Is it appropriate for an American citizen who has never served in the military, to render a military style hand salute (right hand to the brow) to the American Flag as it passes in a parade?

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• says who, last i heard this was supposed to be a free country
  you know, freedom, that thing those respected men fought and died for

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  by zwatcher on September 9th, 2011

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• Anyone can do just about anything that they want. However, that does not make it appropriate. It is not appropriate to give a military style salute if one is not in uniform.

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  by Glenn Blaylock on August 27th, 2008

• its perfectly appropriate.. its respectful. Its not REQUIRED by any means, but if someone is patriotic and respectrful enough to do it, its fine.

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  by prisoner on August 29th, 2008

• No, the appropriate salute for a civilian is to place one's right hand over one's heart, just as you do when you recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

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  by Glenn Blaylock on August 29th, 2008

• there is no written rule or law for or against saluting of civilians..

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  by prisoner on August 29th, 2008

• Actually, yes, it is a matter of law:
  -
  "During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing
  in a parade or in review, 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 the 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."
  Title 4 United States Code: Section 9
  http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf

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  by Glenn Blaylock on August 30th, 2008

• That's more like a guideline as supposed to an actual law.
  It still does not sat DO NOT SALUTE. It just suggests that it is not REQUIRED for civilians to salute.
  And it says veterans "MAY render" salute, but it is not required.

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  by prisoner on August 30th, 2008

• As I wrote in my original comment, one MAY DO WHAT EVER THEY WANT. However, that does not make it appropriate. These guidelines define what is the appropriate way for each group to salute.

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  by Glenn Blaylock on August 30th, 2008

• i think in this subject, its to ones own personal OPINION as to whether its appropriate or not.

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  by prisoner on August 30th, 2008

• Today I saw an AT&T (the phone company) sticker on a phone booth supporting the troops saying, "We SALUTE You." Is that not appropriate?

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  by prisoner on August 31st, 2009

• Yes, it is quit appropriate to salute the troops. However, as a civilian, there is a right way anad a wrong way. I am not saying that anyone would or should be offended if a civilian gave a military-style salute, especially if it were given as a sincere show of respect, but it still is really not an appropriate way for someone who is not in uniform to salute.

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  by Glenn Blaylock on August 31st, 2009

• funny, many military personnel seem to feel that it is appropriate

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  by zwatcher on September 9th, 2011

• Any show of respect for those who serve this nation in the military is appreciated. However, I would say that the education system in this country, among it other failures, has also failed to educate the rising generations in what is and is not appropriate protocol with respect to the ways to salute. Thus, most people don't know what is appropriate. I mean no disrespect to those who serve or those civilians who choose to show their respect by using military style salutes. However, ignorance of proper protocol does not change what is or is not an appropriate way to salute. Note, above I posted the actual statute that states the proper ways to salute. I would be against taking legal action against anyone one who violated those guidelines. However, that does not change the fact that what is and is not a proper way to salute has been codified.

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  by Glenn Blaylock on September 9th, 2011

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• Recent changes to the US Flag Code now allow military personnel out of uniform and all veterans to render the hand salute to the colors.

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  by CannedHam on August 31st, 2009

• i'm saluting the us flag code right now
  with one finger

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  by zwatcher on September 9th, 2011

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• Which is why i dont do it! :)
  I had no idea non-military people did it anyhow.

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  by Pixie - jeg er elsket on August 30th, 2009

• I think only the misguided do.

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  by Tveg on August 30th, 2009

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• a salute is honoring authority, or recognizing authority. I salute fire engines as they drive by. They have authority. In the USNavy, when a military officer drove by in a military car, we saluted the car. so a civilian can salute the flag, because they are recognizing the authority of the flag.

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  by DudeLer 2 on August 26th, 2008

• He had a tummy ache!!!

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  by Route 66Truckerman on August 30th, 2009

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• It's not restricted to military. Boy scouts, Police, Fire etc... All salute If in uniform. And yes if covered

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  by Kgsult on March 4th, 2007

• anyone can salute

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  by prisoner on August 26th, 2008

• Actually you can salute even if you arn't wearing a hat.... lol

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  by AirTrafficController on September 10th, 2008

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