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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 always recognize the flag. Often I salute. I have been doing so for a few years now. To me it just seems right.
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If I understand correctly, veterans can now salute the flag when she is present. This has just come about within the last 2 or 3 years. I now feel better that I can salute.
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PO2 Gerry Roberson Sr.
I ALWAYS saluted even when it wasn't "legal" to do so. Even then, I felt, "ARREST ME!!". I knew who and what I was saluting and why. Perhaps enough of us got together and "punched them in the forehead and made them see the clear light of truth", changing that law making it easier to salute without looking over one's shoulder.
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Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance
Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance
Maybe this is a post where Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance should be posted again. Notice what he does when the normal recitation of the Pledge is done. Listen to his lament at the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZBTyTWOZCM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZBTyTWOZCM
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SSG Robert Webster
SCPO Don Groves - I was 12 when this aired and happened to watch it with my grandfather.
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SFC Charles Woods
Was lucky enough to actually see this when it aired.Thank you for posting it here.
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PO2 Gerry Roberson Sr.
If only everyone understood it for what it actually means and actively and fully participated, living it out, and electing officials who we can ALWAYS be proud of.
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SSG Robert Webster
PO2 Gerry Roberson Sr. - And there-in lies the primary issue with way too many Americans - Fully participate, they do not fully participate and then throw a public tantrum because they did not get their way. Interestingly most did not participate in the decision making process, but then complain way too much about the results.
They can take time to march on Washington, D.C., or their city or someone else's city, but do not and will not take the time to vote?
They can take time to march on Washington, D.C., or their city or someone else's city, but do not and will not take the time to vote?
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great Piece and Ideal...
I almost always do anyway...
thanks for the recall of History
I almost always do anyway...
thanks for the recall of History
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I salute 100% indoors and out doors. When asked why, I just say...serve at lease two years in any branch of service and you'll understand. Why, can't be explained when emotions and history in involved. At least from my experience. SEMPER FI to all who have served and those who continue to serve.
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Cpl Thomas Kifer
I wish to thank all those who have "Liked" my post and enabled me to gain points. I am new here and am thankful we as Vet's, active duty and Reservists have a home we can call our own. When in the Corps we consider ourselves the best this country has to offer. But truth be told, the serves men and women in thier perspective branches, think they are the best branch that this great country has to offer. Which brings me to my point, that all members of every branh of Service is unique in of itself and proud in the duties they perform. So to that, it is my honor to say....SEMPER FI to all my brothers and sisters that live and sacrifice to a higher and greater CODE of HONOR.
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At all of our Post Meetings as Commander of, American Legion, Post 208, Millis, MA With our pledge of Allegiance to the flag We salute the flag as well as recite the Pledge of Allegiance. We also have an empty chair with our seating at all meetings the back is covered with a POW Missing in action cover. We first have a moment of silence to remember those that could not be here in person with us but are here in spirit with their brothers and sisters after that the command present Arms is given followed by order arms and We proceed on this the next portion of the meeting.
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1LT Peter Duston
Thanks SMSgt! We do the same in our Legion and especially remember a local man MIA in Korea and the Korean War MIA who was my trumpet teacher and taught me Taps when I was 12 so I could become my Scout Troop Bugler. Still bugling after all these years - 100's of funerals.
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I think protocol says that in an assembled hall of all uniformed personnel, they stand at attention for the playing of the National Anthem but in a public crowd, we are authorized by DOD to salute whether in uniform or not. This morning as I met with a high school official during morning announcements and I heard the Pledge of Allegiance over the PA system, I called the office to rise and I gave my best salute during the recitation. Afterwards, I was able to educate the office on proper Flag etiquette and left feeling proud of my service.
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Being in the Air Force for 22 plus years, being in the Air Police/Security Police I raised and lowered our flag many many times. It always placed a lump in my Heart and tears in my eyes. Today every time I hear and see retreat being conducted I get out of my car and salute. I am very proud of my flag and my country. God Bless each of you reading this and God Bless America.
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I always salute Old Glory, always. Even when walking down the street and passing a flag, I salute. I can no longer stand as I am paraplegic but every time I pass a flag or the flag passes me, I salute. I salute because America took me in and made me one of her sons. I salute because I served more than twenty years in uniform. I salute because of all the men, some who are no longer here, that I knew who also served under that flag. This is my protocol. It is written nowhere but in my heart. Nuff said.
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