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November 09, 2008

A Salute Update

Congress has included the provisions of H.R.3380 and S.1877 in H.R. 4986, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which President Bush signed into law on January 28th, 2008! The relevant section is Section 594 of the resolution and reads as follows:
SEC. 594. CONDUCT BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS OUT OF UNIFORM DURING HOISTING, LOWERING, OR PASSING OF UNITED STATES FLAG.

Section 9 of title 4, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘all persons present’’ and all that follows through the end of the section and inserting the following: ‘‘all persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.’’.

That snappy salute is good to go!!

Posted by tree hugging sister at November 9, 2008 06:02 PM

Comments

I'm not following why this is significant.

Posted by: Skyler at November 9, 2008 08:47 PM

Ah, good news, Sis! Thanks for the word.

Posted by: The_Real_JeffS at November 9, 2008 10:27 PM

Okay, the former reading of the statute was (from LexisNexis),

"2008. Act Jan. 28, 2008, substituted the text of this section for text which read: "During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes."

*************

So I'm guessing that you just want to be able to salute during the passing of the colors instead putting your hand over your heart. I'm still not sure why this is important.

Posted by: Skyler at November 9, 2008 11:23 PM

It allows military personnel and veterans in civilian dress to put themselves apart from the rest of the population. Part of me likes that, but part of me is not sure it's appropriate, because it becomes more about the person rendering the salute than it is about the flag and what it represents.

It also now requires women in civilian dress to remove their headdress just like men always have. I'm all for equality but that just seems odd.

Posted by: Dave J at November 10, 2008 01:01 AM

I liked this language: "Aliens should stand at attention."

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at November 10, 2008 06:19 AM

Then I guess we know what YOU'LL be doing, Bingley, big green, goggle-eyed head and all!

Posted by: tree hugging sister at November 10, 2008 09:27 AM

I'm with Dave. Veterans should be citizens just like anyone else.

And Bingley also brings up an importnat point. This sets a dangerous precedent for aliens. First they can't salute or put their hands over their hearts, next they won't be allowed to let their heart light glow. Who knows where it will stop?


Posted by: Skyler at November 10, 2008 09:43 AM

I think it's the whole "three digit" thing Skyler. Long, spindly, pseudo-fingers waggling make people uncomfortable.

Posted by: tree hugging sister at November 10, 2008 11:13 AM

THREE digits, Sis? What about those species with SIX digits? Or tentacles?

Are you a closet digitalist?

Posted by: The_Real_JeffS at November 10, 2008 11:32 AM

Our new Commander in Chief will need to be briefed on this.
He will certainly need saluting lessons.

Posted by: nancy at November 10, 2008 07:19 PM

Our new Commander in Chief will need a briefing.

Posted by: nancy at November 10, 2008 07:59 PM

sorry about the double :)

Happy Birthday to The Marines. I think I listened to
10 different versions of the hymn today.

Posted by: nancy at November 10, 2008 08:27 PM