Can i salute during the national anthem

Spokeswoman Lt. This month, the U. The sailor, Petty Officer 2nd Class Janaye Ervin, is an intelligence specialist in the Navy Reserve who was in Hawaii for about two weeks for an exercise. A deleted post on a Facebook page that appears to belong to Ervin explains why she chose not to stand during the National Anthem.

It was my pleasure serving my country, I love it dearly, that is why I must do this for you. I will keep you all posted on what happens next! Ervin did not respond to efforts made by The Associated Press to verify the post, including messages sent via social media and email. A working telephone number for Ervin could not be found. Varnado, who retired as colonel after 27 years in the Army, said she was taught that those wearing the uniform represented not just themselves but the military and the United States.

If you are not wearing a non-military style cover I would remove it as a courtesy. For example your Yankees ball cap would not be a military style cover this would also apply to baseball caps that have Veteran, Army, USMC, or other military themed hats.

Then render your salute as you did when you were in active service at the eyebrow. For everybody else hand over heart is the appropriate. Now when it comes to the pledge of allegiance you have a different standard. The US Flag code states:. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.

Members of the Armed Forces not in uniform and veterans may render the military salute in the manner provided for persons in uniform. If you are on active service in the military and are in full uniform you will stand at attention and salute, but you will remain silent. This harkens back to the tradition of your oath that you took to enter military service is a higher oath than the pledge of allegiance. This is not to discourage you from saying the Pledge it is instead just a guideline in full military uniform.

The Flag Code states that if you render a hand salute during the Pledge you must do it as you were in full uniform. So a veteran can render a hand salute but they must remain silent during the pledge. Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,. O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,. Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? Men not in uniform should remove any headdress with their right hand and hold it at their left shoulder, the code states.

This is generally observed at sporting events. NFL players may not put on their helmets until after the anthem is played. The Flag Code makes no mention of whether the anthem should be sung by those present. However, singing the Star-Spangled Banner is encouraged from school onwards - in some schools it is compulsory. In the National Anthem Committee wrote that "it is of paramount importance that emphasis be placed upon the singing of the National Anthem".

Numerous manufacturers of flag merchandise could be in trouble here. The Flag Code states that it should not be used for any advertising purpose, and should not be embroidered or printed on any material for temporary use.

It should also never be part of a costume or sports uniform, or used as "wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery". Olympic medal winners who celebrate their success by covering themselves in the flag should take note. Also, the flag should never be displayed upside down, except as a symbol of "dire distress". Protesters throughout the world frequently set alight US flags to demonstrate their hatred of America, but you would not face prosecution for doing so in the US itself.