Selectmen Lloyd Coombs and Dan Skillin, both military veterans not in uniform, rendered a military style salute during the Pledge of Allegiance at their meeting Monday evening.

In July 2008 a change in the U.S. Code permitted members of the Armed Forces and veterans, not in uniform, to give a military salute as the flag passes.

However, the change created some problems because "saluting the flag" is mentioned three times in the U.S. code. The legislative change last year only addressed one of those sections.

It failed to mention saluting the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance, Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations, which include conduct toward the flag during the National Anthem.

Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) sponsored the original legislation in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2009, and sponsored the amendment that has now been passed by Congress which clarifies the legislation and brings all three sections of the U.S. Code together to say the same thing, that all veterans are now permitted to render a hand salute when the U.S. flag is raised, lowered, passes on review, during the Pledge of Allegiance, and during the playing of the National Anthem.

Traditionally members of veterans’ organizations have saluted during the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and other events involving the flag only while wearing their organization’s uniform. Prior to this change veterans and active service personnel not in uniform would give the hand over the heart salute during these events.

According to "The Daily Flag" an online source for flag news and information, "This option which allows veterans to salute the flag with a military salute is voluntary. Many veterans are pleased by the change in legislation, and many veterans will continue to salute the flag by holding their hands over their heart The U.S. code now reflects that choice."

Woolwich’s two selectmen chose to give the military salute, and as veterans have earned the right to render a military style salute.