Public Law 110-181, Section 594: SEC. 594. CONDUCT BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS OUT OF UNIFORM DURING HOISTING, LOWERING, OR PASSING OF UNITED STATES FLAG. Section 9 of title 4, United States Code, is amended by striking ``all persons present'' and all that follows through the end of the section and inserting the following:
``all persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces [[Page 122 STAT. 139]] and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.''.
Veterans now are authorized to render the Hand Salute during the playing of our National Anthem, however......
We are Marines. Marines do not usually render a hand salute if uncovered. So, does anyone have any info on what the proper protocol is for those of us that are old used up Marines that would love to render a hand salute to show honor to our National Colors?
Or should we as Marines just do what we wish and tell anyone that might question us..."I'm a Marine!" That answer ought satisfy most.
Thoughts?