Evan Evans, wearing the blue shirt of a district officer, performs the salute.
With seriousness, Joe Harrison performs the salute while under an umbrella.
Pat Tomberlain, retired Atlanta High teacher of history, salutes.
The late Cleo Duncan remembers as he salutes.
From left, the late Charles Thompson, Sam Wadsworth and Dean Hopper are saluting.
SALUTE
Neil Abeles
Citizens Journal-Sun
(Editor’s Note: The memory of Memorial Day May 26 continues year round in many hearts. Shown here in 2013 are local veterans of the J. E. Manning American Legion Post 258 as they salute the occasion.)
The salute is most often seen on Memorial Day. On this day, the salute is given with a solemn manner. The hand is held a long time at the forehead, the body straight and still, with no hint of a smile.
The gesture displays respect. Memorial Day is about respect for those who gave their lives that others might live.
The salute is primarily associated with armed forces. Its respect goes not to the individual but to the commission carried from the country. For some countries, only two fingers are extended. In others, the head is almost, but not quite, touched.
In several of the U.S. services, hand salutes are given only when the head is covered.
In some, saluting indoors is forbidden except when formerly reporting to a superior officer or during an indoor ceremony.
When the presence of snipers is suspected, military salutes are generally forbidden, since the enemy may use them to recognize officers as valuable targets.
U.S. military personnel do not salute when riding motorcycles or bicycles.
There are different kinds of salutes. A salute battery is the firing of cannon or rifles. Guns render military honors for dignitaries or the graveside funerals of veterans.
The form of aerial salute is known as the “flyover.” A flyover is accompanied by a missing man formation where either the formation is missing an aircraft or a single plane abruptly leaves a formation.
In the United States, civilians may salute the American flag by placing the hand over the heart or by standing at attention. Men and boys remove their hats, excepting religious headdress.
There are occasional salutes. Hand salutes rendered by the drum major of a marching band prior to performance is an example.
On Memorial Day, the reason for saluting is clear. A look at the faces of veterans attending Memorial Service in 2013 reveal this.