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Photos: Why do presidents salute military personnel?

For the first 192 years of our republic, commanders in chief did not salute military personnel. No regulation specifies that the president should salute (or return the salute of) military personnel. The returning of presidential salutes did not become commonplace until President Ronald Reagan began the practice in 1981.
For the first 192 years of our republic, commanders in chief did not salute military personnel. No regulation specifies that the president should salute (or return the salute of) military personnel. The returning of presidential salutes did not become commonplace until President Ronald Reagan began the practice in 1981.
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U.S. President George H. Bush salutes as he walks past an honor guard aboard the aircraft carrier USS America. No regulation specifies that the president should salute (or return the salute of) military personnel.
U.S. President George H. Bush salutes as he walks past an honor guard aboard the aircraft carrier USS America. No regulation specifies that the president should salute (or return the salute of) military personnel.
Associated Press
President George H. W. Bush (center), with First Lady Barbara Bush at his side, salutes military personnel marching in a Memorial Day parade.
President George H. W. Bush (center), with First Lady Barbara Bush at his side, salutes military personnel marching in a Memorial Day parade.
Associated Press
President Bill Clinton salutes Air Force Guards at the steps to Air Force One for a trip to Kentucky and New York.
President Bill Clinton salutes Air Force Guards at the steps to Air Force One for a trip to Kentucky and New York.
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President Bill Clinton returns the salute of a military honor guard as he boards Air Force One at the Norfolk Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Virginia.
President Bill Clinton returns the salute of a military honor guard as he boards Air Force One at the Norfolk Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Virginia.
Associated Press
President Bill Clinton (right) salutes as he reviews the troops with Navy Admiral Richard Macke during ceremonies commemorating the end of World War II.
President Bill Clinton (right) salutes as he reviews the troops with Navy Admiral Richard Macke during ceremonies commemorating the end of World War II.
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President Bill Clinton salutes he comes off Marine One with his dog Buddy as at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland enroute to Edinburg, Texas.
President Bill Clinton salutes he comes off Marine One with his dog Buddy as at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland enroute to Edinburg, Texas.
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President Bill Clinton salutes a military officer as he departs from Moffett Field, Calif..
President Bill Clinton salutes a military officer as he departs from Moffett Field, Calif..
Associated Press
President Bush does his best to salute while holding his dog Barney as they get off of Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
President Bush does his best to salute while holding his dog Barney as they get off of Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
Associated Press
President Bush salutes Merchant Marines as he steps from Marine One helicopter to address the graduating class of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.,
President Bush salutes Merchant Marines as he steps from Marine One helicopter to address the graduating class of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.,
Associated Press
President Bush salutes Air Force personnel as he arrives at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
President Bush salutes Air Force personnel as he arrives at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
Associated Press
President Bush, carrying his dog Barney, salutes as he arrives at TSTC airfield in Waco, Texas.
President Bush, carrying his dog Barney, salutes as he arrives at TSTC airfield in Waco, Texas.
Associated Press
President Bush returns a salute before boarding Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn of the White House.
President Bush returns a salute before boarding Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn of the White House.
Associated Press
President Barack Obama returns a salute as he arrives to deliver his final commencement address to the 2016 class U.S. Air Force Academy.
President Barack Obama returns a salute as he arrives to deliver his final commencement address to the 2016 class U.S. Air Force Academy.
Associated Press
President Barack Obama salutes as he leaves after touring the USS Ross at Naval Station Rota in Cadiz, Spain.
President Barack Obama salutes as he leaves after touring the USS Ross at Naval Station Rota in Cadiz, Spain.
Associated Press
President Barack Obama salutes as he walks down the stairs from Air Force One upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base.
President Barack Obama salutes as he walks down the stairs from Air Force One upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base.
Associated Press
President Barack Obama salutes as he steps from Marine One to board Air Force One at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, in Reno, Nev.
President Barack Obama salutes as he steps from Marine One to board Air Force One at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, in Reno, Nev.
Associated Press
President Barack Obama salutes as he is about to walk up the steps of Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Md.
President Barack Obama salutes as he is about to walk up the steps of Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Md.
Associated Press
President Donald Trump returns a salute before boarding Air Force One from Andrews Air Force One, Md.
President Donald Trump returns a salute before boarding Air Force One from Andrews Air Force One, Md.
Associated Press
President Donald Trump returns a salute as he greets members of the military on the tarmac upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
President Donald Trump returns a salute as he greets members of the military on the tarmac upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
Associated Press
President Donald Trump salutes before getting into his vehicle after arriving on Air Force One at the Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia.
President Donald Trump salutes before getting into his vehicle after arriving on Air Force One at the Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia.
Associated Press
President Donald Trump returns a salute as he steps off Marine One helicopter before boarding Air Force One for his departure from Andrews Air Force One, Md..
President Donald Trump returns a salute as he steps off Marine One helicopter before boarding Air Force One for his departure from Andrews Air Force One, Md..
Associated Press
President Donald Trump salutes as walks to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
President Donald Trump salutes as walks to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
Associated Press