Funeral flag line, salute or not to

[rangert23]

I am a new member here, I see their has been some discussion before about proper holding of the American Flag in Flag lines at funerals, as a member and director of one of many American Legion Rider groups, around the country, we do a lot of funerals and escorts on motor cycles for veterans and soldiers recently KIA, in the War on Terriorism, I personally have a problem with a right hand salute while properly holding the flag in flag lines, can someone direct me to a specific rule, relating to saluting while holding and displaying the American Flag?

[Peter Ansoff]

can someone direct me to a specific rule, relating to saluting while holding and displaying the American Flag?

Hello, welcome to the forum!

The "flag code" does not say anything specific about this issue. However, military regulations seem to say that the color bearer should not render a hand salute, but should stand "at the carry" with both hands supporting the flag. The US Army reference is FM 3-21.5 (para 15-14 and Figure 14-9). The text of the FM says:

Grasp the staff with the right hand (even with the mouth) and incline it slightly to the front with the left hand securing the ferrule in the socket. The left hand may be positioned immediately below the right hand to more firmly secure the Colors on windy days.

The typical color guard consists of the national color bearer and the organizational color bearer, flanked by two soldiers carrying rifles. During a salute, the organizational color is dipped and the riflemen present arms.

Again, these are the Army's regulations and are not strictly applicable to civilians. However, they should be a good guide for ceremonies like yours.
I hope that this is the kind of info you're looking for -- if not, we'll try again!

Best,

Peter Ansoff