Final answer:
During an FFA meeting, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited as a salute to the flag, which is a way to express patriotism. However, students are not legally required to partake in the salute, following court rulings that safeguard individual freedom under the First Amendment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The part of the salute to the flag used during an FFA meeting is the Pledge of Allegiance, which is a manifestation of patriotism. While the Pledge of Allegiance is commonly recited at the start of each day in schools across the United States, students are not legally compelled to participate due to First Amendment protections. The right to not participate in the salute or recitation is derived from multiple court rulings affirming individual freedom of speech and the constitutional limitations on governmental power over personal expression.