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Vets may salute American flag without wearing uniforms, North Country Congressman Owens says

Posted 11/11/13

Rep. Bill Owens, a retired Air Force officer, is reminding veterans on this Veterans Day that new rules permit retired veterans to salute the flag in military style even when they are out of uniform. …

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Vets may salute American flag without wearing uniforms, North Country Congressman Owens says

Posted

Rep. Bill Owens, a retired Air Force officer, is reminding veterans on this Veterans Day that new rules permit retired veterans to salute the flag in military style even when they are out of uniform.

Owens said many veterans are unaware that in 2008 Congress authorized veterans out of uniform to hand salute the flag at appropriate events, including the playing of the national anthem at sporting events.

“I encourage all veterans to salute the flag during the national anthem,” Owens said. “Seeing veterans rising among the crowd to salute sends a powerful message to all in attendance.”

Prior to 2008 U.S. law only allowed veterans wearing a uniform to salute during flag ceremonies and the national anthem. Veterans wearing American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars caps were approved, but that meant many veterans attending public events like professional sporting events were not authorized to salute the flag.

This year, VetSalute and other veterans’ organizations are encouraging the National Football League to ask veterans to salute the flag during the performance of the national anthem.

Owens, a Plattsburgh Democrat, represents New York’s huge 21st Congressional District, which covers the area from Saratoga across to Oswego up to the border with Canada.