In the serene silence of a military cemetery, traditions centuries old are carried out with precision and respect, honoring the fallen warriors who have served their country with valor and fidelity. These somber rituals, a blend of history and heartfelt homage, create a final farewell that is as moving as it is memorable.
Among these time-honored customs is the 21-gun salute, an echo from the 14th century when warships and shore forces discharged their weapons to signal peaceful intentions.
This ancient artillery tradition continues to reverberate through the air, its resounding booms marking the passage of heroes.
Also dating to the 18th century is the ceremonial use of a horse-drawn caisson, originally utilized for carrying a head of state or high-ranking military official, a tradition reminiscent of an era when power and protocol dominated the social order.
One of the most poignant sounds associated with military funerals is “Taps.” This 24-note bugle call, composed by Union Brig. Gen. Daniel Adams Butterfield in 1862 during the Civil War, was meant as a softer end-of-day signal but eventually became the soundtrack to a soldier’s eternal rest. It’s first use at a military funeral was a creative measure by Union Capt. John Tidball to avoid revealing his artillery’s position to the enemy.
The Air Force honors its own with the “Missing Man” formation, a solemn aerial salute dating back to the 20th century. Fighter jets fly in formation toward the burial site, and as they near, one breaks away, symbolically ascending to the heavens, leaving a void in the formation akin to the one left in the hearts of comrades and family.
Perhaps the most universal tribute in American military funerals is the presentation of the flag that covered the coffin. This flag, ceremoniously folded 13 times, signifies the 13 original states and is ultimately presented to the next of kin, a tangible symbol of gratitude from a nation in debt to its fallen defender.
While the Navy shares these traditions, it adds its own maritime flourishes. Reversing rank during funerals, a nod to ancient Roman customs, symbolizes the ultimate equality of service members in death. The firing of three volleys, derived from superstitions of driving away evil spirits and later ritualized in European dynastic wars, is carried out by a detail of seven riflemen.
The National Ensign, a symbol of service and sacrifice, is draped over the casket and carefully folded after “Taps” is sounded. The tri-cornered shape of the folded flag hearkens back to the headwear of American Revolution Patriots, and when completed, only the blue field with stars should be visible.
For those who choose, the Navy also offers a burial at sea, an ancient practice where the body, traditionally sewn into a sailcloth with weights, is committed to the depths. Today, such ceremonies are conducted aboard Navy vessels, with full military honors rendered before the casket or urn is lowered into the ocean.
To arrange for these military funeral honors, families may visit the Defense Manpower Data Center’s Military Funeral Honors website or contact the relevant military branch for specific protocols.
The continuity of these traditions serves not only as a bridge to the past but also as a solemn pledge to the future. They ensure that every service member’s sacrifice is acknowledged with the highest respect and that their legacies are enshrined in the acts of remembrance that are as enduring as the values they fought to uphold.
Relevant articles:
– US military funeral traditions honor the fallen on land, air and sea, Marine Corps Times
– These US Military Funeral Traditions Honor the Fallen on Land, Air and Sea, HistoryNet
– Honoring our Shipmates: The Heritage of the Military Funeral and Burial at Sea, dodlive.mil