Whether in the snow, rain, cold or heat, the Caisson Platoon is out in Arlington National Cemetery for funerals every day, Mondays through Fridays. Using a caisson is steeped in tradition and history, going back to the day when field artillerymen used the caissons to transport 75mm cannon ammunition. The caissons, which were built in 1918, now carry the remains of those who served the nation with honor and distinction. A caisson team consists of seven horses and four riders. Three of the horses hitched to the caisson are unmounted, because the field artillerymen of the day used the off-side horses to carry additional gear, Ford said. Here, the white caisson team turns into the cemetery from the Old Post Chapel.

Continue ReadingWhether in the snow, rain, cold or heat, the Caisson Platoon is out in Arlington National Cemetery for funerals every day, Mondays through Fridays. Using a caisson is steeped in tradition and history, going back to the day when field artillerymen used the caissons to transport 75mm cannon ammunition. The caissons, which were built in 1918, now carry the remains of those who served the nation with honor and distinction. A caisson team consists of seven horses and four riders. Three of the horses hitched to the caisson are unmounted, because the field artillerymen of the day used the off-side horses to carry additional gear, Ford said. Here, the white caisson team turns into the cemetery from the Old Post Chapel.

Whether in the snow, rain, cold or heat, the Caisson Platoon is out in Arlington National Cemetery for funerals every day, Mondays through Fridays. Using a caisson is steeped in tradition and history, going back to the day when field artillerymen used the caissons to transport 75mm cannon ammunition. The caissons, which were built in 1918, now carry the remains of those who served the nation with honor and distinction. A caisson team consists of seven horses and four riders. Three of the horses hitched to the caisson are unmounted, because the field artillerymen of the day used the off-side horses to carry additional gear, Ford said. Here, the white caisson team turns into the cemetery from the Old Post Chapel.

Continue ReadingWhether in the snow, rain, cold or heat, the Caisson Platoon is out in Arlington National Cemetery for funerals every day, Mondays through Fridays. Using a caisson is steeped in tradition and history, going back to the day when field artillerymen used the caissons to transport 75mm cannon ammunition. The caissons, which were built in 1918, now carry the remains of those who served the nation with honor and distinction. A caisson team consists of seven horses and four riders. Three of the horses hitched to the caisson are unmounted, because the field artillerymen of the day used the off-side horses to carry additional gear, Ford said. Here, the white caisson team turns into the cemetery from the Old Post Chapel.

Attention to detail is an integral part of every service at Arlington National Cemetery. The soldiers that take part in missions here make it their utmost priority to honor our country’s veterans through their precision, practice, and perfection. Whether it is the folding of the flag, the marching, the commands, the firing of shots by the firing party, polishing of the tack, or the pressing of the uniform and shining of their shoes, they honor our veterans and fallen service members through every action.

Continue ReadingAttention to detail is an integral part of every service at Arlington National Cemetery. The soldiers that take part in missions here make it their utmost priority to honor our country’s veterans through their precision, practice, and perfection. Whether it is the folding of the flag, the marching, the commands, the firing of shots by the firing party, polishing of the tack, or the pressing of the uniform and shining of their shoes, they honor our veterans and fallen service members through every action.

Attention to detail is an integral part of every service at Arlington National Cemetery. The soldiers that take part in missions here make it their utmost priority to honor our country’s veterans through their precision, practice, and perfection. Whether it is the folding of the flag, the marching, the commands, the firing of shots by the firing party, polishing of the tack, or the pressing of the uniform and shining of their shoes, they honor our veterans and fallen service members through every action.

Continue ReadingAttention to detail is an integral part of every service at Arlington National Cemetery. The soldiers that take part in missions here make it their utmost priority to honor our country’s veterans through their precision, practice, and perfection. Whether it is the folding of the flag, the marching, the commands, the firing of shots by the firing party, polishing of the tack, or the pressing of the uniform and shining of their shoes, they honor our veterans and fallen service members through every action.

The Third Infantry Regiment United States Army, more commonly known as the Old Guard, is always responsible for the caisson. A caisson is a horse drawn wagon or cart. The two caissons used at the Cemetery are from the WWI time period circa 1918-1919. Originally the caisson was used to bring artillery and ammunition onto the battlefield. Once the artillery was off-loaded, the caisson was loaded with bodies of fallen service members. The wagon is pulled by six horses, but there are only three riders. The Old Guard service members only ride the horses on the left side because the horses on right side were originally used to take supplies onto the battlefield. Officers with a rank of colonel or above in the Army and the Marine Corps may also have a caparisoned (riderless) horse, if available. The riderless horse follows behind the caisson and is guided by an Old Guard service member. The horse wears an empty saddle with the boots in the stirrups backwards to signify the last ride of the officer, as captured here.

Continue ReadingThe Third Infantry Regiment United States Army, more commonly known as the Old Guard, is always responsible for the caisson. A caisson is a horse drawn wagon or cart. The two caissons used at the Cemetery are from the WWI time period circa 1918-1919. Originally the caisson was used to bring artillery and ammunition onto the battlefield. Once the artillery was off-loaded, the caisson was loaded with bodies of fallen service members. The wagon is pulled by six horses, but there are only three riders. The Old Guard service members only ride the horses on the left side because the horses on right side were originally used to take supplies onto the battlefield. Officers with a rank of colonel or above in the Army and the Marine Corps may also have a caparisoned (riderless) horse, if available. The riderless horse follows behind the caisson and is guided by an Old Guard service member. The horse wears an empty saddle with the boots in the stirrups backwards to signify the last ride of the officer, as captured here.

The Third Infantry Regiment United States Army, more commonly known as the Old Guard, is always responsible for the caisson. A caisson is a horse drawn wagon or cart. The two caissons used at the Cemetery are from the WWI time period circa 1918-1919. Originally the caisson was used to bring artillery and ammunition onto the battlefield. Once the artillery was off-loaded, the caisson was loaded with bodies of fallen service members. The wagon is pulled by six horses, but there are only three riders. The Old Guard service members only ride the horses on the left side because the horses on right side were originally used to take supplies onto the battlefield. Officers with a rank of colonel or above in the Army and the Marine Corps may also have a caparisoned (riderless) horse, if available. The riderless horse follows behind the caisson and is guided by an Old Guard service member. The horse wears an empty saddle with the boots in the stirrups backwards to signify the last ride of the officer, as captured here.

Continue ReadingThe Third Infantry Regiment United States Army, more commonly known as the Old Guard, is always responsible for the caisson. A caisson is a horse drawn wagon or cart. The two caissons used at the Cemetery are from the WWI time period circa 1918-1919. Originally the caisson was used to bring artillery and ammunition onto the battlefield. Once the artillery was off-loaded, the caisson was loaded with bodies of fallen service members. The wagon is pulled by six horses, but there are only three riders. The Old Guard service members only ride the horses on the left side because the horses on right side were originally used to take supplies onto the battlefield. Officers with a rank of colonel or above in the Army and the Marine Corps may also have a caparisoned (riderless) horse, if available. The riderless horse follows behind the caisson and is guided by an Old Guard service member. The horse wears an empty saddle with the boots in the stirrups backwards to signify the last ride of the officer, as captured here.