• HR4886, the National Defense Authorization Act (“Act”) for Fiscal Year 2008 became Public Law No. 110-181 on January 28, 2008.  Section 594 of the Act defines appropriate conduct for active military, veterans, and non-veteran civilians when the US flag is raised, lowered, or passes in parade.  In essence, it is now a matter of law that veterans wearing civilian attire have the right (and some say the duty) to render the military salute during hoisting, lowering, or passing of the Flag.

“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 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.”