Can anyone salute the flag?

Saluting the flag is a gesture reserved for the military. While civilians can salute soldiers, many veterans consider it inappropriate or awkward.

Is it disrespectful to salute the flag if you’re not in the military?

Originally Answered: Isn’t it considered disrespectful to salute a military individual, if you aren’t in the military or army at all? Saluting is a military custom, not a civilian one. It isn’t disrespectful, its all customs and tradition.

Can soldiers salute the flag in civilian clothes?

Saluting the American Flag when in civilian attire MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. When in athletic clothing, face the flag or music, remove hat or cap and stand at attention; a hand salute is not given.

Can veterans salute during pledge allegiance?

The code has been changed to permit veterans out of uniform to salute the flag “during hoisting, lowering or passing”. But it does not address saluting during the Pledge of Allegience.

Can law enforcement salute the flag?

Police officers in uniform should stand at attention and render a military-style salute when the flag passes in a parade, when it is hoisted, when it is lowered and when the National Anthem is played.

Do veterans salute at a military funeral?

Former military members not in uniform may salute. All veterans qualify for a military funeral, whether they were retired, on active duty or a member of the Reserve or National Guard. It doesn’t matter what rank the deceased attained in the service or whether or not they died in combat.

Can Retired veterans salute in civilian clothes?

A provision of the 2009 Defense Authorization Act changed federal law to allow U.S. veterans and military personnel not in uniform to render the military hand-salute when the national anthem is played.

Can retired police officers salute the flag?

1 Out of Uniform Officers If they are veterans or current members of any branch of the U.S. military, including the Reserves or National Guard, they should render a military salute to the flag. If a police officer is out of uniform and has never served in the U.S. armed forces a civilian salute is sufficient.

Are military veterans allowed to hand salute the flag?

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 contained an amendment to allow un-uniformed servicemembers, military retirees, and veterans to render a hand salute during the hoisting, lowering, or passing of the U.S. flag . A later amendment further authorized hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel.

Is it OK for a civilian to salute a veteran?

Military personnel have a number of requirements for rendering hand salutes. Civilians have none. They are not prohibited from rendering salutes as a show of respect, however. And it is very possible a veteran might render a salute under certain circumstances.

Can the government force us to salute the flag?

In that case, the Supreme Court reversed its decision in Billy’s case. The Court held that the right of free speech guaranteed in the First Amendment to the Constitution means the government cannot force anyone to salute the American flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance .

Can veterans salute the flag in civilian clothes?

Officially, combat veterans, active-duty personnel, and retirees can only salute the flag while in uniform. The new rule, or lack thereof, allowing salutes in civilian attire has some vets concerned that soon everyone, civilians especially, is going to think they can throw down a military salute.