I had never heard of this original flag salute (a few years ahead of my time).
Los Angeles Times
April 12, 1942: Actress Irene Rich leads 4,000 citizens in salute to the flag during program at the Hollywood Bowl. The 4,000 – including several
Hollywood celebrities – were sworn in as air-raid wardens, fire watchers, messengers and auxiliary policemen. The flag salute, as shown in this image,
was replaced by the hand-over-heart method. Credit: Los Angeles Times
On Dec. 22, 1942, Congress amended the flag code to replace the salute with the hand-over-heart method. The previous salute started with the
hand outstretched toward the flag, palm down, and ended with palm up, but it was too similar to salutes used by U.S. enemies during World War II.
Los Angeles Times
March 29, 1943: Vierling Kersey, superintendent of schools, left, and Roy J. Becker, Board of Education president, demonstrate old and new methods
of saluting Old Glory. The new hand-over-heart method goes in effect in schools on Army Day.
This photo accompanied a March 30, 1943, L.A. Times article, which explained:
Members of the Board of Education yesterday adopted a resolution ordering a change in the method of saluting the American Flag, whereby the right
hand will be placed over the heart throughout the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Last year Congress adopted this method of salute and urged that it be made uniform throughout the nation.
The old method of extending the hand toward the flag was criticized by several national patriotic groups as being too much like the Nazi and Fascist salutes.
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