they always claim to be the first in everywhere.

Hooah!!!:D

Rich
SSG (R)
USA

Good. Now I can do in public what I proudly do in my home when the Anthem plays.

Why were you not allowed to do this before? What was the reasoning/rational?

Because for years veterans were prohibited from saluting when not wearing their uniforms in public. We had to hold our hands over our hearts like every other civilian. Now we are allowed by law to actually snap a real salute like we did when we were on active duty.

Were a lot of vets being cuffed and hauled away for saluting before?

Don't be silly Walt. I was merely pointing out the legality of it. I'm sure some people felt that saluting was inappropriate and the new ruling now makes that a moot point.

It's much like the flag code; enforcement is voluntary and self-inflicted.

Self-inflicted? Did you mean "self-imposed"?

Rita

I suppose. If you want verbal precision. :)

Sadly, stupidity isn't illegal.

Good thing, too! I would be doing a life sentence at San Quentin!!!:)

It's just that "self-inflicted" has a negative connotation as in "self-inflicted wound". "Self-imposed" has a more positive connotation. So I was wondering what you felt.

Rita

my take on this (for what it's worth)
 

I only felt it was inappropriate before because I respect the codes. Now that this law has been passed it's now no longer inappropriate.


Personally though I will still stand tall proud and with my hand over my heart if I'm on the field with any non-vet officials. I'm no better than them just because I served and so will not single myself or them out. In the stands though is a different story :)