Conduct of a veteran during the hoisting, lowering or passing in review of our U.S. Flag.

The simple answer to your question is “yes.” to saluting the flag.

With the passage of the February 2008 Defense Authorization Act, specifically S.1877 which amended Title 4, U.S. Code, veterans may now salute the U.S. Flag during the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review. In September 2008, Congress passed and the President signed the 2009 Defense Authorization Act which included sec. 595 and added the playing of the National Anthem to the occasions for a military hand salute by veterans. Later legislation is planned to add the Pledge of Allegiance. The VFW encourages all veterans to render a hand salute under these circumstances, regardless of their headgear or lack of headgear.

The purpose of this legislation is to honor veterans by allowing them this unique response in a public forum. The rendering of a hand salute by an individual in civilian clothes will identify them as a U.S. military veteran to those around.