Attention All Veterans and Active Duty U.S. Military AF Members

Since many of us on AF are Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, Active Duty and Retired Military I thought the following would be beneficial information to post. It involves the latest change to law concerning saluting during the playing of the national anthem and other situations. :thumbsup:



Source: VA News
WASHINGTON (AFRNS)

Veterans and active-duty military not in uniform
can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the
national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect this
month.

"The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who
have served in our nation's armed forces," said Dr. James B. Peake,
secretary of Veterans Affairs. "This provision allows the application of
that honor in all events involving our nation's flag."

The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law
last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand
salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did
not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year's provision
also applied to servicemembers while not in uniform.

Traditionally, members of the nation's veterans service organizations
have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events
involving the national flag while wearing their organization's official
head-gear.

The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national
anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored
by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the
Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed Oct. 14.

The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and
out-of-uniform servicemembers during the raising, lowering or passing of
the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of
2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008.