Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Saluting during National Anthem

Attended a local High School game Friday evening and when the anthem played, I was the only old phart to salute. Know the law was changed in 08 to allow this but normally see several other old guys saluting but lately, have not noticed any. Has something changed and I did not get the memo?

when i was in the AF we were told to salute only if in uniform so thats the rule i've been following for 30 years. i think its more of a tradition or etiquette issue than a law.

It's customary to salute while in uniform, but a hand salute can be rendered in civilian clothes. For retirees, veterans and everyday people, a salute is up to the individual and shouldn't be ridiculed.

I think it's a personal choice. I stand with my hand over my heart. But I have absolutely no issue with those that render a salute.

Law was passed in 08 and modified in 09 allowing veterans to render a hand salute while in mufti during raising/passing of the flag and/or playing of the national anthem. Quite a few guys here in Huntsville did so (me included) but the last few events I have been at, I did not notice anyone else doing it. Thus I wondered if the law had been changed????

Am I to understand you were barred from saluting the flag, by law, before this legislation in 08 and 09?

WTF?

From Military.com:

Law Now 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 persons 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.

Why the hell is that even legislation?

I always stand and salute....

always have, but then growing up as a dependent and then serving for a while myself...always thought hand over the heart was for school children and civilian adults..

I salute, period. Always have, always will.

Thanks Vets!

This.

Same here.......

Thanks guys. I will keep saluting as usual.

interesting. i never knew it was a law. henceforth i shall be rendering a snappy salute on such occasions.

Salute if in uniform, hand over heart, hat off otherwise. That's how Inwas taught.

Saluting now. Did not know of that change.

Me too. I dare somebody to tell me I shouldn't!

I usually just take a knee.

I'm never without a hat so I always salute.