after a recent funeral the military placed 3 empty bullet casing in the flag. they gave the service member a 3 volley salute. what do the three bullets signify?
2007-06-04 16:30:59 · 9 answers · asked by pamela w 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
While It is not always done (and wasn't in the case of my dad's burial at Arlington National, it is to simply represent the 3 rifle volleys (one shell for each volley) of the rifle team. And regarding other posts here, please note that just because a 7 man rifle team, fires 3 volleys, it is not called a "21 gun salute". While 3 X 7 does = 21, it is a three rifle volley salute, and only the President (or other head of state) gets a "21 gun salute" (I realize that wasn't part of your question, but it is a very common misconception/misnomer that people make, even 21 year Marine veterans). Either way, I am completely awestruck each time I witness a volley salute during a funeral, it is awesome and shocking both at the same time.
http://arlingtoncemetery.net/funerals.htm
2007-06-04 16:45:42 · answer #1 · answered by Lt_Cmdr_USN 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
What is the significance of placing 3 empty bullet casing in the flag at a military funeral?
after a recent funeral the military placed 3 empty bullet casing in the flag. they gave the service member a 3 volley salute. what do the three bullets signify?
2015-08-10 05:09:57 · answer #2 · answered by Serina 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honor Guard Bullets
2016-11-07 06:21:22 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With regards this tribute a comrade of mine who died suddenly from cancer while a serving soldier in the Irish Defense Forces was given a military funeral.
A little way from the graveside stood the firing party, upon be given the order to salute, the ****** and cleared the weapons, three times, without discharging any shots!
The reason was Joe knew he was dying and he had requested that they did not fire as the noise would scare his young daughters at the graveside.
In memory of Private Joe Kerrigan, 10 years gone Joe, but your spirit lingers on Croagh Patrick in the sunshine, not forgotten.
God Bless
2007-06-05 09:21:47 · answer #4 · answered by conranger1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You people have some great answers. Too bad they're all wrong & not even close. The three cartridges signify, and I quote: "On behalf of the United States Government and the Veterans Honor Guard, I present you with this flag under which our comrade served.
My condolences and God Bless You.
Inside this flag I place three empty cartridges.
One is for Duty
One is for Honor
One is for Country.
This is the significance of the three cartridges as given by every Honor Guard in the United States.
2007-06-06 12:58:38 · answer #5 · answered by preacher55 6 · 11⤊ 0⤋
They give the empty casings in remembrance of the 21 gun salute. Do to misfires and jams all 21 shots don't always go off. Therefore, they only give 3 to represent the three volleys.
2007-06-04 16:56:40 · answer #6 · answered by Gunny Bill 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This practice originated in the old custom of halting the fighting to remove the dead from the battlefield. Once each army had cleared its dead, it would fire three volleys to indicate that the dead had been cared for and that they were ready to go back to the fight.
Awarding the shell casings indicates the three volleys and is given as a remembrance.
"The dead are cared for"
2007-06-04 16:50:02 · answer #7 · answered by cbsmith300 3 · 7⤊ 0⤋
i am sorry to say i really dont know, but i found a pdf regarding alll military funeral procedures, you may find it there
the link is : http://www.det730.com/files/afpubs/hgguide.pdf
2007-06-04 16:34:33 · answer #8 · answered by Joseph G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
awesome answers (most) never knew this...cool.
2007-06-04 17:01:45 · answer #9 · answered by 4kkz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋