Gunner's Blog

I gathered some 16 of my old military friends who agreed to sponsor a movement for Veterans to salute rather than place their hands over their heart when honoring the flag, fallen comrades, and/or the country.  I have some from each of the four principal services.  Three of them were former Vice Chiefs or Assistant Commandants of their services, and several were former CINC's. 
 
We refer to saluting when we do the pledge to the flag, when the National Colors pass or are presented, when the National Anthem or honors are played, or when taps are played and firing squads or guns render honors.
 
We got MOAA magazine to ask veterans what they preferred, hand over the heart or saluting.  When last I looked, some 583 veteran respondents had voted 81% in favor of the salute. In addition, my email address was in the questionaire and I've had about 150 responses, with all but a dozen or so in favor of the salute. Obviously an overwhelming majority of the veterans want to salute.
 
There are no regulations telling us veterans what we can and can't do in this matter. If we decide we want to salute, who will dare to tell us "no"?
 
It is a matter of personal choice. We've earned the right to render a salute. Now the challenge is to get the word out. I believe the unit and branch associations are the best way. The commanders of the American Legion and VFW never answered my emails, presuming they even got them. If we can get this started it will take on a life of its own. Those who object can continue the hand over the heart thing. Gradually the custom will change, as well it should.
 
Just imagine thousands of fans saluting at NFL, MBA, and Major League Baseball games when the National Anthem is played. It will telegraph a message to all others of how many have served this country in the Armed Forces---it will be a positive and patriotic message.
 
You can help by putting the word out in your organizations, which are made up of patriots like you and me. Thanks, my friend.
 
Vernon B.
 
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I went to the MOAA website (www.moaa.org) and checked a poll on this subject.  Here are the results as of this writing:

Do you think that veterans should salute - covered or uncovered - when the National Anthem, Honors, or Taps are played and when the American Flag passes? Currently, veterans place their hands over their hearts (still an option) as civilians do.

            929 Responses

(783) Should salute - - - 84%

(146) Should not salute   15%






I cannot speak for anyone other than myself, but, I always felt uncomfortable placing my hand over my heart, and would have preferred to simply stand at a very stiff attention.  I am sure that I would feel most comfortable rendering a hand salute, because that is what we did when we rendered honors.
 
~Gunner

| Link | Posted by ~G @ 8:44 PM  | 2 comments

Washington, D.C. – In a press conference today on Capitol Hill, Third District Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) joined Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX) to introduce H.R. 4949, the Military Retirees’ Health Care Protection Act, a bill to block the Administration's budget proposal to double and triple health care premiums for about three million enlisted and officer retirees under TRICARE, the military’s health insurance system.  

"This legislation is about offering protection for the men and women who are willing to protect our nation from its enemies, and keeping promises to those who have promised to put themselves in harm’s way when called upon," Congressman Jones said.  "The families of our armed forces deserve consistent health care benefits."

Congressman Edwards, with whom Jones coauthored the bill, said, "Our common bond is a deep and abiding respect for those who have committed their lives to military service.  Our common goal is to ensure that those who serve our nation in uniform are treated fairly."

H.R. 4949 establishes the principle that it is the responsibility of Congress, not the Pentagon, to establish when and by how much military health fees will be increased.  The bill would block the Pentagon from dramatically raising health care fees on military retirees by removing the Secretary of Defense’ current authority to make virtually unlimited increases in four specific areas:

• Enrollment fees for retired members and survivors in TRICARE Prime, the military-managed health plan

      The current Defense budget plan would raise these fees by 50% to 200%, depending on grade.

• Pharmacy copayments

The current Defense budget plan proposes raising retail drug copayments by 67% for all military beneficiaries.

• Enrollment fees for the new TRICARE Reserve Select program that was implemented last year to maintain health coverage continuity for Guard and Reserve families

Within just a few months of its implementation, the Secretary of Defense raised these fees by 8.5%, and proposes similar increases each year in the future.

• Retiree and survivor copayments for inpatient care

The Secretary of Defense has raised these copayments regularly for years.  They now amount to $535 per day or 25% of billed charges – far larger than any civilian plan charges for inpatient care.

Representatives from the following organizations were present to announce their support for the legislation:   Military Officers Association of America, Air Force Association, The American Legion, National Association of Uniformed Services, Reserve Officers Association, National Military Family Association, The Navy League, Air Force Sergeants Association, Fleet Reserve Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Naval Enlisted Reserve Association, and The Retired Enlisted Association.

For additional information please contact Kathleen Joyce in Congressman Walter B. Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415.