[Puppage]

If you're covered & outside and the National Anthem plays, you had better stand at attention & salute.

[Lurker]

That's what I've always done.

L

[em2vn]

When I was in the Navy we didn't salute indoors or out if uncovered or out of uniform.
I took a reaming in Saigon for not saluting an Army colonel when inside and not wearing a cover. I explained the Navy tradition to him but he needed confirmation from a passing Navy commander.
The commander simply said that gentlemen don't wear a cover inside, therefore, they don't salute inside.

[Free Baptist]

Are we talking about veterans out of uniform? I have seen photos of many presidents (of course, wearing civilian clothes) saluting their military officers, and so have most of you. But I have also seen photos of the same presidents with their hands or their hats (Truman, Ike, LBJ) over their hearts at ball games and other functions where the anthem is played. What's wrong standing proudly with the hand over the heart? Is someone suggesting a straight hand to the brow by veterans out of uniform?

I was in Manila early one morning and had forgotten that it was one of their (Philippines) national holidays. I was walking by one end of Rizal Park when they began playing their national anthem and raising their flag. There were many, many Filipinos who walked on by ignoring their own flag and anthem. I stood still and at attention through the whole thing. I kept my arms to my side, of course, as I was an alien, but I was more respectful than scores of Filipinos who walked on behind and by me. Several older Filipino gentlemen noticed me and at the end of the flag ceremony walked over to chat with me. I discovered that they were all veterans who had served with American units during WWII, and were gathered for a side function of their own on that holiday. They were very kind and thanked me for my show of respect.

In 1994 I had business one morning in Lexington, Missouri, the Lafayette County seat. We had just returned from four years in China. I parked in the old courthouse square. The sun was just peaking up above some of the old buildings there. A man in a simple Dickie gray work uniform, but very neat, walked out of the courthouse alone and very carefully attached the flag and ceremoniously raised it. He did not know that anyone was observing him. I was behind him across the square. I stood at attention as he drew the ropes, and my hand went to my heart. That man, I'd say in his 50s, stood there at attention for a good solid minute after raising the flag, with utmost respect. His love of country was intact and didn't need to be make an exhibition to be real. I stood there too and wept gratefully.

A man in China brought his father from a village to meet me. We home schooled our children, and there was an American flag displayed in our apartment in that Chinese city. The old man and his son sat and chatted with us. The elder village man seemed to stare at the American flag, and I got a little nervous. When I had the chance, I asked the son if our displaying the American flag in our apartment in China offended his father. The son just went ahead and asked his dad about it. I was surprised at the answer. The old farmer looked straight at me and said, "A Chinese man ought to respect a patriot, not matter what nation he is from...a visitor without love of his own country is not to be trusted in mine." Well, we realize that there are conditions on that statement, but I understood what he meant. I have met some of these socialist northern Europeans who are people without any national allegiance, and they are really not trustworthy people, but weird, freaky one-world types (like most U.N. volunteers and Peace Corp workers I have met. Sorry, but that's my experience).

[gunnyg]

"There are no regulations telling us veterans what we can and can't do in this matter. If we decide we want to salute, who will dare to tell us "no"? It is a matter of personal choice. We've earned the right to render a salute. Now the challenge is to get the word out. I believe the unit and branch associations are the best way. The commanders of the American Legion and VFW never answered my emails, presuming they even got them. If we can get this started it will take on a life of its own. Those who object can continue the hand over the heart thing. Gradually the custom will change, as well it should"

[Bean Counter]

As a Retired Navy Vet, I do not always salute in public places. We were at the hockey game last Saturday, and when they sang the National Anthem, I stood at attention, uncovered, and held my hat over my heart.

It is a matter of choice folks; not protocol. I don't feel comfortable saluting in civilian clothes, so I don't. If I were among a group of my Veteran buddies at the same hockey game, we all might choose to salute as a group...

Don't knock a Vet's patriotism over something like this.