[imardmd1]

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful reply! For me, I would heart-salute during the national anthem, but that is preference rather than protocol. Protocol is citizens citing allegiance to the Flag, not requiring verbal participation by the retiree or veteran saluting during the ceremony, I would say, because the veteran has shown his allegiance when sworn in for a military occupation, a fact understood by all.

However, if one is facing the trooping of the colors by the color guard, in a formation or during a parade, a male in civilian dress ought to doff his cover and acknowledge the passing of the colors by a heart salute with it (again, I would say, and not be able to prove outright).

Correct me if this is wrong according to the book of etiquette or protocol. Thanks again.

[Hulka]

Thank you.

The rules were changed for active duty out of uniform and vets to allow the hand salute.

Prior to the change, when out of uniform, and now that I am retired, I would find myself rendering honors with a hand salute before I realized it.

I found myself naturally gravitating to the hand salute because it was the most natural and reflexive action that my body was programmed to do when rendering honors. It was what I was programmed to do and anything else just didn’t feel natural. The hand-salute “fits.”

At any rate, we have the choice, hand over heart or hand salute, it is up to the person to decide.

Either way, whats in the heart counts.

Cheers.