Have you ever been confused whether you're supposed to put your hand over your heart or if you're authorized to salute when the U.S. flag passes the national anthem is played?
Current law (Section 9 of title 4, United States Code) says veterans and servicemembers not in uniform should put their hands over their hearts. It does not expressly say they're not authorized to salute the flag - but it does not say they can either, so that's the implication.
That's a sore spot for many veterans, for whom the salute is a point of pride in their service. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.) introduced legislation (S. 1877 and H.R. 3380, respectively) to change the law to state that those present in uniform "should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute [italics added]."
Last year a provision was included in the final version of the NDAA that allowed veterans to salute during the hoisting, lowering, or passing of the flag. The Senate looks to provide language in this year’s defense bill that would clarify that provision and allow a veteran to salute during the playing of the national anthem. So far the Senate has included legislation in the NDAA, but the House has not; differences will have to be worked out in conference committee.
MOAA fully supports this change. Please note that it does not mandate the salute for servicemembers and veterans not in uniform, but simply clarifies that they are authorized to honor the flag with a salute rather than the hand over the heart if they prefer.