Posted on 03/23/2006 5:07:45 AM PST by gunnyg
Once upon a time I was an Army cadet. Then the Clinton Junta seized control of the State and cut off scholarships to the program I was in.
I was taught, however, that one only salutes while in uniform.
No offense taken, I wasn't affiliated long enough for recall to become an issue.
In the Navy on base you had better hold that salute till the long note at the end.
The way the National Anthem is "presently" rendered at most ballgames, with a "personal rendition" by the performer, requires a rigid middle digit salute.
I'm glad I scrolled the thread, Guns....If that pic wasn't here, I was gonna post it.
I'll bet he razzed you for that. Look for the gold hat band, no gold, no salute. Anyway CPOs just look salty.
Bingo. Even active duty OUT OF UNIFORM do not salute.
Nothing wrong with hand over heart, it's every bit as respectful and completely appropriate.
On January 11 of this year we buried my grandfather. He, like your friend's dad, was quite a man and quite the patriot. He spoke of his time in the US Navy during WW II often to my kids and my 9 yo son took a particularly keen interest in his great-grandfather's service. IOW, he was a living hero in my son's eyes. At his funeral, he was given military honors. Now my 9 yo son didn't know about proper protocol and such so when the bugler began playing Taps he "stood at attention" as grandpa had shown him in the past and he saluted. He held his salute until the flag was presented to my grandmother. I noticed other vets there; some in full dress and some with just their hats and some saluted and some held their hands over their hearts. All of them noticed my little boy who stood graveside with tears streaming down his face while saluting his grandfather and the flag. Now, he didn't do everything according to protocol. He began his salute when Taps was played, but his salute was a heartfelt honest reverence for his papa and the flag. One of grandpa's friends and my next door neighbor, John Mims, a Bataan deathmarch survior, said he has seen many things in his life that moved him but not many made him choke up anymore. He said watching my son pay his respects to his grandpa and the flag brought tears to his eyes.
This is what I was taught in '65.
7.37.2.3. When in civilian clothing outdoors, take the same action as when in uniform, but use the following manner of saluting. Men remove the headdress with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder with the right hand over the heart. Men without hats and women salute by standing at attention and placing the right hand over the heart.
7.37.2.4. When in civilian clothing indoors, render the civilian salute by standing at attention and placing the right hand over the heart.
Is there a protocol for uniformed civilians to salute? I often see Boy Scouts, uniformed cops, and even fire chiefs in dress uniform saluting at various events.
In polite settings, the males remove their headgear while indoors (unless they are under arms)
From what I have seen from several sources thus far--my own messageboards, messageboards where I have posted this info, and other messageboards where others have also posted this info, plus my own e-mail and e-mail from others--the response is overwhelmingly in favor of the hand salute over the hand over heart--both retirees and veterans alike.
I would point out that there is apparently no organized effort as such on this thing, General Lewis has simply sent out e-mail and veterans and retired military responding; some stating that they will introduce the material to their military service organizations, etc. That is, in fact, what the general has suggested. In the event this develops into some sort of unified/organized movement, I would like to know about it, as I do have numerous messageboards/websites online.
Ref
Gunny G's...
http://www.network54.com/Forum/135069/
Please keep me informed.
Semper Fidelis
Dick Gaines
GyG
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