Firing three rounds at a military funeral

[snopes]

Comment: Have been asked to read this at a Memorial Day service. Is it
true?

The old military custom of firing 3 rounds meant that one side wanted to
stop fighting and take the dead from the battlefield. When the troops were
ready to start fighting, three rounds would again be fired. Today, firing
three rounds at the cemetery means that the battle of life is over for the
veteran we are burying. It also means that the battle of life must go on
for the living when they leave the gates of the cemetery.

[Mad Jay]

I thought it was done to keep the birds away. You wouldn't want them pooping on the coffin

Yes, I do have a very active imagination.

[overyonder]

Originally Posted by Mad Jay

I thought it was done to keep the birds away. You wouldn't want them pooping on the coffin

Yes, I do have a very active imagination.

Until it's covered in dirt 5 minutes later.

OY

[RichardM]

It would appear that the U.S. Army and the Idaho National Guard both believe this.


http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theor...eralhonors.htm

http://www.idahoarmyguard.org/(S(tvj...d/customs.aspx

[snopes]

Eh? How does citing an About.com article demonstrate that the U.S. Army believes this explanation?

[RichardM]

Oh, I saw U.S. Army in the url and thought it meant it was an official military site. Guess not. But the Idaho National Guard site is military. Of course, they could just be passing on an old UL.

[Mad Jay]

Searching on va.gov for gun salute gives this

[GaryM]

Originally Posted by RichardM

It would appear that the U.S. Army and the Idaho National Guard both believe this.


http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theor...eralhonors.htm

http://www.idahoarmyguard.org/(S(tvj...d/customs.aspx

According to that second link:

"The 21-gun salute traces its roots to the Anglo-Saxon empire, when seven guns constituted a recognized naval salute, as most naval vessels had seven guns."

Which is odd because I don't remember the Anglo-Saxons blasting William the Conqueror with cannon fire at the Battle of Hastings. You'd think it would be on the Bayeux Tapestry.

[ASL]

Originally Posted by RichardM

Oh, I saw U.S. Army in the url and thought it meant it was an official military site. Guess not. But the Idaho National Guard site is military. Of course, they could just be passing on an old UL.

And I am not sure you can properly call it "military" either. It's a .org site vice a .mil site, so it's likely unofficial.

[RichardM]

You are correct, it is not an official military site. The Idaho National Guard site though.