The Peru Gazette

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens  

PLATTSBURGH, NY—For Veterans Day, Congressman Bill Owens thanked veterans and encouraged them to hand salute the flag during the national anthem and other flag ceremonies. 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.

“Thank you to all Americans who served our nation and all of their families for their support and sacrifices,” Congressman Bill Owens said. “I encourage all veterans to salute the flag during the national anthem. 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. 

A recent article in The Chicago Tribune  highlighted the national movement to encourage veterans to hand salute the flag. As part of the movement, Korean War veteran and astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin recently started VetSalute to raise awareness among veterans that they are now allowed to salute out of uniform, as he did from the surface of the Moon after planting the American flag there during the Apollo XI mission.

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. According to The Chicago Tribune, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the only NFL team to specifically encourage veterans to salute the flag.