VFW NC Post 2573 - Wilmington

Hand salute for Veterans, should we or shouldn't we?

Posted at 12:47 PM on Saturday, July 5, 2008 by post2573

There are changes that were made this year (in January National Defense Authorization Act) covering when the hand salute is appropriate for veterans.  This change was opposed by the American Legion I do not know if the VFW established a position however the salute is now your choice!

The VFW web site says the following under flag etiquette:

Salute
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.

Here is the exact text from H.R. 4986 Section 594 amending Section 9 of Title 4 of the United States Code which relates to the rendering of the military salute.  note the emphasis which shows what changed:

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.