In 1973 - near the end of the Vietnam era - I took a summer job at Glencoe Golf Club north of Chicago, starting on Memorial Day Weekend. First job - set cups and tees, but starting with raising flag. Asst super takes me aside, points to an old guy having coffee in the clubhouse, and tells me he donates lots of money with one request - he is a WWII vet and wants to see the flag raised and then saluted.
No big deal, and I run it up the flagpole (and then down, I didn't have the holes aligned right) and then back up again, step back, come to full attention and snap off a crisp salute. Only then did I see the entire crew behind the bushes laughing. Funny how times change. It was hilarious to them then, but now, I bet another dozen people would probably feel compelled to salute also.
PS to Ben - I also asked my future father in law for his daughters hand from a clubhouse. It was closed and acting as my construction office, but other than that, the story seems exactly the same!