Turns out there is:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today praised the passage by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag.Current law (US Code Title 4, Chapter 1) states that veterans and servicemen not in uniform should place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether they can or should salute the flag.
“The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one’s military service,” Senator Inhofe said. “Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform. Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veteran and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not. I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military and remain as role models to others citizens. Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others.”
This Bill was passed July 25, 2007.
So now you know, vets. Pass it on.
(H/T to ex-Blackbird Fingers for the gouge.)
Lex,
Clarification please. Does one uncover, then salute or just keep the hat on and salute.
Tried it at a Mariner game the other day. Feels good.
Tx,
Dave
The text isn’t clear. I imagine that if I was wearing military headgear – an old command ball cap for example – I’d feel more comfortable saluting than if I was wearing a team cap. OTOH, in the Navy we don’t customarily salute when uncovered and since I’m still active, I don’t wear uniform articles when not in uniform.
Not much longer now, though!
I suspect it means at anytime, uncovered or not. I’ll happily do it in my Army Reserve or 5th SFG(A) hat. Or even my Ft. Benning hat.
Now we just have to get the house to vote on it without larding it up with pork earmarks (just because they can) and then get the President to sign it.
Law or no I’ve always rendrerd a military salute to the flag as a civilian… its about time. Best
Maybe I’m old fashioned, but hand over heart feels more appropriate out of uniform, and you rarely see that from most civilians. That sets the example too.
I’ve been proudly standing at attention since I got out, though I’ve been know to render a salute when wearing an old cover. Always preferred to do something more formal than the hand over the heart. Now I will just as proudly render the flag a salute. Thanks for passing this on Lex.
i’m with Snake Eater on this one.
now we just need to figure out a way to teach USNA folks to march and come close to a real salute and they’ll be almost presentable.
This is a big, big deal. If it fizzles, it’s another step back down the long cynicism ladder for this Vet. Without a viable – check that – strong military subculture, this culture is toast.
There must be a yawning hole in the Democratic party just waiting for a patriotic, strong – military, red – white – and blue, charismatic someone to fill it. [Note to California 4th Congressional District voters - Charlie Brown, you ain't even close]
MajMike,
Right after we teach the WooPoo’s how to play football……..
Role model to the other citizens? You check your hat size lately?
Are you talking to me? That was Senator Inhofe’s quote, not mine. Hence the “blockquote” indentation, font and divider. Go take offense somewhere it’s been given. I do so tire of those who look for reasons to be offended.
Tedious.
I’m a 7 3/8, by the way. Hasn’t changed in years.
So sorry, I didn’t mean to be personal. Your post certainly was not ambiguous, my response was.
It seems to me we are all free to salute the flag during public gatherings in anyway that moves us. Some show indifference or disrespect and that certainly reflects on them and not the flag. Personally, I like to remove my hat with my right hand and place it over my heart. No reason, I just really like the way it looks.
Creating a legislated hierarchy of public patriotic response, based on who you are, seems uncalled for, to me. We’re divided up enough as it is.
I don’t know about role model, lex, but you are an inspiration to all of us, young or old.
Nice. I like the salute part.
As far as Navy guys/gals marching, best description I heard from a Gunny at Navy Intel school looking at a group of IS A school guys marching towards us. “Looks like a centipede on Barbituates”. I lost both my diet coke and cigarette.
Well then my apologies, reddog, for taking my own offense where none was intended.
I have, alas, become what I’ve beheld.
As a civilian, I think that vets and active/reserve/etc. servicemembers have earned the right to salute anytime, so I’m glad to see this formalized. I always remove a hat, if I’m wearing one (I have quite a collection of golf course caps) and place my hand over my heart at a Mariner’s game, and so does my hubby.
I am sad that this is not unanimous, in fact – and it makes me want to slap people. Some folks not only don’t take off their hats – they talk while the Star Spangled Banner is being played! *argghhhh!*
A few thoughts if I may add to the discussion:
1) Being able to salute the flag is a privilege earned by having served honorably in the military. It comes at great cost.
2) Never having served, I’m jealous as all get out. I admire and respect those who have earned that privilege.
3) Being limited to civilian status doesn’t mean I’m denied the privilege of being able to show my love and respect for my country and its flag.
4) Few things stir my heart as much as seeing my country’s flag, and servicemen in uniform. Where I live, I’m denied even the honor of flying it, and hardly ever see it.
5) I’m happy for veterans who have longed to salute when not in uniform, and now will be able to. They’ve earned it.
6) I worry that civilian wannabes and impostors will take advantage of this and abuse it, posing falsely as veterans.
7) I worry that some may salute while dressed in any variety of clothing, which ultimately would bring dishonor on the military tradition.
9) I worry that the end result of this (if it becomes law) will be to reduce the privilege of saluting the flag, and lower the incredibly high esteem the military has (deservedly) earned.
10) That’s why ultimately I think extending the privilege of saluting to veterans out of uniform is not a good idea.
Speaking as an ignorant but respectful civilian,
Peter W.
(in Japan)
All good points Peter, but I suspect the kind of folks who would abuse the privilege are not the kind who felt themselves previously restrained by the lack of controlling legal authority
Last I checked no one was prevented from saluting if they so desired. Seems more laws for the sake of laws and a pat on the back for a politician that should have been focusing our representatives on our infrastructure, the war effort, tax reform, social security reform, education reform, the obesity epidemic, or even that cheating thing by the freakin Pats. Ok so that last one was B.S. but most of it deserves much more attention that a bill to make a Senator look good and everyone feel good.
On a second note, it is with great pride and solemn reflection that I salute my flag at every moment I am presented. I still feel just as proud and patriotic when I stand with my hand over my heart. Ten to one the Navy does not institute out of uniform and uncovered salutes. Like for instance in PT gear.
Glad you like it to all that do.
Perhaps I misread the article, but this isn’t law yet. The bill passed the Senate and is now in the House Subcommittee.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01877:@@@L&summ2=m&
I’m of two minds when it comes to hand salutes in civvies. On one hand I’ve always liked the differentiation of uniformed salute / civilian (veterans included) hand-over-heart. On the other hand, I do render a snappy salute, if I do say so myself.
To modify somewhat my comment # 4 above …I have on occasion placed my hand over my heart to salute the flag when is seemed appropriate for the occasion…but most times I render a military salute ( and a snappy old dog one it is) as a jab in the ass to the aging, unwashed, greasy haired , Hippie Sh*t-Bags that infest my environs. Best