I was watching The Repair Shop the other day and an item was being restored that belonged to a gentleman who was a beloved doctor. When he died, the funeral procession went right past the hospital and the entire staff lined the sidewalk to pay their respects.
My question: is there some “salute” civilians can make in an instance like this?
Standing and putting your hand over your heart seems like a heartfelt way to salute a civilian. That’s also the way we salute our flag and what we do when we hear the national anthem, which is also non-military.
I thought about that but for some reason, believed it to be a military practice. You, of course, are correct; saluting the flag is not military and I don’t know why I thought that. Thanks for setting me straight.
ETA: The more I think about it, the more I like it!
Hand over the heart is a very old and honored tradition for a civilian to honor our flag when it passes as in a parade or procession, or when the flag is folded and presented to the next of kin at a funeral.
Active, retired, and former military, whether in uniform or civilian clothes, salute. Other uniformed personnel, such as police, fire, EMT, and scouts may salute.
~VOW
Right hand over heart, correct?
I’ve found that simply bowing your head does the job.
Superb! Many thanks.
Unless you have situs inversus.
That’s the American way. Over here, just standing up straight is more the thing, with bowed head for particularly solemn occasions.