Law Allows Retirees and Vets to Salute Flag
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 only while wearing their organization’s
official head-gear.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 contained an
amendment to allow un-uniformed servicemembers, military retirees, and veterans
to render a hand salute during the hoisting, lowering, or passing of the U.S.
flag.
A later amendment further authorized hand-salutes during the
national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel. This was
included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed
on Oct. 14, 2008.
Here is the actual text from the
law:
SEC. 595. MILITARY SALUTE FOR THE FLAG DURING THE NATIONAL
ANTHEM BY MEMBERS
OF THE ARMED FORCES NOT IN UNIFORM AND BY VETERANS.
Section 301(b)(1) of title 36, United States Code, is
amended by striking subparagraphs (A) through (C) and inserting the following
new subparagraphs:
(A) individuals
in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and
maintain that position until the last note;
(B) members
of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render
the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and;
(C) all
other person’s present should face the flag and stand at attention with their
right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with
their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the
heart.
Note: Part (C) applies to those not in the
military and non-veterans. The phrase "men not in uniform" refers to
civil service uniforms like police, fire fighters, and letter carriers - non-veteran civil servants who might normally
render a salute while in uniform.
