Posted on Jun 6, 2015
Post-military, do continue with the salute (hand to temple) or place hand on heart?
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My official service ended in 2011 and now in my civilian life as a teacher, we pledge allegiance to the flag. My question is, are we veterans supposed to salute with the knife hand to the temple or are we supposed to place our hand on our heart like the ordinary civilians?
Saluting
Protocol
Etiquette
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 41
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Hand salute is allowed. Also when TAPS played and at military funeral. We earned that right as veterans.
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SPC Alejandro Martinez
One of the duties I did as honor guard was to play taps at military funerals. I will always hand salute in military cemeteries and for veterans at civilian cemeteries.
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I have rendered the right hand salute for many years even before the DOD announced that it was OK for civilian veterans to do so.
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I will hand salute until three days after I'm dead. My tombstone will have a U.S Flag on it so that I can salute it in the next life, too.
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SPC Alejandro Martinez
I like this idea. Where I am buried will probably depend on the current circumstance. If I die first but the financial situation is tight, my wife will be very tempted to place me in a military cemetery along with the other veterans. If I died first and finances are plentiful or we had enough insurance, my wife will place me in a double plot. If my wife passes first, I will certainly use the cash in my insurance to make sure we are buried together. If we die simultaneously, I hope my son will know what to do, read the will and follow our wishes stated therein.
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SPC Martinez, Sir:... Funny thing, but unless I think before I act, I find myself starting to place my right hand just above my right eye brow.... oops, but what the heck its okay as I correct it ... man its been some 45 years.. think I would be over it.. NOT !
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Hand over heart for me when saying Pledge or during National Anthem. I return salute from gate guard. Once I hung up the uniform, I felt comfortable acting like a Civilian. Didn't have an occasion to wear the uniform during the last 20 years.
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