WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today praised the passage by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag. Current 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 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. Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not. 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 others 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."
This Bill was passed July 25, 2007.
Let your veteran friends and service members know about the Passage of this Bill.
Alright this is probably a stupid question but does this go for Indoor and Outdoor events or only outdoor? Baseball is played outdoors (except toronto, st. pete, and seatle sometimes) same with football and domed stadiums.
Or should we just go with the trusty rule of thumb...when in doubt salute.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: bkreigh,
I would think as a veteran you can salute the flag inside and out , with or without cover. I think it will give some kudos to veterans and open the door to more non-vets pretending to be vets. Regardless it will be nice to salute hand to brow or hand over heart.
If it passes the House and is signed into law by Bush it will only apply to raising, lowering, and passing of the Flag. If the bill passes, 4 USC 9 will read like this:
"During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, those 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 should stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes."
Originally posted by asm3driscoll: I would think as a veteran you can salute the flag inside and out , with or without cover. I think it will give some kudos to veterans and open the door to more non-vets pretending to be vets. Regardless it will be nice to salute hand to brow or hand over heart.
i might look like an idiot here but......do we really need permission to do this......seems to me flag customs are not "you shall" but instead are "you should".....changing a custom is not the job of the congress.....
I think its more important to teach the younger kids to respect and honor the flag during presentation of the colors, parades, national anthem by standing still at attention with the hand over the heart. I find it disrespectful when people don't remove ball caps etc.. during such cerimonies. All the kids in my company remove thier hats during presentation of the colors, singing of the national anthem and also at the dinner table, no exceptions.. My boys also open the door or hold the door for ladies. These boys are no choir boys though, while ordering ice cream they find it very funny to order it by saying " can I have some a$$ cream please?" Very funny kids.
I guess it all depends on wether you are trying to follow military protocol or not. I knew better than to render a hand salute out of uniform and I guess the senate is saying its OK and giving vets the right to hand salute the flag in civies. Salute!
Something that always irked me was the hesitation by non-veteran police officers relative to flag customs. Many of them, while in full uniform, will remove their cover and pace their hand over their heart as if they were in civvies at a ball game.
I have spent the past 17 years wondering if they teach anything about flag etiquette at the police academies. For many years I held a traffic post which was directly in line with the Memorial Day Parade route. As each set of Colors passed by they got my best Cape May salute (something I always prided myself in was a very proper hand salute) which was held until the Color Guard passed. I did this for the VFW, the Legion right on down to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
I still remember a little girl standing on the side of the road in front of me asking her mother why I came to attention and saluted as each set of Colors passed. Her mom's answer was priceless. She simply said "Pride honey, the officer is proud of his country." 'Nuff said.
I wish more civilians would show respect when it comes to taking their hats off at a ball game. A little while back, I took my 13 yr old son to a hockey game between the Boston Bruins Legends and the New Hampshire State Troopers.
When the National Anthem played, too many men didn't even remove their hats or place their hands over their hearts.
While I was in high school we saluted the flag with hand over hearts. When I was married we did the same When I go to any military funeral, everyone salutes the flag. When in uniform the people salute When not in uniform the hand goes over the heart.
