Posted on Nov 28, 2018
When veterans are saluting as a flag passes in a parade (e.g. 4th of July, etc.), do we have our cover on or off?
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Veterans are now allowed to salute the flag as it passes in a parade. I am under the impression that we do not need to be in uniform. My question is .... cover. On or off in civilian clothes?
Posted in these groups: 
American Flag
Customs and Courtesies
American Flag Customs and Courtesies
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 14
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This is somewhat old news SrA David Clay and SGT Michael Thorin in it was passed during the former POTUS George W. Bush administration and signed into law.
"WASHINGTON -- Veterans and active-duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect this month.
“The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation’s armed forces,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation’s flag.”
The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year’s provision also applied to members of the armed forces while not in uniform.
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 while wearing their organization’s official head-gear.
The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct. 14.
The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008."
https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1609
FYI LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip Roncari Lt Col Jim CoeCWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCordSGT Jim Arnold Sgt Albert Castro PO3 Phyllis Maynard Maj Robert Thornton SPC Douglas Bolton Cynthia Croft PO1 H Gene Lawrence COL Mikel J. Burroughs Lt Col Charlie Brown Brig Gen Jim Jaeger SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL 1SG Frank Boynton
"WASHINGTON -- Veterans and active-duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect this month.
“The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation’s armed forces,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation’s flag.”
The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year’s provision also applied to members of the armed forces while not in uniform.
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 while wearing their organization’s official head-gear.
The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct. 14.
The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008."
https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1609
FYI LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip Roncari Lt Col Jim CoeCWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCordSGT Jim Arnold Sgt Albert Castro PO3 Phyllis Maynard Maj Robert Thornton SPC Douglas Bolton Cynthia Croft PO1 H Gene Lawrence COL Mikel J. Burroughs Lt Col Charlie Brown Brig Gen Jim Jaeger SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL 1SG Frank Boynton
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SrA John Monette
LTC Stephen F. prior to this law being passed, was rendering a military salute for either the presentation of the colors or for the national anthem considered a crime? in my opinion, it would fall under the protection of the First Amendment's freedom of speech.
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LTC Stephen F.
It was probably not a Federal crime before hand; but it was not specifically authorized SrA John Monette
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SrA John Monette
LTC Stephen F. - that's what I thought. even if it had been criminal, I would love to meet the prosecutor who would take that case to a grand jury or before a judge. or the police officer who would enforce it.
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It is my understanding (and I may be incorrect” that if you have a cover on that is in good decorum, on with a salute is acceptable. If the picture is questionable (2 green ducks making a meth deal at a day care type stuff), off with a salute is preferred.
However, I defer to someone who knows this reg.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs. 1SG Frank Boynton SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL LTC Stephen F. Lt Col Charlie Brown, Brig Gen Jim Jaeger any thoughts?
However, I defer to someone who knows this reg.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs. 1SG Frank Boynton SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL LTC Stephen F. Lt Col Charlie Brown, Brig Gen Jim Jaeger any thoughts?
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LTC Jeff Shearer
brother, a couple of things; At a ball game or other event and they present the colors or sing the Anthem I have to tell myself not to present arms and to put my hand on my heart. Next is the ducks issue, I have no clue what that is about but I am not sure I want to know. Some things are just better a mystery, I am afraid if I knew the truth I would stop laughing hahahaha
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SGT Michael Thorin
LTC Jeff Shearer, you probably wouldn’t be surprised if you found out that I completely pulled the ducks out of thin air. If not, let’s use that as the answer so we can both sleep well tonight.
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PO2 Lanny Roberts
The Salute
To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.
To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.
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SGT Michael Thorin
PO2 Lanny Roberts, I think this question is in reference to the law Congress passed to allow Veterans not in uniform to salute the colors. Many Veterans weren’t sure if they needed to remove cover then render hand salute or keep whatever cover they had on and salute.
Thanks brother. Stay strong.
Thanks brother. Stay strong.
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As an American Legion Rider (ALR Post 178), we always salute the flag in civilian clothes and cover on. We only remove our covers when we are joining in a prayer to God, benediction, or opening prayer to our meetings or escorting a veteran to their final resting place during he funeral sermon. I don't think there is anything written about what is correct or incorrect. Those are the quidelines we follow as veterans in the American Legion Riders Group that I belong to and we followed the same wen I Ride and escort with the Patriot Guard Riders. That is my 2 cents on the question SrA David Clay
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