Monthly Archives: April 2021

The use of gun salutes for military occasions is traced to early warriors who demonstrated their peaceful intentions by placing their weapons in a position that rendered them ineffective. Apparently this custom was universal, with the specific act varying with time and place, depending on the weapons being used. A North African tribe, for example, trailed the points of their spears on the ground to indicate that they did not mean to be hostile. The tradition of rendering a salute by cannon originated in the 14th century as firearms and cannons came into use. Since these early devices contained only one projectile, discharging them once rendered them ineffective. Originally warships fired seven-gun salutes–the number seven probably selected because of its astrological and Biblical significance. Seven planets had been identified and the phases of the moon changed every seven days. The Bible states that God rested on the seventh day after Creation, that every seventh year was sabbatical and that the seven times seventh year ushered in the Jubilee year. Land batteries, having a greater supply of gunpowder, were able to fire three guns for every shot fired afloat, hence the salute by shore batteries was 21 guns. The multiple of three probably was chosen because of the mystical significance of the number three in many ancient civilizations. Early gunpowder, composed mainly of sodium nitrate, spoiled easily at sea, but could be kept cooler and drier in land magazines. When potassium nitrate improved the quality of gunpowder, ships at sea adopted the salute of 21 guns. The 21-gun salute became the highest honor a nation rendered. 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.

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Marshall Drive Transfer at Arlington National Cemetery during a Full Honors Funeral Service earlier this week, surrounded by blooming cherry blossom trees and magnolias. Full honors funerals begin at a designated place, called a transfer point. A team of soldiers transfers the casket to the caisson at the transfer point, before proceeding to the gravesite and the heroes final resting place. Following the transfer, a military band plays a reverent march, leading six horses as they pull a flag-draped casket through tree-lined lanes of Arlington National Cemetery.

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Marshall Drive Transfer at Arlington National Cemetery during a Full Honors Funeral Service earlier this week, surrounded by blooming cherry blossom trees and magnolias. Full honors funerals begin at a designated place, called a transfer point. A team of soldiers transfers the casket to the caisson at the transfer point, before proceeding to the gravesite and the heroes final resting place. Following the transfer, a military band plays a reverent march, leading six horses as they pull a flag-draped casket through tree-lined lanes of Arlington National Cemetery.

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Today is National Gold Star Spouse Day. Gold Star Spouses Day is a day dedicated to those whose spouses gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military or as a result of service-connected injuries or illness. They are a vital and honored part of our country’s military community and history. During World War I, families displayed small banners with a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the armed forces. If their service member died in service, the family replaced the blue star with a gold star. The gold star let the community know that their service member died or was killed while serving their country. Today, the nation recognizes gold star survivors to show their deep gratitude.

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Today is National Gold Star Spouse Day. Gold Star Spouses Day is a day dedicated to those whose spouses gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military or as a result of service-connected injuries or illness. They are a vital and honored part of our country’s military community and history. During World War I, families displayed small banners with a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the armed forces. If their service member died in service, the family replaced the blue star with a gold star. The gold star let the community know that their service member died or was killed while serving their country. Today, the nation recognizes gold star survivors to show their deep gratitude.

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