The hand-over-heart gesture is a sign of respect during the Pledge of Allegiance, but that's just one way to show reverence; there are several other ways. Here are some things you might not know about the pledge:
1. All people who are able should stand and face the flag.
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2. During the Pledge of Allegiance, U. S. citizens are asked to place their hand over their hearts.
3. If you are an active military personal in or out of uniform, or if you are a veteran, you are allowed to salute during the pledge of allegiance.
4. Military members in uniform show respect during the Pledge of Allegiance by standing silently rather than reciting it.
5. Non-citizens are not expected to recite the pledge. Instead, they can also stand and remain silent.
6. People wearing headwear for religious purposes should not take it off while reciting the pledge of allegiance.
7. Men wearing hats should take them off and hold them over their left shoulders with their right hand on their hearts. Women may leave their hats on.
8. While the pledge is part of
U.S. Code, the recitation of the pledge is voluntary, even for school children. Those who disagree with the pledge can stand or sit silently to show respect for their fellow citizens. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court chief Justice
Roderick Ireland recently noted, “Students are free, for any reason or for no reason at all, to recite it in its entirety, not recite it at all, or recite or decline to recite any part of it they choose, without fear of punishment.”
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