Posted on May 25, 2016
Do you salute any veterans wearing military, unit and or campaign head gear?
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Responses: 31
A few years ago while working my side hustle, I had the honor and privilege to meet retired BG Chuck Yeager, the first man to break the sound barrier. Well into his 90s & in a wheelchair, I assisted his son in getting him into the restaurant where I valeted. When his son told me who he was, I said, “THE Chuck Yeager? GENERAL Chuck Yeager?!” The younger Mr. Yeager said to me, “if you know who Chuck Yeager is, look him in the eyes & you’ll know “. So I got down to eye level with him and immediately knew I was in the presence of a living legend! I stood up, came to the position of attention, saluted him (and held that salute until he returned it), and said, “General Yeager, it’s my honor and privilege to serve you today”. Before he left for the evening, we talked for about 5 minutes. He gave me some great advice, and I could tell he still had the same fire & spirit that made him a groundbreaking aviator! That was a moment I’ll never forget! I respect all veterans, especially Vietnam era and earlier. Showing respect NEVER goes out of style!
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I sat up straight behind the wheel and snapped a quick one at a pick up with a USMC Veteran License plate holder today. My husband, the ~idiot~ Lance Corporal passed away last month. The Marines did him proud at his memorial.
I often come to attention as best I can for any and veterans older than me and if my right hand finds the brim of my cap at the same time blame my drill sergeants and SFC Milhorne, my first platoon sergeant.
I often come to attention as best I can for any and veterans older than me and if my right hand finds the brim of my cap at the same time blame my drill sergeants and SFC Milhorne, my first platoon sergeant.
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I have, in a casual way, if the Veteran is across the room. If they are next to me or addressing me, a handshake is in order.
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No. Never. I'll shake their hands if close enough. I don't care what rank they held...we're equals once the final DD-214 is in hand. Doesn't mean I don't respect their service, their accomplishments or anything else. Doesn't mean I won't stand and talk to them out of respect or swap sea stories either. Just means I'm not and they're not in the military so that custom no longer applies. I think it's tacky and I've seen some who do it more so that THEY themselves can be recognized as a vet than doing it out of respect to others. I'm a civilian now. I'll hold my hand over my heart at the national anthem as well.
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No I don't salute. That's something that was required of me to do when I was in uniform, not only not required but not allowed when I was in civilian clothes. I see no reason to change that now. Well the exceptions would be to render a salute when the national anthem is being played and when the flag is raising, lowering or passing since I understand the rules have been changed to allow that.
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I generally don't salute other veterans as such, but if the national anthem is being sung, the flag is going by, I am present at a flag ceremony (I'm active in scouting), or we are rendering honors to the fallen, I stand at attention and render a salute as appropriate. If I am in my BSA uniform, i use the BSA salute, if I am dressed otherwise, I render a military salute. I am usually wearing my command ball cap anyway.
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Did we really need to create a law?
http://www.military.com/flag-day/rules-for-saluting-us-flag.html
http://www.military.com/flag-day/rules-for-saluting-us-flag.html
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.
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PO2 Skip Kirkwood
There were a bunch of people who got their nose out of joint at seeing vets salute in civilian clothing. So the law was to overcome that. Just a nice gesture.....
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SFC Everett Oliver
PO2 Skip Kirkwood - Unfortunately some veteran organizations have gone too far and are saluting during the Pledge of Allegiance.
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I almost always salute a WWII or Korean vet if I identify them from their cat etc.
I have had some very sincere grins as thank yous.
I have had some very sincere grins as thank yous.
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No. I'm a Vet myself, and I don't wear my uniform anymore. Last I remember, saluting in civilians is a no-go, not to mention looks ridiculous.
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Sgt Dennis McKey
You might find yourself working with veterans at some point i the future in volunteer work like I did. For thirty years I did not salute anyone. I found myself saluting Vietnam and Gulf War veterans I was working with. Not out of obligation, but out of respect for their military and humanitarian sacrifices as civilians.
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SPC Brian Mason
I've found a few people I've worked with or at my church who are veterans; both enlisted and officers. Neither of us have felt that saluting one another was a sign of respect. In this sense, I am a Veteran and I connect faster and easier with fellow servicemen/women than others. During an initial meeting I have thanked and been thanked for service. That is enough. While I have met a lot more military in random encounters since 2009 (June) when I got out, not ONE has expressed anger or required me to address them per rank or salute.
We don't all think and act alike and there are some bad soldiers/vets out there. Even so, they cannot force me, as a Vet to salute them or refer them by rank. I do it out of respect from MY service and experience that I got while I was in. I know each of us have our own experiences and emotions to what we went through. We have a few Vietnam Vets at the church. I thanked them in the same way.
We have a Food Giveaway every Wed. afternoon at the church. One guy and his wife come through the line to get food. They are both elderly. He is a Vietnam Vet. He and I get along really well and he has little issue in talking about his experiences as I do with him. He calls me by my first name and vice versa. We both thanked each other upon our initial meeting and nothing else was needed. Too often, the younger people fail to realize just how things are because of them and us.
I do not require nor expect that type of respect. My favorite hat has U.S. Army on it; usually prompting someone to ask if I served. I state the obvious and thank them for their support. YES, I know this is lengthy, but there's reason.
Without the support of the American people while we were gone, most of us would have been affected quite negatively. Random strangers thanking you, is showing their support so, in my opinion, you should give the same to them. Most don't know how to beyond a 'thank you' and want to do more. Most Veterans I have met and know don't want the outlandish recognition. We want to know that 'here' and our 'way of life' is preserved by all who covet and cherish it.
I did salute a fallen Marine that came home to my hometown. It was on the news, following the plane's landing and his final journey home. The funeral home and local Police office is within walking distance from my house. My nephew wanted to go so the both of us went ahead of time. Both sides of the road was blocked off by police so the motorcade could get through easily. When he arrived, I noticed that I was not the only plains clothed person saluting. In my opinion and gut feeling, Veterans would salute in this instance of any other.
To each his/her own, but if someone requires it of a Vet, someone has taken their rank way too far.
We don't all think and act alike and there are some bad soldiers/vets out there. Even so, they cannot force me, as a Vet to salute them or refer them by rank. I do it out of respect from MY service and experience that I got while I was in. I know each of us have our own experiences and emotions to what we went through. We have a few Vietnam Vets at the church. I thanked them in the same way.
We have a Food Giveaway every Wed. afternoon at the church. One guy and his wife come through the line to get food. They are both elderly. He is a Vietnam Vet. He and I get along really well and he has little issue in talking about his experiences as I do with him. He calls me by my first name and vice versa. We both thanked each other upon our initial meeting and nothing else was needed. Too often, the younger people fail to realize just how things are because of them and us.
I do not require nor expect that type of respect. My favorite hat has U.S. Army on it; usually prompting someone to ask if I served. I state the obvious and thank them for their support. YES, I know this is lengthy, but there's reason.
Without the support of the American people while we were gone, most of us would have been affected quite negatively. Random strangers thanking you, is showing their support so, in my opinion, you should give the same to them. Most don't know how to beyond a 'thank you' and want to do more. Most Veterans I have met and know don't want the outlandish recognition. We want to know that 'here' and our 'way of life' is preserved by all who covet and cherish it.
I did salute a fallen Marine that came home to my hometown. It was on the news, following the plane's landing and his final journey home. The funeral home and local Police office is within walking distance from my house. My nephew wanted to go so the both of us went ahead of time. Both sides of the road was blocked off by police so the motorcade could get through easily. When he arrived, I noticed that I was not the only plains clothed person saluting. In my opinion and gut feeling, Veterans would salute in this instance of any other.
To each his/her own, but if someone requires it of a Vet, someone has taken their rank way too far.
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SPC Leo Van Groll
I saluted when they played taps at my Dad's funeral. Anyone have a problem with that ? Oh, & I don't think I looked ridiculous.
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1LT William Clardy
SPC Brian Mason, it sounds like you don't really think it looks ridiculous to to render a military-style salute out of uniform as a simple gesture of respect - not required or mandated by a bunch of politicians, just offered when the mood suits.
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