Sly Bald Guys Forum
Various Non-Bald Discussions => Military/Serviceman => Topic started by: Paul on August 16, 2007, 06:19:36 PM
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Check out this latest info from the Chief of Staff:
APPROVED FOR DISTRIBUTION BY THE CHIEF OF STAFF
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
veterans 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 other 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."
Any comments from the sly veteran brothers (or others) on this legislation?
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had no clue that you guys could not do that. this is a great change to a really stupid law. you serve this country, then you have the right to salute if you so choose. i know it would touch me to see people saluting at a game or other event. thanks for your service/time guys.
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I've always considered the hand over the heart a salute. But this is a good thing.
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Hey Thanks for the post Paul.
I wasnt aware of this silly legislation that prohibited veterans or service members not in uniform to salute.
Serving our country is the highest honor one can do in my opinion. We forever owe our freedom to the service and blood of our servicemen and women.
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right on....long over due for the vets O0
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Wow, like Pburke, I never knew that all you vets couldn't salute the flag...legally. d3@
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i think the big deal was you had to be in uniform to salute...vet or active...
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I don't see why it should be illeagal for a non vet or serviceman to salute. it's about honour and respect....
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"Bout time.
One of my more treasured possessions is the flag is which draped my Grandfather's coffin in 1938. He was a veteran of WW One (Navy and Army). It's been unfolded three times since his death. My Grandmother used it at the church for a special service following the announcement of the Pearl Harbor Attack. She again used it for the services on V-E Day and again on V-J Day.
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right on....long over due for the vets O0
FINALLY.....better L8 than never.
WARHAWK O0
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Man, I'm with some of the others. I never knew that was a law. I'm glad to hear the change though. People serving, or who have served, our country deserve our utmost respect. The least this country can let them do is salute our flag that represents this great country that they put there lives on the line to protect. Whether they are uniform or not. Glad to hear the change has been made even though it shouldn't have had to be in the first place. O0
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I never knew that either, this is great news.
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Thanks for the post Paul! I am going to use it in my upcoming classes I teach! O0
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Great news, thanks for the info Paul...I will salute this Sunday at the game O0
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I spent so many years saluting that I felt funny just putting my hand over my heart. I sure am glad they changed that.
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I saluted @ the Phillies game on Sunday, my hand was shaking the whole time, but it brought back great memories and reminded me to be proud that I served my country.
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Awesome YOSP. Haven't had the opportunity to use the new reg yet. Any reaction from the surrounding fans?
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I don't see why it should be illeagal for a non vet or serviceman to salute. it's about honour and respect....
I like this decision!
To me the salute is an earned privilege and should be reserved for those who actually served. 8)
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As a Soldier, im glad they changed. the sad thing to me is that so few people, including servicemen, even know what the reg was and where it was outlined. Most of our Soldiers dont even know the bugle calls today. Go to an Air Force base today and watch airmen refusing to pay courtesies to the flag when Retreat and To The Colors are played at 1700 is sad. Want to see something reaalysad? Watch film of ballgames from the 40's and 50's and watch every American stand and REMOVE their headgear(hats) when the anthem is played and the colors are posted or as the colors just pass in review. Today, half of them wont even remove their hats... Oh well, there I go again....
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Ugh. I remember 10 years ago on an USAF base ... only we Sailors would stop and salute at Colors / Retreat ... and the USAF Airmen would run into buildings.
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As a Soldier, im glad they changed. the sad thing to me is that so few people, including servicemen, even know what the reg was and where it was outlined. Most of our Soldiers dont even know the bugle calls today. Go to an Air Force base today and watch airmen refusing to pay courtesies to the flag when Retreat and To The Colors are played at 1700 is sad. Want to see something reaalysad? Watch film of ballgames from the 40's and 50's and watch every American stand and REMOVE their headgear(hats) when the anthem is played and the colors are posted or as the colors just pass in review. Today, half of them wont even remove their hats... Oh well, there I go again....
It is only "enforced" at some USAF bases, but I do think it needs to be done by everyone regardless.
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I graduated from the Coast Guard Academy 2 years ago. Even at a military academy we had a debate going on as to whether it was appropriate to stand in the position of attention or place your hand over your heart while the national anthem was playing, if out of uniform. At the center of the debate was that placing your hand over your heart is considered a 'civilian salute'... a form of paying respect for those who don't wear the uniform. This is interesting, and I'm not sure where I stand on it, but I think I like it. I just hope that people who haven't heard of this law don't watch servicemen and women salute at a ball game, and think it is appropriate for themselves to throw up a half assed lazy salute, with their fingers spread wide apart.
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Ugh. I remember 10 years ago on an USAF base ... only we Sailors would stop and salute at Colors / Retreat ... and the USAF Airmen would run into buildings.
OK, I'm going to have to insert my experience as an Air Force veteran, especially in regards to Airmen vs Seamen behavior..
In 1993 when I was deployed to Vicenza, Italy for a NATO operation, we Airmen continued doing such silly things as wearing our covers (hats) outdoors and saluting officers while our Navy counterparts no longer bothered.
As for reveille/retreat/taps, I have never seen Airmen ignoring them (whether in civvies or uniform) at any Air Base I've ever been at (which is many, since I grew up an Air Force brat and then joined myself).
Anyway, I don't mean to sound defensive or antagonistic.. The disrespect the Air Force gets just wears on me sometimes. Even the results of the "which branch" poll listed it as the "Air Farce". All that being said, I know it's almost always just in good fun. My favorite rejoinder is that we Air Force enlisted go about things the right way, we send our OFFICERS into battle while we stay safely behind LOL
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Part of my experience was that as squids on an airbase, we were in the minority. Maybe there were just more airmen to see ditching colors. No offense intended, bro.
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Part of my experience was that as squids on an airbase, we were in the minority. Maybe there were just more airmen to see ditching colors. No offense intended, bro.
None taken. Like I said, I'm sure it's all in good fun!
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i have seen several vetrans at high school football games and when the national anthem plays, they are usually all at attention. gives me a sense of pride because i know i have heroes in my area. i think if you serve your country, you have earned the right to salute the flag. thank you once again to those that serve or have served.
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Go to an Air Force base today and watch airmen refusing to pay courtesies to the flag when Retreat and To The Colors are played at 1700 is sad.
I am an Airman who is proud to serve and never runs away when retreat plays. It makes me mad when people run away or dont stop thier car if they are driving.
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Good deal. Once a person has served it is forever a part of them!!! Like it!!