Did they see the unrelated thing:
…on someone’s residential property as they walked by?
…at a business?
…at a park, playground, or something in that general category?
Was it a sign?
A newspaper headline?
reply to dirtball:
Did they see the unrelated thing:
…on someone’s residential property as they walked by? No*
…at a business? No*
…at a park, playground, or something in that general category? No*
Was it a sign? Yes
A newspaper headline? No
* The exact nature of the location is hard to tell.
was the ‘tramp’ wearing something that triggered the salute? Was he holding something that triggered the salute?
Was he covered with something that triggered it
If not any of these, was there something of his or possession next to him that caused the salute?
reply to Sigene:
was the ‘tramp’ wearing something that triggered the salute? I guess Was he holding something that triggered the salute? No
Was he covered with something that triggered it Yes
If not any of these, was there something of his or possession next to him that caused the salute? No
Was he covered with newspaper?
No
covered in a flag?
Or maybe covered with a blanket/cloth that resembled a flag?
Were his clothes interpreted as a uniform?
No
No
Was he covered in something unusual that we wouldn’t typically expect?
Just as an example, I’m thinking wet paint that caused a confusion, or dirt
or pigeons (making him a ‘full bird’ colonel!)
Did the sign have wording that included the word “salute” or a variation of it?
reply to Sigene:
Was he covered in something unusual that we wouldn’t typically expect? Yes, though not unusual for a comic strip tramp.
Just as an example, I’m thinking wet paint No that caused a confusion, or dirt Yes
or pigeons (making him a ‘full bird’ colonel!) No
No
Did the dirt make a recognizable pattern, encouraging the kids to salute?
so they saw a sign that made them want to salute the tramp because he was covered in dirt is that correct so far?
If so, did the sign say something that made them think dirt was heroic? Like “Real heroes get their hands dirty” or something like that?
Does the answer somehow play on the trope that kids don’t like to take baths?
No
reply to Nauplius:
so they saw a sign that made them want to salute the tramp because he was covered in dirt is that correct so far? Yes
If so, did the sign say something that made them think dirt was heroic? close Like “Real heroes get their hands dirty” or something like that? getting there, but not there yet.
No