Do you put your hand over your heart during the National Anthem?

[Beartracks]

204. Flag etiquette

I found this in a post by an Administrator at usa-flag-site.org (http://www.usa-flag-site.org/forum/threads/when-to-put-your-hand-over-your-heart.1768/):

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The etiquette is spelled out in Title 36 Subtitle 1, Para. 301 of the US Code:

During a rendition of the national anthem:
(1) when the flag is displayed:
(A) all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;
(B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and
(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.

There's a different section of the US code (Title 4 Chapter 1, Section 9) that gives the proper way to salute when the flag is raised, lowered, or passes in a parade. That title used to have basically the same language as the above. Title 4 was amended by Congress earlier this year to allow military personnel and veterans to give the military salute even if they were not in uniform. However, Congress did not make the corresponding change to Title 36. Technically, a military person or veteran wearing civilian clothes can give the military salute when the flag passes, but not when the national anthem is played!

- Peter Ansoff
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I have always considered the hand-over-heart as optional for the Anthem, but I guess I was wrong.

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