For the benefit of veterans and military retirees who aren't able to stay current on such things - and for all interested citizens - there has been an important change in how former service members may honor the American flag.
The change is that military veterans now have the privilege to lawfully salute the hoisting, lowering or passing of the flag. President Bush has signed enabling language permitting the salute in the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. Previously, only military members in uniform were permitted to honor the flag with a military salute.
That portion of the Flag Code now reads: "Members of the Armed Forces and verterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute.
All other persons 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."
The change is that military veterans now have the privilege to lawfully salute the hoisting, lowering or passing of the flag. President Bush has signed enabling language permitting the salute in the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. Previously, only military members in uniform were permitted to honor the flag with a military salute.
That portion of the Flag Code now reads: "Members of the Armed Forces and verterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute.
All other persons 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."
