New Law
Authorizes Veterans Salutes During National Anthem
October 30, 2008 |
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 nations armed forces, said Secretary of Veterans
Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. This provision allows the
application of that honor in all events involving our nations
flag.
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
years provision also applied to members of the armed forces
while not in uniform.
Traditionally,
members of the nations veterans service organizations have
rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at
events involving the national flag while wearing their
organizations 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.
Article reprinted from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1609