According to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dr. James B. Peake, ″the military salute is a distinctive show of respect that honors those who have served in our nation’s armed forces.″ ″The military salute marks those who have served in our nation’s armed services,″ ″Because of this law, it is possible to apply that honor to any and all activities that include our nation’s flag.″
How do military veterans salute the American flag?
If you are a veteran of the armed forces who is no longer required to wear a uniform, you have the option of saluting the flag in the same manner as ordinary civilians by taking off your hat and placing your hand on your chest, or you can do a hand salute in the military way.
What does it mean to salute the flag in a parade?
Traditionally, the beginning of a procession is signaled by an honor guard bearing the American flag. When the flag is carried by, everyone along the parade path stops what they’re doing and gives it a salute. Veterans who had the honor of serving their nation during their time in the armed forces might look back on this times with a sense of immense pride.
What is the purpose of an honor guard salute?
- Traditionally, the beginning of a procession is signaled by an honor guard bearing the American flag.
- When the flag is carried by, everyone along the parade path stops what they’re doing and gives it a salute.
- Veterans who had the honor of serving their nation during their time in the armed forces might look back on this times with a sense of immense pride.
A clause in the Act Authorizing the Defense Department
Who can render a salute to the flag?
Salutes to the flag may be rendered by members of the armed forces who are not uniformed, retired military personnel, and veterans.
Are veterans supposed to salute the flag?
An amendment was included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 that made it possible for non-uniformed service members, retired military personnel, and veterans to offer a hand salute to the United States flag during the raising, lowering, or passage of the flag.
Can you salute the flag if you are not military?
When men are in civilian clothes, they remove their hats and place their right hand, palm up, over their hearts while saluting the American flag.When men are not wearing hats, they place their right hand, palm down, over their hearts.The right hand of women should be placed across the chest with the palm facing up.
- Although it is proper for WOMEN to remove all caps, they may continue to wear headgear if they so want.
What does it mean to salute the American flag?
In most instances, those who repeated the vow did so while standing and with their backs to the flag.The ″hand salute″ was performed when the words ″my flag″ were said, and consisted of raising the right hand, palm facing up, in a salute to the flag.At the beginning of this century, a series of codified protocols for displaying the appropriate level of respect for the flag began to be devised.
Is it OK to salute the flag in civilian clothes?
When wearing your uniform indoors, you are to face the flag, stand at attention, and maintain complete silence; nevertheless, you are not to give a salute. If, on the other hand, the participants are predominantly civilians or are dressed in civilian attire, you are free to recite the Pledge of Allegiance if you so want.
Should a veteran salute the flag when not in uniform?
Every individual in uniform who is present at the ceremony of raising or lowering the flag, or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, should deliver the military salute. This includes when the flag is being passed. The military salute can be performed by veterans and active-duty service members who are not dressed in uniform but are present at the event.
Do veterans stand at attention for the National Anthem?
″Everyone present should look toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were shown,″ which is the protocol to follow in the event that the flag is not displayed during the playing of the national anthem. It may be summed up by saying that veterans have the option of either saluting the flag or standing at attention with their hand over their heart.
Why do Jehovah Witnesses refuse to salute the flag?
The Jehovah’s Witnesses are of the opinion that they owe their loyalty to the Kingdom of God, which they consider to be a real government. They do not stand to show respect for any nation’s flag or sing patriotic songs since they consider these activities to be types of religion. However, they may salute the flag of another nation out of respect.
What does a slow salute mean?
In order to show respect for both the flag and the individual who is retiring, it is not uncommon to see people give a leisurely salute to the flag during a flag-passing ceremony that is part of a retirement.
Who can salute the national flag?
Everyone present is expected to face the flag and stand at attention whenever it is raised, lowered, or passed in a parade or review. This includes while the flag is being raised or lowered, as well as when it is being passed. Those in attendance who are wearing uniforms are expected to make the proper salute.
Why is salute important?
The hand salute is more than just a polite way of saying ″good morning.″ It is a sign of respect, honor, and integrity all rolled into one. When a soldier pays homage to a high-ranking officer with a salute, he or she is not honoring the officer as a person but rather the rank itself.
Can a veteran salute another veteran?
″Every individual who is present in uniform at the ceremony of raising or lowering the flag, or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, should return the military salute.″ The military salute can be performed by veterans and active-duty service members who are not dressed in uniform but are present at the event.
Do veterans salute during Taps at a funeral?
Members of the armed forces are required to wear their service dress uniforms and be prepared to salute at the following times and places: when the hearse passes in front of them; whenever the flag-draped casket is moved; during the formal gun salute; when Taps is played; and when the casket is lowered into the ground.
Do veterans have to remove their hat during the National Anthem?
Veterans and active-duty members of the armed forces are allowed to perform the military salute even when they are not wearing their uniforms by following the same protocol as described for persons who are clad in uniform. These individuals are neither required to take off their hats, nor are they prohibited from doing so, according to the statutory language.