Salute, or Hand over the Heart
This is a debate that will go on for a while.
Check out the discussion at Blackfive and SGT Hook. Thanks to Small Town Veteran Bill Faith.
Here are my thoughts:
Salute or Hand over heart. What a question. This is something that will stir and cause debates for some time to come.
I retired from the Army after 28 years, 5 months and 10 days. I rendered the hand salute when in uniform, removed my hat and place my right hand over my heart when not in uniform.
The greeting of the day accompanied the salute to an officer in and out of uniform.
As I remember, the salute is a priveledge, not a right. If one ends up in confinement, the priveledge to salute is taken away. This may have changed since I left active duty, but I don’t think so.
As for rendering honors to the National Anthem, passing of the Colors, or playing of Taps, I still remove my hat and place my right hand over my chest. I will make a suggestion to those who don’t pay the proper respect, especially those I perceive to be prior military.
Again, this debate will go on for some time to come. I don’t really think it matters HOW we pay respect. What matters is that WE DO pay respect.
Yes, I have served with pride. I earned the priveledge of saluting, and I shall continue to render honors appropriately and with dignity.
Echo9er. Out!
Let me know your thoughts.
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I have to agree with you: The important issue at hand is that we pay respect.
I like that the topic was brought up, because it gets everyone thinking about that respect, whether it’s by hand over heart or saluting.