Saturday, November 1, 2008

New Law Authorizes Veterans' Salutes during National Anthem

Dear Commanders,

I am including a press release from the VA that is of interest to us.

In comradeship,
Ronald Limpach, Legislative Officer.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2008

New Law Authorizes Veterans’ Salutes during National Anthem
WASHINGTON -- 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 Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “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 members of the armed forces 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 on Oct. 14.

The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel 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.
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1 comment:

Unknown said...

Another way to show our respect and; “Help to make sure that those who put others first are always taken care of and their sacrifices are never forgotten.” – Please show your support for all veterans by supporting John McCain.

As a fellow veteran have you also been walking down that lonely street of dreams? Well it is time to stop hanging on to the promises of yesterday, and walk alongside John McCain in bipartisan unity.

While a good president knows there would be no United States without veterans he would-not rightly put veterans in front of our Country (what true veteran would even want that?). Veterans barely survived these last thirty years and our funding has finally been getting on the right track, and with no thanks to this congress for adding billions in back door pork, earmarks and/or amnesty for illegal’s etc…As President McCain will stop this waste and has stated the VA will be properly funded. Yes, for once with President McCain it will be!

All our active duty military deserve the best Commander In Chief and veterans also deserve the best. McCain knows were he’s been and knows the way our country must go…

Whitesnake performing: Here I Go Again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKTiwCez6Zs

WE HAVE NO MORE TIME TO WASTE VOTE MCCAIN