Veterans can now salute the flag during the playing of the National Anthem

[Guest dlstewart01]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 30, 2008

New Law Authorizes Veterans’ Salutes during National Anthem

WASHINGTON -- Veterans and active-duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect this month.

“The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation’s armed forces,†said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation’s flag.â€

The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year’s provision also applied to members of the armed forces while not in uniform.

Traditionally, members of the nation’s veterans service organizations have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag while wearing their organization’s official head-gear.

The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct. 14.

The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008.

# # #

For the latest news releases and other information, visit VA on the Internet at

http://www.va.gov/opa.

To receive e-mail copies of news releases, subscribe to VA’s list server at:

http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/opalist_listserv.cfm.

[Guest GimpyLeg]

No disrespect intended, sir, but that "news flash" is a year old.

[Guest dlstewart01]

No disrespect intended, sir, but that "news flash" is a year old.

No disrespect taken. It doesn't matter how old it is, there are a lot of people not aware of this.

Have a good one.

Edited November 1, 2009 by dlstewart01

[Mr. Brooks]

No disrespect taken. It doesn't matter how old it is, there are a lot of people not aware of this.

I was one of them. Thanks for posting this up.

[Steelharp]

That it ever would have been against the law is a travesty, IMHO.

[Guest GimpyLeg]

No disrespect taken. It doesn't matter how old it is, there are a lot of people not aware of this.

To that I have no doubt, so thank you for posting!

[Guest ArmyVeteran37214]

I was one of them. Thanks for posting this up.

[Aviator]

Thanks, did not know that.

[Punisher84]

Good stuff. Didn't know this either.

[Guest H0TSH0T]

thanks, but i think someone would have got a butt whoopen if they tried to stop me in the first place.

[DWARREN123]

It was a sign of respect for civillians and prior/retired military to place their right hand over their heart. Since this has been in place retired can now also give a hand salute as a sign of respect.

Any sign of respect should never be disallowed.

[Guest KarlS]

Didn't know but I'm glad I do now. I'll be saluting. Now did it get taken OUT by THIS president when he signed the defense spending bill last week?

[Guest Gun Geek]

Did not know this either. Good to know, thanks for posting.

[oldogy]

I, too, was ignorant of the latest change. I will proudly salute when appropriate.

Many thanks for posting,

oldogy

[E4 No More]

I had no idea it was a federal law.

[Guest Swamprunner]

Thanks for letting us know. I will render honors heartily.

[Chief07]

Thanks for the post.

I wasn't aware of this.

[bajabuc]

I didn't know

[vontar]

I didn't know

To repeat

No disrespect intended, sir, but that "news flash" is a year old.

2 years later is now even older hehe

Edited April 26, 2011 by vontar

[bajabuc]

I've not been a member very long..I'm still working my way through about a million old posts.

I may not have much...but I do have an opinion. Not my fault my wife says different!

[Guest DELETED]

I never knew it was against any law to salute a flag in the first place.

[Grunt67]

Glad to learn the Fed. law finally came on board with me. Been doing it all along

at the high school football games in Trousdale Co. Never been arrested yet.

Of course, there's not a lot of Feds hanging around Hartsville. LOL

U.S. Army Retired

[Chief07]

As a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, I've been doing that for years.

NASCAR races, County Functions, High School football games.

God bless America! And God bless all our veterans!

[ftncityfatboy]

To say its against the law to salute whether retired military or non-military is retarded. Just more federal bs designed to keep us asking "WTF". That's my opinion, feel free to make it yours....oh, and what about the boy scouts? I'm a retired boy scout, can I salute now? Geezzz