Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) introduced legislation on Thursday, the 69th anniversary of D-Day, to allow veterans and military personnel not in uniform to salute the U.S. flag during the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Veterans Equality to Salute Act would amend the United States Code that does not allow current and former members of the military to salute to the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance.
“This common-sense legislation creates parity for those veterans and active-duty military not in uniform who want to give a military-style salute when they are reciting the Pledge of Allegiance,” Terry said. “Today is an appropriate day to introduce this legislation and celebrate our vets who take deep pride in being able to honor with a military-style salute the flag they selflessly pledged to defend.”
Congress passed an amendment in 2008 that changed Title 4 of United States Code to allow veterans and military members not in uniform to render a military-style salute during the raising, lowering and passing of the flag. The 2009 Defense Authorization Act allowed veterans and military personnel not in uniform to give a military-style salute to the flag during the National Anthem.
The laws did not include the Pledge of Allegiance.
Terry’s proposed bill recently received the endorsement from Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“This legislation is based on an idea brought to me by our local VFW,’ Terry said. “It is just common sense that the flag code should be amended.”