Posted on Mar 24, 2016
Can soldiers in civilian clothes salute a fallen comrade memorial?
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I recently visited the Fallen Warriors Memorial on Cutten Road in Spring, TX. While I was there, I noticed a Veteran wearing a Vietnam hat and although I wanted to walk over to him and shake his hand, I decided to back off as he was paying his respects; however, prior to him leaving he stood in front of the memorial, came to attention and held a salute for a few seconds before bringing it down. So my question is actually coming from me as I've felt compelled to salute as well, but have refrained as I'm not sure what is correct.
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 580
This has been the way since there have been Military to salute fallen comrades. That this question is posted gives be great pause though...
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Of course you can. But, even if you couldn't, do it anyway. It's worth an ass chewing.
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MCPO Roger Collins
It's been authorized for some timw. I don't, because most civilians don't know of the change, saluting in mufti. So I honor them in the traditional manner.
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I don't give a fuck whether anyone thinks it's correct or not. A salute is between fellow warriors, or soldiers, if one wants to be pedantic. No one except a warrior has the right to judge. Any warrior would likely agree with me. And, if not, I refer you to my first sentence.
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SPC Lyle Montgomery
I agree . I wouldn't let anu busybody tell me what to do in the first place. I'd tell them to go fuck themselves
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SGT James Murphy
SPC Lyle Montgomery - I agree. Come on Down to a DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Meeting and tell us we can't salute!
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You can honor a fallen comrade anywhere and at any time.
Try and make a rule or regulation that stops me.
Try and make a rule or regulation that stops me.
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This is RESPECT! This has nothing to do with some paper pushing punk who is only about the rules and doesn't live the credo. I have no problems with vets/retiree giving a hand salute to the flag, the fallen or even each other. We earned it and NO ONE has the authority over me to stop me from doing what I feel is right. (Sorry, don't mean to sound so angry!)
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SPC (Join to see)
Thanks for chiming in Mr. Swanson, I agree with you 100% and feel the same way about it, but as you may be aware, I'm still new in the ARNG and am doing my best to learn fast and be up to speed so that I may one day be a good leader.
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Every day when I go to my local Veterans Hospital for treatment, I see vets from The Persian Gulf, Afghanistan , Vietnam, Korea and World War II. These wonderful guys and gals deserve all the respect that I can give. So I will snap to attention and render a hand salute, even though I am not in uniform.
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Suspended Profile
This is an act that has you conflicted? Really? If you can't figure it out on your own I don't think you can emotionally handle my answer.
As with many things in the military, tradition plays a major role in the why of what we do. The tradition of saluting started in medieval times, and was used by knights to identify themselves to other allied knights and as a show of respect. The knight would use his hand to raise his visor so that the other knight could see, and recognize, his face. Today we render salutes to senior ranking officers. Under the Marine Corps' 10th General Order, for all Marines, I am required to render a salute to all officers and all colors and standards not cased. Under the tradition of saluting, I may feel compelled from time to time to salute my brother or sister in arms regardless of their rank or station. As a retired Marine I know that I am still, and always will be, a Marine. As a defender of our nation I am compelled to honor and salute our fallen comrades, for they have paid the ultimate price and deserve my unwavering respect. In saluting a war memorial, I not only identify myself as a comrade and a brother to those who are represented there, but I also show respect to those men and women who have gone before me.
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