Honoring the Fallen Understanding the Traditions Behind How We Say Goodbye to Our Active Duty and Veteran Soldiers By Julie Senger While all funerals are somber, special, personal and moving experiences for the family and friends who are in mourning, if youve ever attended a military funeral, you have experienced an additional level of respect and gratitude through the different traditions, protocols and etiquettes that must be followed by our nations military as they assist families in honoring our nations veteran and active duty soldiers. Theres nothing quite like the vision of the impeccable, white-gloved hands of the soldiers as they make each meticulous, meaningful fold of the flag. Theres nothing quite like the emotional feeling one gets as one of our nations soldiers kneels in front of a fallen veterans spouse, mother, father or child to present them with that now folded flag that had been draped across their loved ones casket only moments before. Theres nothing quite like the sound of Taps being played in the distance as you sit with your head bowed, while chill bumps prickle across your skin. And theres nothing that will jar you back into the moment quite like the honor displayed through the 3-volley firing of rifles. Why is it so important to perform these tasks? The importance of etiquette during a military funeral/burial is that it is a way to show reverence and respect to the fallen and their family. There is a certain protocol at each military funeral/burial that ensures that the service will be presented the same way for each of the fallen, said Robert Wallace, chairman of the advisory council for the Georgia National Cemetery. But what do all of these things mean? What do they symbolize? *The 3-Volley Rifle Fire This tradition dates to the European dynastic wars (1688-1748). The volleys were shots fired during a battle to request a pause in the fighting to allow time for both sides to remove the bodies of fallen soldiers from the battlefield. The three bullets represent the three volleys fired, and also symbolize the words duty, honor and country. Three shell casings, one for each volley, are often slipped into the folded flag before it is presented to the family. Many people often mistake a 3-volley rifle fire for a 21-gun salute. The three volleys are fired from rifles, not guns. In the military, a gun is actually a large-caliber weapon, such as a cannon. *Taps After the 3-volley rifle fire, a bugler will play Taps as the flag is being folded. Taps originated during the Civil War. It was played to indicate to the soldiers that it was time to extinguish the lights and to go to sleep. It was later used as a figurative call in death, symbolizing the extinguishing of life, or eternal sleep. *Flag Folding When a veteran or active duty soldier dies, the casket is covered with the flag, and the stars are always placed over the left shoulder of the deceased. This is due to the patriotic tradition started during the Napoleonic wars. During the Napoleonic Wars, a flag was used to cover the dead as they were taken from the battlefield on a caisson. As soldiers remove the flag from the casket, they make exactly twelve folds in it. Each fold has a meaning:1. Life on earth2. Eternal life3. The veteran gave a portion of him/her self for the defense of the United States.4. Humanitys weaker nature and American reliance of God in peace and war5. Tribute to the United States6. The state of the American heart7. The United States armed forces8. Tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death that humanity might see the light of day9. Tribute to motherhood10. Tribute to fatherhood11. For the Jewish citizen, this fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.12. For the Christian citizen, this fold represents the eternity, and glorifies God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. *Flag Presentation When the flag is presented to the deceaseds next of kin, the blue field of stars is always facing up. The following is what is said to the next of kin during presentation, based upon to which branch of the military the deceased belonged: U.S. Air Force: On behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Air Force, and a grateful nation, we offer this flag for the faithful and dedicated service of (service members rank and name). U.S. Army: This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for your loved ones honorable and faithful service. U.S. Coast Guard: On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved ones service to country and the Coast Guard. U.S. Marine Corps: On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved ones service to country and Corps. U.S. Navy: On behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved ones service to this country and a grateful Navy. If the next of kin has expressed a religious preference or belief, the following may be added: God bless you and this family, and God bless the United States of America. Everything about a military funeral/burial is very deliberate. Robert Wallace assured, The courtesies at a military funeral/burial are so that all aspects of the service for the fallen and their family are completed with honor and respect. It will impact the family members by showing them that we appreciate their service and sacrifice to our great nation, and they will not be forgotten. *Sources: VeteransUnited.com: A Final Salute: Know the Symbolism Behind Military Funerals, Derek Hartley. TheBalance.com: What Do the Three Bullets Represent in Military Funerals? & Military Funeral Customs and Traditions Rod Powers. MilitarySalute.ProBoards.com: Military Salute Project.
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