Lee Terry: “I thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for accepting my amendment as part of this en bloc package. In the last…”

“I thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for accepting my amendment as part of this en bloc package. In the last months of the Bush Administration, a change was made authorizing veterans and active-duty military not in uniform to render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake said at the time, ``The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation's armed forces. This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation's flag.'' This change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009 and improved upon a little known change that was contained in the previous National Defense Authorization Act which authorized veterans to render the military- style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. These were important changes; however, they should have been broadened even further to authorize veterans and active-duty military not in uniform to render the military-style hand salute during the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.…”