Quote Originally Posted by SWJED View Post
“The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one’s military service, ...
Enough said.

One of the things that bothers me each and every year abroad with the Marine Ball are the wannabes dressed in their former uniforms, unshaven and without an appropriate haircut They look more like Christmas trees with foreign decorations (provided as a customary courtesy upon rotation) dangling from both lapels (knowing good and well, they are not authorized).

Probably one of the funniest scenes was on Andrews in the early 90s when a US diplomat (*ic passport holder) was stopped by an MP during taps and subsequently fined . Couldn't help but laugh as I held my salute with the Diplo asking the MP "where is the base flag?"

Some traditions were never meant to be changed. They stand alone as they should.