Letter to the Editor: Saluting or hand-on-heart is to the president’s discretion

Published 1:00 pm Tuesday, April 28, 2026

There was a statement made in the letter “Every accusation is an admission,” published April 22 that I did not agree with so I went online and this is what I got from the informational website.

During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present in uniform should render the military salute.

Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.

The president is a civilian, but he also is commander-in-chief of the armed forces. That is why members of the military always salute the president.

But for most of America’s history, the president did not return the salute. That changed with President Ronald Reagan, and it has been a tradition ever since that the commander-in-chief has the discretion to salute.

This choice reflects the unique position of the presidency, bridging both civilian & military.

Jonie Brooke

Enumclaw