![]() ![]() In the British Army, as late as the American Revolution, a soldier would salute by removing his hat with his right hand. One thing we do know is that among armies throughout history, the right hand (designated as the "weapon hand") has been raised as a greeting of friendship. The military salute has become of the most common elements of the military trade throughout the world, and unfortunately, the exact origin of this gesture has been lost in time. In 2008, the US Congress approved legislation allowing veterans and military members who are not in uniform to salute the flag. A military hand salute is considered a privilege earned by those who have served in the Armed Forces, so it should be reserved for this purpose.Īs an interesting fact, it was tradition for only uniformed soldiers to salute the American flag during the National Anthem or when raising or lowering the flag. In addition, men and women should remove their hats. Rather, civilians should place their right hand over their hearts during the National Anthem. So, instead of saluting, most soldiers would agree that a simple wave or “thank you for your service” is appreciated - and welcomed.Ĭivilians are encouraged to be respectful of the American flag, especially during the National Anthem, but this does not include a hand salute. With that in mind, a salute from a civilian may feel uncomfortable or awkward. ![]() A salute is part of an official protocol that active soldiers follow, and outside official duties, the military salute is rarely displayed. Even members of the Armed Forces who are out of uniform do not salute one another. While a salute is considered to be a gesture of respect, there’s etiquette involved when it comes to rendering a hand salute, whether you are a veteran, active service member, or civilian.Īs a civilian, saluting soldiers is not a recommended way to honor a current or former member of the military. Understanding what it means to signal a salute and how to appropriately do so in the company of a current or former member of the Armed Forces is an important part of being a respectful American. Regardless of the Medal of Honor’s recipient's rank, officers and enlisted service members will always render the hand salute first. Medal of Honor recipients are the exception to this custom. ![]() Salutes are reciprocated at the highest levels up to and including Heads of State and are indicative of mutual trust and respect. Some military branches have variations on the exact placement and form of the salute, but the ‘palm down’ method is found to be the most common. Most often, it’s shown by a hand salute, which involves raising the right hand with the fingers and thumb extended and joined together with the palm down. When it comes to a military salute, in particular, it’s a custom by which a soldier signals acknowledgment of the due respect to a superior rank. It’s a way to address someone with expressions of kind wishes, courtesy, or honor. Merriam-Webster defines a salute as a sign or ceremony expressing goodwill or respect. With today being Veteran’s Day, and so many Americans ready to tip their hat to those who have served, we thought it would be interesting to talk about the meaning and purpose of a salute. ![]()
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