Although the Fourth of July has just passed, I thought I would pass on the
following information regarding veterans and rendering a hand salute to
colorsL
New Law Allows Retirees and Vets to Salute Flag The National Defense
Authorization Act of 2008 contained an amendment to allow un-uniformed
service members, military retirees, and veterans to render a hand salute
during the hoisting, lowering, or passing of the U.S. flag. The amendment
does not address saluting the flag during the playing of the national
anthem, pledge of allegiance, honors (i.e. Taps), or any other saluting
situations.
Excerpt from H.R. 4986:
SEC. 594. CONDUCT BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS OUT OF UNIFORM
DURING HOISTING, LOWERING, OR PASSING OF UNITED STATES FLAG.
Section 9 of title 4, United States Code, is amended by striking "all
persons present" and all that follows through the end of the section and
inserting the following: "all persons present in uniform should render the
military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present
but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present
should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the
heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and
hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of
other countries present should stand at attention. All such conduct toward
the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag
passes."
Buster
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