Flag etiquette
A bill that recently passed the Senate finally makes it clear that current and former military personnel can now salute the flag even if they aren’t wearing their uniforms.
The change to U.S. Code Title 4, Chapter 1 introduced by U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) passed the Senate July 25. The old law said veterans and service members not in uniform should place their hand over their heart when they stand before the flag, but it never made it clear whether they could or should salute the flag. Inhofe said he believed it was the appropriate way for the 25 million U.S. veterans to show their patriotism.
“The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one’s military service,” Senator Inhofe said in a news release. “Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform.”