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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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Always! When the law/ref changed it was wonderful to be able to once again salute! Got some funny looks a few times - many seem to still have trouble with women also being veterans even after all these years. My dad was a lifer - it bugged him to not be able to legally salute, too. Kinda wish he'd been around when that change occurred
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I am glad I'm not the only one who has been confused. Should I, is it disrespectful to those who serve, should I uncover first or not at all. I do on occasion render one to a fellow vet and almost always one at the casket of a deceased vet. I am in brother, she will get a salute from me every time henceforth.
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Old habits die hard. When I separated from active duty in 1972, the United States Flag Code said that veterans and military personnel in civilian clothes would honor the flag by placing their right hand over their heart. The same was true for the national anthem. The Code was amended in 2008, allowing us to render a proper hand salute for the flag even though we are not in uniform. It was amended again in 2009 to allow a hand salute for the national anthem. I have found that a lot of other veterans are not aware of the changes. I prefer a proper salute, but what really matters to me is that people show proper respect to the flag that I fought for and that friends died for.
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General, I have been challenged a couple of times by wise guys who said I wasn't authorized to salute in civvies. I begged to differ. Here is my justification:
https://www.thebalance.com/saluting-in-civilian-clothes-3356980
https://www.thebalance.com/saluting-in-civilian-clothes-3356980
Rules for Veterans Saluting in Civilian Clothes
Overview of saluting rules and history for Veterans and military personnel when they are not in uniform.
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Interesting that you brought this up ... during this last Independence day I made that same decision. Guess as I get older it is easier for me to stick to one thing that I feel comfortable with and can remember. I am with ya!
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To me it's the most natural reflect I have after 23 years of service, like you: active duty, national guard, army reserve. It just doesn't seem right to put my hand over my heart. I'm with you Sir!
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SGT Ronald Audas
I don't but I feel I have earned the right to salute my flag,even when out of uniform.
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I totally agree with you, it always felt weird to not salute. It's not like when you are indoors that you will hit somebody next to you with your elbow. I haven't had to be standing so close that I would have to worry about that. But it is within regulations that all veterans are allowed to salute whenever they would like and especially allowed to salute the flag. I'm personally a little split about what I should do because I have a 6 and 4 year old and my wife and I are really big about making sure they know proper respect for old glory. I think it would be cute to watch them copy me and salute the flag but also them putting their hand over their heart is the proper salute from them until they decide if they want to serve in the military.
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