The Significance of Military Honors, Folding the Flag and Three Shots

A military funeral with full honors is both impressive and touching to witness.

A military funeral with full honors is impressive and touching to witness. The precision and formality of the service is a tribute to the deceased active duty service member or veteran. Most of the ceremony is marked by silence, with the exception of the presentation of the flag to the next of kin, the 21-gun salute and the playing of "Taps."

Full Military Honors

All deceased military personnel have the right to have military honors at their funeral. Officers and soldiers who died in battle have the right to full honors. Standard military honors include free burial (if desired) in a national cemetery, pall bearers, firing party, bugler and a military chaplain (if requested). Full honors include a cassion, a band and escort troops. In some cases, a horse without a rider is present as a symbol of the fallen soldier.

Folding of the Flag

There are 12 folds in the U.S. Flag Folding Ceremony. In addition to being folded for military funerals, the flag is lowered and folded each evening on all U.S. bases; it is kept under guard through the night in tribute to all the military dead. When the flag is fully folded, the stars are right-side up, as a reminder of the American motto, "In God We Trust." The triangle shape of the folded flag is meant to remind us of the earliest soldiers who served under General Washington, and whose hats were triangular.

Flag Fold Symbols

Each of the 12 folds in the flag has a meaning. According to the American Legion: "The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks. ... The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God. ... The fifth fold is a tribute to our country. ... The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag. ... The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces. ... The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death ... and to honor our mother. ... The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood. ... The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country. ... The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon. ... The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity."

The 21-Gun Salute

The 21-gun salute, also known as three rifle volleys, has been official practice in the United States since August 18, 1875, and was performed unofficially for 30 years before that. According to Arlington National Cemetery, the number 21 stems from the Anglo-Saxon naval salute of seven guns firing three times. Up until 1841, U.S. military funeral gun salutes shot once for each state in the Union, but when there were 26 states, the number of shots was reduced to 21.

Playing of Taps

The bugle has been played in the U.S. military for decades as a way to end each day. In July 1862, General Butterfield called his bugler into his tent and asked him to write new music for the lights-out theme; within a year, "Taps" was used by the military each evening. Over time, due to its haunting and touching nature, it began to be used in military funerals, after the 21-gun salute, as a way to bid the departed soldier a final goodnight.

References

• The American Legion: Flag Advocacy.
• Arlington National Cemetery: Ceremonies---Origin of the 21-Gun Salute.
• Arlington National Cemetery: Ceremonies---Origin of Taps.
• Arlington National Cemetery: Funeral Information.