Attention All Vets

JoAnnDallas · Post by **JoAnnDallas** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:36 pm

I know this is not TG news but many of us are vets.

Veterans and active-duty members of the military not in uniform may now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem based on a provision included in the Fiscal 2009 defense authorization act that became law earlier this month. "The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation's armed forces," Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake, said in a VA release yesterday. He continued, "This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation's flag." Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), an Army veteran, sponsored the measure, which builds upon language in last year's defense legislation that authorized veterans and members of the armed forces not in uniform to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag. 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.

JoAnn

Virginia · Post by **Virginia** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:57 pm

I'd have to think about that!

I know when I won the World Bench Press in '07 and again this year in Palm Springs, you stand on the 1st place block while they play the winning country's national anthem. In both instances, I had the American flag drapped around my neck but I put my right hand over my heart!

My initial feelings are that to salute, since I am a veteran, may be a bit much. Kind of an "in your face" thing. In Germany my two opponents were from Finland and Japan so probably no real problem and in Palm Springs, Brazil and Germany, so again no real problem, but had it been China, or Russia it might have been "taken out of context" so to speak!

Any who, I think it is a great idea for parades and even sporting events. It tells those around you that because of you and you "brotherhood" we can have these events and to remember those who are not there because they made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.

Editorial: I think a lot of our youth don't have a clue what it means to make "the ultimate sacrifice" for one's country and that is a sad thing. However, after this election, well, it may be that a lot of us veterans will only be able to shake our bowed heads and wonder when the next shoe will drop (on us?)

Virginia

Carolynn · Post by **Carolynn** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:53 am

Uuuuhmmm, well, anything that phoney baloney Jim Imhoff sponsors is likely a total crock, and he is up for re-election this year and has been appealing to the vet. organzations. I do not trust the backside any farther than I can throw him, and I think that would not be too far. I sure hope we can toss him out of the sandbox this year.

As far as saluting, I wasn't that fond of my military experience, and for me the ranking in order of importance of the keys to military discipline and success put Family first, then maybe Country and then way down at the bottom, Flag and God. Idiot people, anyway. People like Imhoff and our esteemed Presi-den-tey like to wrap themselves in our national symbol of heraldry for their own advantages and access to economic success and power, not any sense of patriotism.

Except in the old Al Capp character sense I guess, "What's Good for General Bullmoose is Good for the USA!!!" Anyone else old enough to remember that symbol of war profiteering and unbridled capitalism?

Jaye · Post by **Jaye** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:54 am

I don't know about the law, but in my experience, veterans, and combat vets in particular, tend to salute anyway, either during the playing of the anthem, or alternately, speaking the Pledge of Allegiance.

CherryLynn · Post by **CherryLynn** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:06 am

Being a Vet I am very glad about that. I'll be in DC for Veterans Day and planning seeing all the Veteran's Memorials.

Carol Ann · Post by **Carol Ann** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 1:30 pm

OK for what it's worth I to this day still Salute the flag of my country an am damn proud to say I gave 13 years defending this country that I love.

I wear my airborne shirts with pride and if every called again even as old as I am I would go.

GOD BLESS this country and the people who serve and defend her.

Virginia · Post by **Virginia** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 7:41 pm

Hey Carol Ann, I'll fly the plane if you want to jump out of it!

Love ya,

Virginia

Kandis · Post by **Kandis** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 4:58 pm

Damned right I'll salute. I served this country proudly and honorably.

Diannna · Post by **Diannna** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:34 pm

I have mixed feelings about this hand salute. Don't get me wrong. I served for 4 years also and was proud to do so. But I'm just as content to put my hand over my heart when it comes to our Nation Anthem. I don't know about anyone else here, but when I hear that song being played, I still get a lump in my throat. While I'm at it, let me add a little fuel to the fire. Why is it I've heard them play "America The Beautiful" in place of our National Anthem. I love that song too, but it is NOT our National Anthem. Is there something I missed? ( please excuse my spelling and punctuations, I know some one here is having a kiniption fit, hehehe!)
Love Ya's all

Jaye · Post by **Jaye** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:16 am

Diannna wrote:Why is it I've heard them play "America The Beautiful" in place of our National Anthem. I love that song too, but it is NOT our National Anthem. Is there something I missed?

Diannna,

There is actually a small movement out there who wish to change the national anthem. They have a few points in their favor:

1 - "The Star Spangled Banner" was written almost on the spur of the moment. There's nothing wrong with that, but the author used the tune of a (then) well-known drinking song as the basis for the melody.

2 - "The Star Spangled Banner" paints a pretty-ish picture, but it's about a battle. Rockets' red glare? Bombs bursting in air? Nobody wants that imagery in their national song, do they?

3 - "The Star Spangled Banner" is hard to sing. Never mind all the musical mangling that's been done over the years (Roseanne springs to mind, for one), but it wasn't written with the vocalist in mind. Instrumentals are a lot easier to manage. I'm partial to the Jimi Hendrix rendition meself.

On the other hand, "America the Beautiful" is easy to sing, and easy to remember. You don't have to be a pro to make it sound pretty, though many have (Ray Charles is a good one).

I don't have a particular stance either way. I've only ever had to sing the song once, in elementary school. We did it as a class, in music class, and the teacher decided to have the talented few do it as a smaller group, rather than torture our families with the sound of twenty-odd gutted animals. I have often pondered why it wasn't a different song, but it least it's neither "God Bless America" nor "God Bless the USA".

Post by **DonnaT** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:17 am

Been pondering on this for a bit.

I didn't particularly like saluting while in the Army, not sure how I feel about it dressed in civies.

But right now it just doesn't feel right. Heck, even when serving we were told not to salute when in civies.

And if you're in a crowd, that right elbow would surely protrude into someone elses space.

CharLee · Post by **CharLee** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:30 am

As a veteran myself, and a PROUD American, I too feel honored and humbled when hearing our National Anthem played. I know all veterans who have served our country, whether for only a few years or for a lifetime feel a special patriotic pride when hearing it played, more so than the general public.
In these troubled times, I only wish that the fourth stanza of the Star Spangled Banner would be sung for it reflects what our nation is facing. For those who have never heard or sung the fourth stanza I print it out for you.

O, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand,
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven rescuded land
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: " In God is our trust"
And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Diannna · Post by **Diannna** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 7:28 pm

Dear Jaye,
I applaude your answer to my post. I really do think that "America The Beautiful" has a place in our culture. It really is a beautiful song and the words say a lot about us and our country. But I would not vote on it to take the place of our Nation Anthem. Though our National Anthem may have once been a tune or malody from an old drinking song of long ago, I listen to the words and believe it say's a whole lot more about us. I agree the song is most difficult to sing and play. But I believe the mode of the music is what sets me to goose bumps and a lump in my throat.
I'm getting old and pretty much set in my ways in this respect. I have also mellowed out quite a bit, althought some would argue that.
At any rate, I suppose we could go on and on as we all have our own opinions. I don't contribute as much as I would like to on this board, and I do love this board and all the people. I just feel pretty strong about this one.
Love ya's all.

Lori A · Post by **Lori A** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:42 pm

Hell, I never knew we weren't supposed to. I have always done it whether in or out of the military, in or out of uniform. I beat my assistant squad leader down in front of the whole company one morning as a private, because when I heard Revelry playing and brought it to the Plt Sgts attention, that lousy SOB said it was just a "Rag on a pole". And when I stood before my Plt Ldr that evening surrounded by every member of my chain of command up to him, I told them all to lead, follow, or get the hell out of my way. He threatened to give me a General Courts Martial, and I said I would lead the way to the C O's office. Yea, I was insubordinate and knew it, but they knew I was right about their lack of leadership and the old man was a pointer, they didn't want to argue their point against mine that day.
I have and will continue to render a Military Style Salute to the Grand Old Flag, even if this country that I love ceases to exist in any form that I have always known and loved under the next administration. Whether I like it or not, he is my President too. But when they strip all of the red and blue off of Old Glory because those colors offend some one or some group because they have meant oppression or occupation of someone in history regardless of how much hope and good change they have meant to the world maybe the rest of you will love what you've created.
President-elect Obama didn't even cover his heart while the National Anthem was being played when he was sweet talking some of you into voting for him and strongly resisted wearing a flag repel pin on the campaign trail, and you want me to believe he loves this country that he will soon lead?

Lori A · Post by **Lori A** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 11:07 pm

CharLee wrote:As a veteran myself, and a PROUD American

O, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand,
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven rescuded land
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: " In God is our trust"
And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

THANK YOU BROTHER!!!