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Recently, at a military event in Washington D.C., I was struck by a feeling that something just wasn’t right. As the US flag was brought into the indoor event by an incredibly professional flag detail, all the civilian and military personnel rose and stood at the position of attention. Military personnel adjusted to continue facing the flag as the flag detail moved across the room. Then, the national anthem played and all of the military personnel remained at the position of attention while the civilians placed their hand over their heart. As a “Twice the Citizen” soldier, I felt conflicted and I couldn’t help but feel as though I was not paying the proper respect to the symbol of our nation. Shouldn’t I be doing something with my hand and my arm? Everything was in accordance with the military regulations that cover indoor ceremonies but, in my view, that didn’t make it right.
After 37 years of military service in all three components of the US Army (Active, National Guard and Army Reserve), I must admit I have a soft spot for Old Glory (the US flag) and for our national anthem. Some people might say I’m just a patriotic fool in view of all the challenges our nation currently faces. But to that I reply - we are a resilient nation of optimists who will find our way eventually and likely come out stronger than before. I am not convinced that standing at the position of attention, while all eyes are on the military, is the best way of paying our unequivocal respect to the symbol of our nation.
I’m a simple guy who believes in simple, yet powerful, concepts. What if every past and present military member always saluted Old Glory 100% of the time in a show of respect and solidarity - indoors or outdoors, rain or shine, with or without headgear? Past and present military members are bound by their service to our nation and this act of solidarity would further bind us to each other. Imagine never having to remember again which situation or circumstances dictated what to do when Old Glory passes or when the national anthem is played. Today, during a military or civilian parade when the US flag passes, veterans always rise, come to the position of attention, and salute. At a baseball game, when the national anthem is played, people rise to their feet, remove their headgear and place their hands over their hearts. What if all the veterans at the baseball game saluted instead of placing their hands over their hearts? Why not take the same approach, 100% of the time, for all events? I once had a drill sergeant who provided some sound advice when asked how often enlisted personnel should salute officers. That drill sergeant said, “You can’t go wrong if you salute 100% of the time.” So why not take that same, simple approach with Old Glory and our national anthem?
Have you ever asked yourself why military personnel don’t salute the US flag 100% of the time? I’m not sure how we got to where we are today with differences between indoor and outdoor events, and differences with and without headgear. Maybe it’s time to revisit and update those regulations. In this day and age, when military service is more rare than in generations past, isn’t it time for all veterans to band together in support of one another and in support of our country? Who knows the value of that symbol of our nation better than those who have fought to defend it? I think it’s time to salute Old Glory. As veterans, we have earned the right, and we have a solemn obligation to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to salute the symbol of our nation. Imagine being at your next event, and seeing all active duty and veteran military personnel saluting the US flag. How would that feel? I’m confident I would feel a tremendous amount of pride in seeing that solidarity and mutual outpouring of enduring respect for the symbol of our nation.
I believe all military members should start a grassroots effort to salute Old Glory 100% of the time. At my next military or civilian event, I intend to take the lead and salute Old Glory – will you join me?
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This editorial is my personal opinion and does not reflect the views of the US Army Reserve, the US Army or the Department of Defense.
After 37 years of military service in all three components of the US Army (Active, National Guard and Army Reserve), I must admit I have a soft spot for Old Glory (the US flag) and for our national anthem. Some people might say I’m just a patriotic fool in view of all the challenges our nation currently faces. But to that I reply - we are a resilient nation of optimists who will find our way eventually and likely come out stronger than before. I am not convinced that standing at the position of attention, while all eyes are on the military, is the best way of paying our unequivocal respect to the symbol of our nation.
I’m a simple guy who believes in simple, yet powerful, concepts. What if every past and present military member always saluted Old Glory 100% of the time in a show of respect and solidarity - indoors or outdoors, rain or shine, with or without headgear? Past and present military members are bound by their service to our nation and this act of solidarity would further bind us to each other. Imagine never having to remember again which situation or circumstances dictated what to do when Old Glory passes or when the national anthem is played. Today, during a military or civilian parade when the US flag passes, veterans always rise, come to the position of attention, and salute. At a baseball game, when the national anthem is played, people rise to their feet, remove their headgear and place their hands over their hearts. What if all the veterans at the baseball game saluted instead of placing their hands over their hearts? Why not take the same approach, 100% of the time, for all events? I once had a drill sergeant who provided some sound advice when asked how often enlisted personnel should salute officers. That drill sergeant said, “You can’t go wrong if you salute 100% of the time.” So why not take that same, simple approach with Old Glory and our national anthem?
Have you ever asked yourself why military personnel don’t salute the US flag 100% of the time? I’m not sure how we got to where we are today with differences between indoor and outdoor events, and differences with and without headgear. Maybe it’s time to revisit and update those regulations. In this day and age, when military service is more rare than in generations past, isn’t it time for all veterans to band together in support of one another and in support of our country? Who knows the value of that symbol of our nation better than those who have fought to defend it? I think it’s time to salute Old Glory. As veterans, we have earned the right, and we have a solemn obligation to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to salute the symbol of our nation. Imagine being at your next event, and seeing all active duty and veteran military personnel saluting the US flag. How would that feel? I’m confident I would feel a tremendous amount of pride in seeing that solidarity and mutual outpouring of enduring respect for the symbol of our nation.
I believe all military members should start a grassroots effort to salute Old Glory 100% of the time. At my next military or civilian event, I intend to take the lead and salute Old Glory – will you join me?
---
This editorial is my personal opinion and does not reflect the views of the US Army Reserve, the US Army or the Department of Defense.
United States
American Flag
Saluting
Command Post
Military Life
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 153
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I would like to relate a story from my past concerning Old Glory,my memory is still clear after fifty years,we were returning from extended operations in the Central Highlands of Vietnam,leaving the wood line of that dark triple canopy jungle out into the open to enter the artillery fire base on a small hill and flying above the base was a brilliant American Flag,a little piece of home in that terrible place,so if you are asking me to join you saluting it MG Pete Bosse my answer is resoundingly Yes Sir.!
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SPC Todd Rhoades
Thank you both. Had a couple uncles there. Here and now I swear to you, as long as I draw breath, no returning soldiers will ever be treated that way again. Not on my watch.
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Cpl Rick Leonard
I also remember walking out of that Jungle and sometimes carrying brothers, but seeing that flag gave us courage and hope. We would all die to defend that flag and I still whenever I move will always mount a flag on front of my house on a big pole. And Semper Fi to you also Sgt Roncari.
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SGT Philip Roncari
Cpl. Rick Leonard - Over the years I've flown the Flags given to my late brother ( career AirForce MSGT) my dad (WWll) my father in law (WWll Pacific) all Flags retired with honors at local VFW post,now I fly my personal one illuminated so She flys 24/7 in good weather,,welcome home,Brother.
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Protocols and courtesies are tradition-based, MG Peter Bosse, and traditions can evolve. All it takes is someone persistently nudging the norm. How many people remember that, long ago, Americans used to say the Pledge of Allegiance with a variation on the old Roman salute, except with the palm facing upward -- until someone decided that gesture was too reminiscent of the mid-century German version of hailing a leader.
And I'll gladly salute with you. To be honest, I've never felt comfortable placing my hand over my heart when a crisply executed hand salute feels more natural.
And I'll gladly salute with you. To be honest, I've never felt comfortable placing my hand over my heart when a crisply executed hand salute feels more natural.
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Dennis Zonn
Cpl Thomas Kifer - Don't say "I was only a corporal in the Marines" You served. Bless you for your service and NEVER apologize. You're a Marine!
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Cpl Thomas Kifer
I must have bumped my head. If it seemed that I apologized for just being a Cpl it wasn't my intent. But I will proof read my comments more thoroughly in the future.
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SPC Todd Rhoades
Spc Zamitalo, I count 9 years and I am assuming a 214 that says honorable. How do you figure you are not a vet. Maybe not a war vet or combat vet, but a vet none the less. My God, it's not like you were Coast Gaurd. Lol.
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National Defense Bill H.R. 1585 2008 gives amended saluting rules for veterans and military in civilian clothes.
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PO2 Gerry Roberson Sr.
I totally ignore all that perflufflestuffle. Keep it simple: stand and salute!
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SSG (Join to see)
(Sec. 594) Allows members and veterans who are present but not in uniform during the hoisting, lowering, or passing of the flag to render the military salute.
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