Saluting in open lodge
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Topic: Saluting in open lodge
Posted By: jdeal
Subject: Saluting in open lodge
Date Posted: September/17/2014 at 7:36pm
| In MD active and retired military are authorized to salute the flag during the presentation of the colors. Do not get me wrong I greatfully respect active and retired military and there families for there service to our country. One of my brothers a retired Air Force captain I belive he said. I asked him why does he not do as the others and his response was that seperates the brethren in the lodge and we meet on the level.... Thoughts on this? |
Replies:
Posted By: NobleShabba
Date Posted: September/18/2014 at 6:43am
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In our neck o' the woods, it is practiced or encouraged that everyone shows the sign of Fidelity while the colors are in motion. ------------- ---------------------- DISCLAIMER: These are my comments, and mine alone - they do not necessarily apply to any group to which I belong! |
Posted By: jdwalker519
Date Posted: September/18/2014 at 7:51am
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I disagree that it divides the Brethren. It's just another way of giving honor to the colors. It's the same as differences in ritual between jurisdictions. ------------- J.D. Walker Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia Royal Arch of the District of Columbia Order of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter of Virginia |
Posted By: rchadwic
Date Posted: September/18/2014 at 9:35am
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I suggest that jdeal was talking of the military salute as opposed to the civilian (hand over heart) salute. We have several vets/retired military that use the military salute in my Lodge. I am retired Air Force, but use the civilian salute as I am no longer on active duty (my choice of salute, and my choice of reason). ------------- Bob Chadwick Palm Bay #397 Palm Bay, Fla |
Posted By: jdwalker519
Date Posted: September/18/2014 at 9:40am
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I got that, Brother Bob..... I was disagreeing that those who choose to use the military salute are dividing the brethren...I say it is not. I also say that it is your choice to salute in Lodge or to put your hand over your heart. You're entitled to do either. ------------- J.D. Walker Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia Royal Arch of the District of Columbia Order of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter of Virginia |
Posted By: Pscyclepath
Date Posted: September/18/2014 at 9:50am
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Traditionally and according to the Customs of the Service, the hand salute is given _when_in_uniform,_, and when in civilian dress, place the hand over the heart. ------------- Tom Ezell Adoniram #288, F&AM Mablevale, AR |
Posted By: jdwalker519
Date Posted: September/18/2014 at 10:04am
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That custom has been changed by law allowing those who are veterans to render the salute. ------------- J.D. Walker Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia Royal Arch of the District of Columbia Order of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter of Virginia |
Posted By: Nero
Date Posted: September/18/2014 at 11:38am
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As a former Marine I will not salute while uncovered and unless on duty a Marine does not wear a cover indoors ( at least back when I served) . It is a tradition I still carry on to this day , when I walk in a building I remove my ballcap/hat . When saluting the flag , I place my hand over my heart . Actually , I have never seen a veteran from any branch of service hand salute the Flag in any lodge I have ever visited ( in several different states) . But I do not see how it would cause division between vet/non-vet brethren . |
Posted By: droche
Date Posted: September/18/2014 at 1:38pm
| A recent law allows veterans to render a hand salute when showing respect to the flag. I am a veteran but I choose to follow the old custom of hand over the heart. Both are accepted ways of showing respect to the flag and the country. It should be a non-issue as far as I'm concerned. |
Posted By: jdeal
Date Posted: September/18/2014 at 3:51pm
| Thanks for the responses I was curious about t. If I salutes the flag I would be looked at odd cause of my non military background? |
Posted By: Anthony660
Date Posted: September/18/2014 at 6:20pm
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As a veteran I have never saluted the flag in open lodge. I place my hand over my heart with my top hat on my shoulder. ------------- PM Alhambra #322 F&AM West Covina #446 F&AM Pasadena Valley AASR Al Malaikah Shrine AAONMS Cinema Grotto, MOVPER GC Aben Zoar, Order of Alhambra |
Posted By: KSigMason
Date Posted: September/19/2014 at 2:41am
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Many Veterans in my Lodge, including myself, do salute the flag. My Grand Lodge requires that the Master hold the hat over his heart during the procession of the flag and when giving the Pledge of the Allegiance. ------------- Bro. Barry E. Newell http://www.travelingtemplar.com" rel="nofollow - Traveling Templar - 04MAR2017 |
Posted By: Cookslc
Date Posted: September/19/2014 at 11:50pm
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A change in flag code about six years ago allowed veterans to render the military salute in civilian clothes. See http://www.dm.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123124214. I have seen the military salute rendered in any number of meetings around the US. Though a retired naval officer, I do not give the military salute in lodge, as I do not wish to draw attention to myself and am concerned that it draws distinctions between brethren as to their worldly status, contrary to meeting on the level as to our profane rank. In fact the person who immediately comes to mind is a Masonic bully whom I removed from office for just such behavior. |
Posted By: eagle-751
Date Posted: September/20/2014 at 8:31am
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I did not know the law changed! I am a U.S. Navy enlisted Veteran. I agree the Military salute is a great honer for all who served. I do not think it would be drawing anymore attention to Vets. Every inspection / special function from Blue Lodge to Commandry they have always had the Veterans, Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters... stand and be recognized, What is the difference? I am old school and it would be hard for me to give a hand salute when not covered and not in uniform. For the Veterans that do GOD Bless you, you have earned that right. For those of us that do not, it our right. We are all Brothers!  ( just my two cents worth ) ------------- Past Master ( 2014 - 2015 ) Riddle Lodge No. 315 24th Masonic District Grand Lodge of Ohio |
Posted By: eagle-751
Date Posted: September/20/2014 at 8:34am
I appreciate the link to the change in the Law. Thank you, to all of you Veterans for your service to our Great Nation GOD Bless you. ------------- Past Master ( 2014 - 2015 ) Riddle Lodge No. 315 24th Masonic District Grand Lodge of Ohio |
Cookslc wrote:Posted By: Cookslc
Date Posted: September/20/2014 at 9:22pm
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I also worry that distinctions of military rank would then be evident, again departing from meeting on the level as to our profane professions. I have never attended a Masonic Inspection. None of my GLs or (many) side orders orders introduce veterans as a matter of course,let alone EMS workers. I would resist such a practice in the bodies for which I have responsibility. |
Posted By: jdwalker519
Date Posted: September/22/2014 at 8:24am
I don't see it either, but I say that each brother should do as his own conscience dictates. That way, we all truly meet on the level, whether a brother who is a veteran salutes or not. ------------- J.D. Walker Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia Royal Arch of the District of Columbia Order of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter of Virginia |
Posted By: Tarditi
Date Posted: September/22/2014 at 1:54pm
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In our lodge, we have many vets and a few military retirees. We also have several National Sojourners. It is fairly mixed who renders the hand salute. I did not while in the East (removed headgear and placed hand over heart), but I do otherwise. ------------- Dustin Tarditi, PM James B Green #735 A.F. & A.M. |
Posted By: ldarnell
Date Posted: September/23/2014 at 4:22pm
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Interesting to know the law had changed. I was taught salutes were only proper while in uniform and covered. But it doesn't bother me either way. We have quite a few veterans in our lodge who use the hand salute. I have no problem with it either way - to me it is just a sign of respect. ------------- Larry Darnell Senior Steward, St. Charles Lodge #241 Missouri Lodge of Research #9998 I: 02 April 2013 P: 01 May 2013 R: 07 May 2013 |