Legislation Allows Veterans to Salute the Flag

August 2007, WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today praised the passage by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag. Current law (US Code Title 4, Chapter 1) states that veterans and servicemen not in uniform should place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether they can or should salute the flag.

"The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one's military service," Senator Inhofe said. "Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform.

"Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not.

"I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military and remain as role models to others citizens. Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others."

Vietnam Wall 25th Anniversary

Schedule of Events

Music and Poetry Tribute
Tuesday, November 6, 2007 ~ 12:00– 8:00 p.m.
East Knoll, Vietnam Veterans Memorial
For twenty-five years, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial has inspired countless Americans to write songs and poems meant to remember, to honor and to heal the veterans of the Vietnam War. Over the years, VVMF has received hundreds of original musical compositions and poems from Vietnam veterans and their families. The November 6 Music and Poetry Tribute offers all the opportunity to voice their support for our nation's Vietnam veterans and eloquently mark the 25th Anniversary of The Wall.

Reading of the Names Opening Ceremony
Wednesday, November 7, 2007 ~ 3:00 p.m.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
This ceremony marks the "official" sta rt of the Reading of the Names.

Reading of the Names
November 7-10, 2007
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Reading of Names will take place for 65 hours over a 4-day period from November 7-10 during which approximately 2,000 Volunteers will read the more than 58,000 names as they appear on The Wall, chronologically by casualty date. This will be the fourth time in The Wall's 25-year history that the names have been read aloud in DC.

Wednesday, November 7 ~ 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 8 ~ 5:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Friday, November 9 ~ 5:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 10 ~ 5:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. Anniversary parade.

Veterans Day Observance at The Wall
Sunday, November 11, 2007 ~ 1:00 p.m.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
This year's Veterans Day Observance will be especially important as we celebrate The Wall's twenty-five years of honoring, healing and educating. The ceremony will feature a Keynote Address by General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.).

All of these events are free and open to the public.

For those unable to visit The Wall in Washington, DC, The Wall That Heals – VVMF's traveling half scale replica and museum – will be in Scranton, Pennsylvania from November 8-12.

For more information contact Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation at 202-393-0090.

Accomodations

Veteran's Day Accommodation for Gold Star Mothers at the Normandy on Wyoming Ave (two block from headquarters), $109 plus tax ($124.81 per night), 10 Room are set aside (First come--First Served).

Ask for General Manager Mohamad Taha or Assistant Manager Said to get the Gold Star Rate, 1 202-483-1350 DON'T DELAY.

In addition Washington DC Accommodations has provided the following information with special discount rates at hotels close to the Vietnam Memorial. Rates range from $109 to $169 per night.

Call 800-554-2220 Monday – Friday, 9am – 5:30pm eastern time to book individual or group reservations. There is no fee to cancel or change your reservation and advance purchase is not required for discounted rates. These hotels are available to anyone.

Hotels include:

Days Inn Connecticut Avenue: $109 Comfort Inn: $129
State Plaza Hotel: $129 Red Roof Inn: $129
Washington Plaza Hotel: $139 L’Enfant Plaza Hotel: $149
Westin Washington Hotel: $169 Channel Inn: $135
Hotel Washington: $169 Beacon Hotel: $149 (includes metro pass, discount parking)
Reservation Deadline: Oct 9, 2007

Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act

This act was recently sent to President Bush for his signature. This law would prohibit protestors at funerals at national cemeteries and shrines. It would prohibit protests within 300 feet of a cemetery entrance and 150 feet of a road into a cemetery for 1 hour before and after the funeral. Violators would face a $100,000 fine and a year in prison.

This law covers only Federal cemeteries but several states have passed similar laws covering all cemeteries in those states.

Stolen Valor Act to Penalize Medal Frauds

July 22, 2005, WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John T. Salazar (CO-3), the only veteran from the Colorado delegation, today announced the introduction of the “Stolen Valor Act”, legislation to penalize distributors of phony medals and those who fraudulently claim to be decorated veterans. Salazar’s legislation would place criminal penalties on those who falsely claim to have risked their lives for our country, restoring honor to those who have truly earned it.

“Medals recognize the best American qualities – courage, honor, and sacrifice,” said Salazar. “These honors are reserved for those who willingly risked their lives for our country. The Medal of Honor is our nation’s highest military honor. And the Purple Heart is only awarded for genuine acts of courage. It is our job to protect the honor and integrity of our veterans, to make sure the memory of their heroism is not tarnished.”

B. G. Burkett’s award winning book “Stolen Valor” first exposed the problem of medals fraud. Current law only allows prosecution of imposters who wear an unearned Medal of Honor on their person. Salazar’s legislation will expand the law to include those who publicly claim to be decorated veterans, allowing the Federal Bureau of Investigation to finally prosecute several high profile cases (see attached profiles.)

“Shame on those who claim credit for acts of courage they did not commit, their lies are criminal” said Salazar. “Medal recipients are often too humble to parade their honors. By letting the phonies continue their masquerade, we diminish the honor of our true heroes. Federal law enforcement agents are willing to go after these frauds, Congress needs to provide the tools necessary to get the job done.”

Salazar’s legislation is the direct result of the efforts of Pam and Doug Sterner of Pueblo and Medal of Honor recipient Peter Lemon of Colorado Springs. The city of Pueblo in Salazar’s congressional district was designated “America’s Home of Heroes” by Congress, because it is home to more Medal of Honor recipients than elsewhere in the country.