Veterans, military in civilian clothes may salute during national anthem Published Oct. 31, 2008 By AFDW Public Affairs AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON -- Veterans and active-duty members of the military not in uniform may now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem based on a provision included in the Fiscal 2009 defense authorization act that became law earlier this month. A provision in the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 modified Title 4 of the U.S. Code to allow veterans and military service members not in uniform to render the military salute during hoisting, lowering, or passing of the flag, but it did not allow them to salute the flag during the playing or singing of the National Anthem. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Section 595 of S. 3001) amends Title 36 of the U.S. Code to allow veterans and service members not in uniform to salute the flag during the National Anthem, making the two sections of U.S. Code consistent.