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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?
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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.
United States
American Flag
Saluting
Command Post
Military Life
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 152
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MG Bosse you may count me in. Like you I have always felt a little strange just placing my hand over my heart. Also, like you the flag and the anthem touch my heart and almost bring tears each time. It just destroys me each time I read or see on the news Old Glory be defiled by the ingrates that enjoy the freedom of our country. My blood boils and my heart races each time this comes to my attention. I am just thankful that I live in a part of the country where this act of treason happens very rarely. I am not sure if I would react kindly to an individual should I see this happen in person. I would rather not spend time in jail, but it might be worth it. GOD bless America and Old Glory.
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If you have doubts or second thoughts about saluting the Flag, read this memoir of mine - an experience that gives me the shivers every time I am reminded of what the late SGT Oscar Look Sr. USAAC, a Downeast Maine lobster fisherman related to me some years ago.
Oscar’s Flag
We stood on the steps of the old Post Office in Machias, Maine; me the Executive Director of the county Community Action Agency, headquartered in that building and he, a board member and WWII veteran. I knew that Oscar was a survivor of the Bataan Death March but no details, he never talked about that part of his life. I had just repaired and painted the old government flag pole and hung a halyard with a publicity plan to put up a Flag, first flag in many years over Main Street.
I thought that Oscar as a respected local veteran and lobster fisherman, might be interested in raising the Flag as part of the ceremony so I asked.
It was a grey gloomy day and we were just looking off into the distance over town. He was very quiet for a few moments, got a far off look in his eye then slowly and very softly responded: “No, I just couldn’t do it.” You see, Peter, after that damned “March” I was shipped to Northern Burma to a camp in the remote jungle. Our guys were dying like flies and by the end, we had lost 1,000’s to disease, malnutrition, torture and execution. One day at the end of the War, the camp guards just left and we were still dying. Because we were in such a remote place, rescue didn’t get to us right away so they sent C-47’s that dropped food and medical supplies. It was too late for some but they died free. Some of the guys gathered pieces of parachute and some other rags to fashion a crude American Flag that we raised over that camp. I will never forget those 5,000, sick, weak and some dying guys trying to stand at attention, holding each other up just to salute that Flag going up over their Hell. “No, I couldn’t do your Flag.”
Oscar’s Flag
We stood on the steps of the old Post Office in Machias, Maine; me the Executive Director of the county Community Action Agency, headquartered in that building and he, a board member and WWII veteran. I knew that Oscar was a survivor of the Bataan Death March but no details, he never talked about that part of his life. I had just repaired and painted the old government flag pole and hung a halyard with a publicity plan to put up a Flag, first flag in many years over Main Street.
I thought that Oscar as a respected local veteran and lobster fisherman, might be interested in raising the Flag as part of the ceremony so I asked.
It was a grey gloomy day and we were just looking off into the distance over town. He was very quiet for a few moments, got a far off look in his eye then slowly and very softly responded: “No, I just couldn’t do it.” You see, Peter, after that damned “March” I was shipped to Northern Burma to a camp in the remote jungle. Our guys were dying like flies and by the end, we had lost 1,000’s to disease, malnutrition, torture and execution. One day at the end of the War, the camp guards just left and we were still dying. Because we were in such a remote place, rescue didn’t get to us right away so they sent C-47’s that dropped food and medical supplies. It was too late for some but they died free. Some of the guys gathered pieces of parachute and some other rags to fashion a crude American Flag that we raised over that camp. I will never forget those 5,000, sick, weak and some dying guys trying to stand at attention, holding each other up just to salute that Flag going up over their Hell. “No, I couldn’t do your Flag.”
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SSG Donald Gallaway
Sounds like the "Best" reason to salute the flag.. unless I didn't get the meaning of your post..dd
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1LT Peter Duston
You got it! Oscar wanted me to understand that my flag raising was too much a publicity event - raising the Flag for him was bound up in the sacrifices he and his fellow POW's made.
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PO2 Richard C.
Downeast Mainahs are a crusty lot, especially the lobster-men and fishermen, unless/until they let you in to see the real them. I spent a lot of time in the Machias, Eastport, Robbinston area (Perry, ME to be exact) during the summers when I was a kid. His message came across loud and clear to this New Englander. I suspect you felt honored that he shared such a meaningful event in his life with you. I know I would! Thanks for that share.
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1LT Peter Duston
Thanks for your observation about "crusty" Downeastahs. You're right on. Oscar apparently never shared that with anyone else and after his death, his son, Oscar Jr. was so pleased to hear that story that he hadn't heard before.
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I find that today, there is that, 'oh well, I'll MAYBE salute but I'm OK with doing what I feel like doing at the moment'! That is part of the problem with this Country! I agree 100% that the flag is the SYMBOL of this Country and to salute is just what has been discussed. A Korean vet, I see a flag and it gets my attention, ALWAYS! Kept a flag hanging in front of my condo for years until I was penalized for it so had to take it down! They got the point, however!
Cpt. James M. Stewart
Cpt. James M. Stewart
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PO2 Richard C.
PO3 Bob McCord - Unfortunately, Bob, this country has become so politically correct and unpatriotic that nobody wants to offend anybody except those of us who believe in and support our country and the rights we served to protect. This is not the first instance I've heard/read about where building associations have banned the display of flags.
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PO2 Richard C.
You are probably correct. I read about an instance somewhere last summer where they made someone take down their American flag and pole because the association didn't allow flag displays, but a neighbor up the street was allowed to display a Mexican (or Puerto Rican, I forget which) flag off a pole on the side of their entry door. Guy sued. Didn't hear how it came out, but know there was no way the association could come out looking good or unscathed by either the Americans or Mexicans. And if they just dropped the policy, they would look stupid for even having it in the first place. I love it when just plain dumb folks cannot escape their inadequacies.
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PO2 Richard C.
PO3 Bob McCord - I've heard it before, but then again, I'm old too. Hope you have a good one too, Bob. Raining here on and off.
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I agree, they should have been brought to Attention then Present Arms. UNLESS, and here I am confused, it was a situation where the Commander salutes and the others remain at attention
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SSG Edward Tilton
You have six different countries in the picture and everyone does it different, especially the Brits
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I was recently at a Duqusene University football game, where as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman wearing my navy veterans ball cap. Was asked to all Military & Veterans to stand and be recognized for our service.....as I scanned the crowd there in the stadium only a few of us out of hundreds of people was standing tall.....I felt very special of such a small group. Then they National Anthem played we all rendered a smart hand salute in unison covered and uncovered. Neither team came out on the field until after the anthem played....
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LT Richard Mondak
We are Pittsburgh Proud, Navy Proud and brother HMs. Thank you for proudly and faithfully carrying on the tradition.
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I remember when George Bush approved the measure allowing salutes in civilian attire and I remember a lot of active duty and veterans both griping that it was unprofessional. I couldn't see why. I was at a parade once and saw the color guard come down the street and watched as those who I knew to be veterans removed their covers and put them over their hearts, while cililians stood next to them still covered, many talking and and showing not one iota of respect. Then across from me some older vets stood and saluted. Those around them stopped and looked and then placed their hands on their hearts. It was as if someone grabbed them and shook them for a moment...or shamed them. Either way... I saluted...and I'll keep on saluting.
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I salute Old Glory and during the National Anthem 100% of the time, indoors or out. I thought all of that got cleared up when POTUS G. W. Bush gave veterans back the RIGHT to salute? This is one right I EARNED, and will exercise it every time the opportunity presents itself!
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An interesting story about Old Glory.Many years ago I was attending a Veterans Day parade in the small town of Beloit,Ks.There was an abundance of WW ll veterans in attendance.People were handing out small flags to wave as the parade passed.I noticed the elderly gentleman next to me throw his flag on the ground.Pretty soon there were flags on the ground all up and down the route.Lesson learned;Take the Made in China sticker off 'Ol Glory
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