Pacfanweb said:
Sounds like he said "good-looking Marines"
That's what it sounded like live and on replay.....heard it twice on Wednesday. There was no salute to return either.
President Reagan started the return salute and there was none to return; Eisenhower (the 5***** of WWII) did not believe in it. Suits did not salute Military uniforms, although he did sometimes return salute. Reagan flew a desk for the Army Air Core in WWII; my uncle said he (my uncle) flew a Royal (typewriter).
There's no regulation that stipulates presidents must salute the troops. In fact, for the first 192 years of our republic, it didn't happen. None of the first 38 commanders in chief did it.
Eisenhower was very sensitive to civil-military relations and understood the need for civilian control even in appearances... Eisenhower resisted any latent temptations to return the salute of military personnel who are required to salute the President. Subsequent Presidents, from John F. Kennedy to Jimmy Carter, kept their hands by their sides when military personnel saluted. This long-standing presidential practice ended with the election of Ronald Reagan.
I don't put my hand over my heart when i sing or listen to the National Anthem; it was not taught to me that way and I won't change because some want to do it and it is fine that they do! I stand and do so in an upright position. I put my hand over my heart when i recite the Pledge of Allegiance, as I was taught in elementary school to do so...in the 1960's. Back in the 60's my school had assemblies to teach students such.
I take down my flag if it starts to rain or if I hear thunder; as I was taught and if the flag gets wet, i stretch it over the back of chairs to let it dry before folding it; no red showing. If the thunder gets to fierce; the flag stays until the storm passes. Then the flag is taken down to dry.
As I learned by those who knew and respected; I do! (Thanks for your knowledge Mr. Kirby, 7th grade teacher, who entrusted me and one other to do just that for the school flag daily; also to put it up every morning before 8AM and take it down every afternoon around 3PM.) The thunder and lightning got scary a couple times when we pushed it, to get the flag down off that 40' metal pole.