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For those with their panties in a twist about Mr and Mrs Morrison with their hand over their heart whilst paying respect at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on ANZAC Day, some facts.
- It isn't an Americanism
- It is a UK military tradition called the "Veterans Salute".
(Cont)
- It isn't an Americanism
- It is a UK military tradition called the "Veterans Salute".
(Cont)
The Veterans Salute to their “Fallen Comrades” originated in London on Armistice Day in 1920, during the ceremony to unveil and dedicate the Cenotaph in Whitehall at the same time a funeral procession accompanying the remains of the “Unknown Soldier” halted at the Cenotaph (cont)
during the ceremony before proceeding to Westminster Abbey for internment. Those present included the senior Soldier, sailor and many Victoria Cross winners. The ceremony concluded with a march past. The Regimental Sergeant Major of the Guard Regiment conducting the (cont)
ceremony, faced with a gathering of highly decorated and high ranking military men (including many Victoria Cross winners), all wearing rows of medals, decreed that all would salute the Cenotaph as they marched past by placing their hand over their medals, (cont)
signifying that “No matter what honours we may have been awarded they are nothing compared with the honour due to those who paid the supreme sacrifice”.
