21 gun salute question

[Freedom]

When my uncle died, my aunt arranged for the salute; but it was 3., not 21. I didn't know anyone other than heads of state could get the full 21.

[caseysmom]

When my uncle died, my aunt arranged for the salute; but it was 3., not 21. I didn't know anyone other than heads of state could get the full 21.

Maybe I have it wrong, that is what I thought it was called, they showed up and fired guns, I think there were 7 of them and they fired 3 times? They folded up the flag after and presented it to my mom. Same with my friends Dad. I have a friend who has 3 boys in the marines, her husband, an ex military guy volunteers with the men who shoot the guns at funerals, I can ask her if it is not referred to as that.

edit to add this link:

http://www.flagcases.net/Military-Bu...nformation.php

[Cinder & Smoke]

I think there were 7 of them and they fired 3 times?

They folded up the flag after and presented it to my mom.

Here are some interesting facts from >>>
http://militarysalute.proboards45.co...lay&thread=625

PRACTICE OF FIRING THREE RIFLE VOLLEYS OVER THE GRAVE

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.
The fact that the firing party consists of seven riflemen,
firing three volleys of seven rounds each, does not constitute a 21-gun salute.

Contrary to what many people think, including media personnel,
a 21-gun salute and a rifle squad salute are NOT the same thing.

A 21-gun salute is rendered by firing cannons.
It is only used in the specific circumstances outlined in the previous post.

In the case of a funeral with Military Honors for either active-duty personnel or veterans,
a rifle squad salute is fired by 7 members of the Honor Guard (firing three rounds each).
This is NOT a 21-gun salute.

The only person eligible for a 21-gun salute at a funeral with Military Honors
is the current President of the United States or a former President of the United States.
The practice recognizes the deceased's status as the current or former
Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Ceremonial 21-Gun Salute
Today, the national salute of 21 guns is fired in honor of a national flag,
the sovereign or chief of state of a foreign nation,
a member of a reigning royal family, and
the President, ex-President, and President-elect of the United States.
It is also fired at noon of the day of the funeral of a President,
ex-President, or President-elect, on Washington's Birthday, Presidents Day,
and the Fourth of July.
On Memorial Day, a salute of 21 guns is fired at noon
while the flag is flown at half mast.

The big difference between a Funeral 21-Gun Salute and a Ceremonial
21-Gun Salute
is the type of weapon used to fire the salute.

A Funeral salute is rendered by a Squad of 7 Riflemen firing shoulder-held rifles or carbines;
A Ceremonial Salute is rendered by a wheeled or permanently mounted BIG Gun or Cannon,
as found at a Fort or aboard a Navy ship, or on a battlefield artelliary emplacement.

When my uncle died, my aunt arranged for the salute; but it was 3., not 21.

I wasn't there, but usually a Funeral Salute is rendered by a Squad of 7 Riflemen,
each one firing simultaneously a total of 3 Volleys ... Thereby firing "21 Guns".
Many times, especially when the Squad has rendered many salutes, all 7 are able
to fire in exact syncronization - sounding like a single shot which is repeated 3 times.

[Freedom]

Could be, Phred. I was surprised how LOUD it was, so perhaps it was seven of them firing.

This has been really interesting, thanks for starting this thread, caseysmom!