The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-07-15
SHALL WOMEN
SALUTE WHEN THE
FLAG GOES BY?
(sy BETTY BROWN.


Watch the crowd when the flag Is
carried by!
What happens?
g Everybody rushes forward, then
back as the parade advances. There
is a nervous twitter Of voices, then
breathless silence, the tramp of mea
sured steps, sudden crash Of music
The Star Spangled Banner.-and
then. the flag appears.
Every mans hat comes off and he
stands at attention, eyes front.
Every woman-just stands-and
stares, and smiles, or looks solemn,
or cranes her neck to see what's COM
and giggles, -
The flag goes by and the men salute
and the women do nothingi
Women want something to do when
the flag goes by.
They want to have SOME way to
show that sudden throb and swelling
Of the heart that touches them too as
the mems hats sweep off,
They want to express tho pride and
reverence they feel-but how?
The giggle and nose-powdering are
not Intentionally disrespeotful.
They are only the nervous reaction
to sudden. strong emotion which de-
mands expression In movement That
expression is supplied for men in lift
ing the hat. There is no accepted
gesture for women.
Feeling the same pride ana rever-
ence there Is nothing for women to do
except to stand, or move awkwardly,
yy,faayra Y,Yv yffos,iA
These are the days OF marching
men. many parades. martial music.
deepest patriotic feeling. The flag.
symbol of our ideals. our courage.
and our sacrifice, Is dearer and
prouder than ever before, and women,
too. demand gesture to signify their
reverence. a simple act to match and
supplement the lifted hat Of men.
How shall women salute?
There Is the ordinary military sa-
lutte Of open hand lifted to the fore
head. But that is impractical Tor
women. The present modes OF head
gear and hairdressing would render
It inconvenient, ungraceful and In
danger Of being made ridiculous by
an unexpected tangle OF hair. ven and
rings. The military salute will not
do.
"Chautauqua salute" the waving
handkerchief. But that, too. is In
convenient and undignifled. The
handkerchief is not always in easy
reach and must be searched for in
purse and pocket. Such q salute also
involves too much movement, a VIC
lent and conspicuous waving Of the
arm, unpleasant to the waver and to
immediate neighborsa Handkerchief
waving also expresses excitement
rather than reverence. It will not
do.
What Is needed Is q simple act. in
conspicuous and dignifled. an act ex-
pressing the deep. permanent emo
lions OF loyalty and respect.
Here Is one attitude which will ap-
peal to every woman as having those
qualifications simplicity, dignity,
respect.
When the flag is carried past or the
"Star Spangled Banner is played and
men uncover their heads the women
present should assume the attitude Of
attention, shoulders straight, eyes
front. heels together, the right hand
placed on the heart.
Let this become the universal wo-
mems salute to the nag-attentfon!
Hand on heart.
Every woman can and should learn
and use It at once, and on every oc-
casion when patriotism suggests its
appropriateness.
The woman's salute proves loyalty
and citizenship.
Don't hesitate. Women who serve
the flag should honor the flag
Women, attention., Salute