Saluting the Flag of the United States of America

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla) recently sponsored a bill that was unanimously passed by the Senate - clarifying federal law and affirming that active duty and retired military members in civilian clothes may now salute the U.S. Flag during ceremonies, rather than traditionally placing their right hand over their heart. See the summary on Senator Inhofe's page HERE.

I certainly respect the Senator's intent. However, as an honorably retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, following a 26-year career that began in 1978, I actually take exception to Senator Inhofe's bill. Here's why:

-Honoring the Flag of the United States of America is not about me - it's about honoring the principles and tenets of democracy. Somehow, though, by saluting in civilian clothes this is now reversed as some kind of honor bestowed upon me - I'm an "inspiration - a role model." While those things may be true - sometimes, the focus should be on the honor we give to the ideals of democracy in this nation - not any particular group. It is the idea of freedom that we put our life on the line for, not anyone that has gone before us or some confused notion that there should be gradations of patriotism such that the military and retired military honor the flag differently when wearing civilian clothes - that somehow we have 'earned' this right and others have not. Frankly, I'm not that special - and I would hope that others with my background would feel somewhat the same.

-Paying tribute, showing respect, honoring the ideal - these are all actions of humility - that I am subordinate as an individual to these great ideals - to freedom as we practice it here - the rights of freedom before my individual rights. Regardless of how well-intentioned, creating a segment of society that seemingly has 'greater' rights in terms of honoring the flag - well, it seems contrary to the entire point of humility and selflessness.

-Further, I can't imagine a single situation where any civilian that actually saluted the flag at a ceremony would be admonished - "Don't do that, you don't have the right." That would be absurd. As well, any military member (retired or otherwise) can wear their uniform practically whenever they want with the following caveats - 1) not during protests, 2) not to advance business interests, 3) not to advance political interests, and finally 4) not in any manner or environment that would bring discredit to the armed forces. Meaning, as an old retired guy, I can put my uniform on (it does still fit) and wear it to ballgames, parades, weddings, museum openings, etc - and salute the flag to my heart's desire - because I'm in uniform.

-I am perfectly content in placing my right hand over my heart during 'Present Colors,' while in civilian clothes - the honor is to the flag and what it represents (the ideal of democracy - not historical veterans) along with the rest of the people that make this nation great - the farmers and factory workers, the firefighters and cops, the housewives and hardware store owners, the pastors and the plumbers.

-There is no doubt that this nation loves it's military - but, we don't own the corner on patriotism - we enjoy no heightened entitlement to honoring the flag. The War of Independence was fought largely by civilians - the military did not invent freedom, we protect our national interests. Our democracy came about by steadfast commitment to a set of principles - not by honoring one group over another.

In my mind, the last thing we need is a law that separates us one from another in terms of the honor we bestow on the symbol of our freedom.

Finally, being the old retired guy that I am, I can assure you that as I write this, the Uniform Regulations manuals for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force are now being amended by some energetic military bureaucrat to reflect this new federal law. In fact, as very few things are truly 'optional' in the military, I anticipate that the new regulations will have ALL active duty members trained and directed to salute the flag while in civilian clothes (perhaps even extending to the retired community, as even retired Sailors are still under jurisdiction of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the Navy Uniform Regulations) - this, I believe, diminishes the uniform and all of the traditions that attend it.

I'm proud of my Navy career, proud to have worn the uniform - but frankly I'm prouder yet to count myself among the millions of non-military Americans that go about their daily business, creating the environment based on the principles I swore to protect so many years ago - for that I need no additional honor - nor do any of my fellow retirees or our history of fallen veterans - to be numbered as an American of integrity more than fills the bill.

I foresee that this post could be misinterpreted by those of mind to - so let me add a few lines; We salute when in uniform - because we are in uniform. Because we had the privilege to serve our nation in uniform - we need no other honor (for those active and retired). We honor the Flag of the United States of America as a nation, not as individuals, and we certainly do not include some type of reverse honor bestowed on us in the process of respecting the Flag - we act selflessly without drawing unnecessary attention to ourselves. For those that disagree with these assertions, then we've falsely elevated service in the military above the privilege of being an American.