Posted on Mar 24, 2016
Can soldiers in civilian clothes salute a fallen comrade memorial?
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I recently visited the Fallen Warriors Memorial on Cutten Road in Spring, TX. While I was there, I noticed a Veteran wearing a Vietnam hat and although I wanted to walk over to him and shake his hand, I decided to back off as he was paying his respects; however, prior to him leaving he stood in front of the memorial, came to attention and held a salute for a few seconds before bringing it down. So my question is actually coming from me as I've felt compelled to salute as well, but have refrained as I'm not sure what is correct.
Saluting
Customs and Courtesies
Fallen Soldiers
Memorial
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 572
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I don't care of you're butt naked. If you feel compelled to show your respect do it. Why you're there with no clothes I'd your business.
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IWhen in doubt, whip it out. Better to be corrected for saluting when you shouldn’t than to be corrected for not saluting when you should have. That said, laws that authorize salutes in civilian clothes do not require it.
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Where I was in covilian clothes or not, I have always rendered a hand salute at retreats, raising of the flag, fuenerals for veterans, memorial services, etc. I am a veteran, I will pay my respects, for it is the honorable thing to do. Some may say I'm unprofessional, but as an Air Commando, I have never been accused of being a professional.
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I don't need the government or anybody else to tell me when or how to salute.
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The law says we are authorized. I can, I do. It’s out of respect. If you don’t respect your fallen brothers, what do you respect?
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Of course we can salute in civilian clothes. When I attend University of Georgia football games in Athens, the pa announcer encourages soldiers and veterans to salute the national anthem. Please do salute!
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I do all the Time. I do it out of Respect. I saluted a Captain just the other day Going into a bank. He saluted me back. I felt Great.
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Not a fan of the notion of saluting in civilian clothes (one of the few things I dislike about Reagan was setting up the "custom" of the President saluting/returning a salute) but really if you are being or trying to show respect at a memorial then essentially anything is OK by me.
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Once in the ancient misty past, I was an ignorant young sailor. I wanted to please and do the right things. I asked an old salt if it was OK to do something I've long forgotten. But I never forgot his reply: "Did anyone say you couldn't?" I can't think of anyone saying anyone can't salute in civvies, except those excrement-for-brains morons cited in this post. They don't count. So I saute whenever it's appropriate. Even (gasp) uncovered, which sailors don't do.
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