To me, the salute represents respect for our country, the country that got England out of a badly disintegrating situation in World War II. He’s thanking us on behalf of his country and acknowledging that they could not have won without us.
I’m a little taken aback by the disrespect shown on this thread for a British officer and Britain in general. They are still our cousins across the pond, and our greater strength in world affairs does not entitle us to show disrespect for other countries, especially those countries that nurtured the ancestors of our founders.
I think there are not enough people alive right now who remember the Second World War. We are playing with fire with World War III as if WWII is just a story from the history books. It’s still a forever bond that we fought and defeated a great enemy together. Or it should be.
You would be hard pressed to find anyone supporting Prince Harry in England right now. Anti monarchists and race hustlers are fans.
If you think we’re ‘disrespecting’ Harry, you ought to see what most Brits think of him. They’re appalled at the ingrate.
A lot of us resent this brat precisely because we DO respect Britain and its Monarchy.
I'm a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, combat vet, and there is no universe in which I'm entitled to a salute from active duty U.S. troops. Unless it's my own funeral.
So why would a former officer in the British military be entitled to one??