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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 9 y ago
Responses: 152
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I have done both but putting my hand over my heart does feel a bit awkward to me after 26 years in the active and guard components
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Excuse me if I'm wrong. but Ibelieve that a few years ago the congress updated the resolution that concerns how we respect our flag by approving those very same things you are concerned about. Every veteran of our armed forces is now given the right to salute during the Pledge of Allegiance or whenever the flag is presented. I take advantage of that right each time I'm presented with a situation that calls for it. SSG William Clizbe, USA (Ret)
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I agree your position completely. Although I only served two years, I still salute Our Flag, with all the respect it deserves.
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When I was on active service, I always felt it an honor to salute the flag. When I rejoined the civilian world, the loss of the salute was the loss of a privilege dearly felt. So I was gratified when the right to salute was extended to veterans during the Bush administration. Now I always salute even though I am the only "civilian" in the crowd to do so.
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I'm all for saluting the flag whenever and wherever. If the regulation changes, I will happily comply. Personally though I do not salute when in civilian clothes at say, a ballgame or something. It makes me feel like I'm drawing attention to myself. That may be weird to some but I don't do what I do for the attention. I do however honor the flag and the National Anthem by placing my hand over my heart and remaining still. And I make sure my kids do the same.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Agreed. I don't like drawing attention to myself and I don't find placing my hand over my heart to be any less respectful than a salute.
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1LT Peter Duston
We veterans are a shrinking minority of patriots. It's ok to draw attention to ourselves in such situations as we represent a power of example to others ever reminding our fellow citizens that freedom is not free. I believe that we are called to remember our fallen and deceased comrades who raised their right just as we did to serve our nation. Our public salute reflects that kinship!
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MG Peter Bosse "Oh say, can you see" = hand salute! And, a nudge to Mary Ann to put her right hand over her heart. She was always good at it, after additional training, she is better! Helping others to respond upon hearing, "Oh, say" is cumbersome.
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I salute the flag IAW with the regs.
I was at a local city's "Concert In The Park" recently and when the National Anthem was played I presented arms to salute our flag. When I looked around I noted I wasn't alone and that there were several other SM's that had done the same, including my Father.
(On a personal note: my sons all soon rigidly at attending with their hands and hats over their heart.... unlike many kids irreverently running around and screaming. I was proud of my family.)
I was at a local city's "Concert In The Park" recently and when the National Anthem was played I presented arms to salute our flag. When I looked around I noted I wasn't alone and that there were several other SM's that had done the same, including my Father.
(On a personal note: my sons all soon rigidly at attending with their hands and hats over their heart.... unlike many kids irreverently running around and screaming. I was proud of my family.)
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Well, I had to google this, of course, being a retired Chief Petty Officer.
Turns out that about a decade or so ago, Section 301 (b)(1) of Title 36 USC was amended to read as follows:
(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 their left shoulder, the hand being over the heart;
There's a note in the article I read this from which says Part (C) apples to those not in the military and non-veterans, that the phrase "men not in uniform" refers to civil service uniforms like police, fire fighers, etc who might normally render a salute while in uniform.
However, I didn't see any such clarification in the United States Code when I looked it up. So that, in my opinion, is just the opinion of those who wrote the article I read unless someone can show me this in writing elsewhere.
REGARDLESS...the point is to render honors to the flag appropriately. Whether this is by salute or by hand over the heart as a veteran makes no difference to me, so long as it's respectfully done.
However, I think I may just shift to the salute at the next ball game we attend just to see what my wife says. It'll be cool to cite 36 USD Section 301 to her over this, the Scout Leader that she is!
Turns out that about a decade or so ago, Section 301 (b)(1) of Title 36 USC was amended to read as follows:
(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 their left shoulder, the hand being over the heart;
There's a note in the article I read this from which says Part (C) apples to those not in the military and non-veterans, that the phrase "men not in uniform" refers to civil service uniforms like police, fire fighers, etc who might normally render a salute while in uniform.
However, I didn't see any such clarification in the United States Code when I looked it up. So that, in my opinion, is just the opinion of those who wrote the article I read unless someone can show me this in writing elsewhere.
REGARDLESS...the point is to render honors to the flag appropriately. Whether this is by salute or by hand over the heart as a veteran makes no difference to me, so long as it's respectfully done.
However, I think I may just shift to the salute at the next ball game we attend just to see what my wife says. It'll be cool to cite 36 USD Section 301 to her over this, the Scout Leader that she is!
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CPO Glenn Moss
"Optional" doesn't factor into things for Active Duty in uniform. They're governed by other rules and regulations and the UCMJ.
The military should handle saluting issues with servicemembers in uniform however the rules and regulations dictate. Saluting the ensign and quarterdeck isn't an option for servicemembers, for example. And matters which affect unit cohesion is just another fine example of why some things matter in the military, but not in civilian life.
Veeterans, however, are no longer Active Duty and thus do not fall under the UCMJ and military rules and regulations. They may render honors as they see fit.
And civilians are civilians. Like it or not, I support their right to render honors or not, as they see fit. Sure, I may be personally offended. Sure, their actions may be in poor taste. Honestly, though, most of the time it's just ignorance.
The military should handle saluting issues with servicemembers in uniform however the rules and regulations dictate. Saluting the ensign and quarterdeck isn't an option for servicemembers, for example. And matters which affect unit cohesion is just another fine example of why some things matter in the military, but not in civilian life.
Veeterans, however, are no longer Active Duty and thus do not fall under the UCMJ and military rules and regulations. They may render honors as they see fit.
And civilians are civilians. Like it or not, I support their right to render honors or not, as they see fit. Sure, I may be personally offended. Sure, their actions may be in poor taste. Honestly, though, most of the time it's just ignorance.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Kind of a mix here, but just a note many vets ARE subject to the UCMJ. If you draw a retirement check, you are.
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CPO Glenn Moss
MCPO Roger Collins - While I grant you the UCMJ does apply to veterans receiving retirement benefits, such as pay (UCMJ Art. 2 "Persons subject to this chapter", paragraph (4) "Retired members of a regular component of the armed forces who are entitled to pay", I submit the following:
1. There is no cost effective way of preferring charges against veterans over matters involving saluting, nor for prosecuting them. The only method by which these matters may be prosecuted against veterans under the UCMJ would be by courts-martial. There is no NJP option because a veteran has no commanding officer through which such means may be employed.
2. If the concern is "unit cohesion", then one would be hard pressed to make any realistic correlation between a veteran drawing retirement benefits and Active Duty unit cohesion.
1. There is no cost effective way of preferring charges against veterans over matters involving saluting, nor for prosecuting them. The only method by which these matters may be prosecuted against veterans under the UCMJ would be by courts-martial. There is no NJP option because a veteran has no commanding officer through which such means may be employed.
2. If the concern is "unit cohesion", then one would be hard pressed to make any realistic correlation between a veteran drawing retirement benefits and Active Duty unit cohesion.
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Jennifer Farley
CPO Glenn Moss Thank you for looking that up. The entire time I was reading this heartfelt post by MG Peter Bosse, I have always wanted to salute the flag and stand at absolute attention in respect of it, but I have never served in the military. I wondered if this would be looked down upon if I did that. The US Flag means so much to me and I am so proud to call it my flag and would love nothing but to be standing in a crowded stadium and have everyone stand at attention from first note all the way to the last not multi-tasking or thinking of things I need to do next, but to really think about the meaning and what those words mean. I get choked up whenever it plays anyway that I would probably have heart palpitations if I was present to ever see a sight like that! Regardless, I am absolutely with you MG Peter Bosse. Thank you both for your service to our great country and thank you for helping take a stand for Old Glory!
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