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Folded Flag Question
cbxjeff
Member Posts: 17,597 ✭✭✭✭
I was having a beer at the Legion a few nights ago and got to talking to a fellow about our late dad's flags. He mentioned that he put 3 M-1 rounds in the folds of his. I've never heard of this - has anyone else?
It's too late for me, save yourself.
Comments
Nope, I tucked Dad's dog tags inside his flag and Grandpa's WW1 medal inside his.--------Ray
Attending my late brothers military send off at the cemetery this last Spring, some of the spent rounds used in the 21 gun salute were tucked into the folded flag and given to my brothers daughter.
kind of hard for my dad, he was a 240 mm towed gunner
I have 3 of the blanks that were fired with my Grandfathers flag.
When the flag was presented to me at my father's funeral, it had three spent casings on top of the flag.
I thought it was a nice touch.
I thought the brass went to grandchildren traditionally? Flag to oldest child?
When dad passed Mom got the Flag. One of the honor guards picked up the brass and handed it to me. Might give them to my 2 sons in time.
I have learned something from this thread. Quite a few times before I was chosen to drive Westy, I was tasked to pick up Escort Officer and ashes at JFK or LaGuardia. Usually the Escort Officer was a Capt. and the deceased officer's ashes laid next to him on the rear seat. Seems like most times deceased was SF back then. American people just did not really know what was going on in Laos, Cambodia. By the Grace of God , I was too short and escaped Nam.
When arriving at Cemetery at West Point the 57th Military Police Honor Guard took over. As i recall the surviving widow was first in line to receive the flag and then the oldest son. A Military Funeral is a beautiful, solemn event and I personally would not want anything else.
My Cousin is a Special Forces CSM at Ft. Bragg and trains SF troops all over the world, at times dropping off the face of the earth. He will be in charge of my Honor Guard and detailed instructions in my Will/Trust. Now he will have another duty. Police up the brass. -------------------Ray
Here is one take on the subject:
https://www.liveabout.com/what-do-the-three-bullets-represent-in-military-funerals-3357017#:~:text=Three%20Bullet%20Casings%20Slipped%20Into%20Folded%20Flag&text=Then%2C%20the%20folded%20flag%20is,Each%20casing%20represents%20one%20volley.
In another search it was said that the firing of 3 volleys is reserved for those who retired, or died during their service, (ETA severed in combat) or a MOA recipient. Any honorable discharged member is entitled to honors Service members dealing with the handling of the flag and taps being played, (Last one I went to was just a recording not a live performance with bugle), but not the 3 volleys, thus they would not receive the spent shells.
ymmv...
ETA: sorry I missed "served in combat" when i originally posted...
Ruger4me, each member of my Honor Guard will receive a cased West Point Commemorative Silver Dollar. Interesting that three empty cases could mean "Duty, Honor, Country" ------------Ray
I thought I could handle things at Dad's graveside service. Didn't happen. Three volleys did me in. He was a WWII vet in the European part. Wanted to make it to 100, passed a week before his 95th birthday. He never shared much about his tour but when he did tears came to his eyes.
War is hell comes to mind.
As the oldest son, I have my dad's flag. It's on the wall in my office. It's a fine decoration and a great background when I have to make video calls at work. My brother got the spent brass which was presented separately from the flag.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
Best friend in high school , his dad died and was a vet . 21 gun salute at funeral. I got one of the brass cases and family got the others. Lost track of it over the years.
the small cemeteries around here usually only have 3 rifles, I have seen them give the brass from the last volley to the family with the flag.
Thanks for the replies guys. I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this. I thought it might just be a family thing from the guy I was talking to. B.T.W. 4205raymond, on of our forum member posted something about 20 years ago on how to receive a late family members medals or ribbons. I wrote and asked for my dad's from WW-2. I received a letter in a week or two saying that the records were stored at a facility in St. Louis that had burned in the '50's or '60's and the records were destroyed.
after my dad died we found a bronze star in his military stuff, he was in the battle of the bulge, no one knew how or why he earned it, when we tried to contact the army we were told the same thing, his records were destroyed in the fire........
I asked a member of my Amer Legion Honor Guard about this and he said they presented the brass separately in a bag. I have been to a few military funeral presentations and i never noticed this.
That is the way we do it also. We had custom printed drawstring bags. They are printed with ". . . on behalf of a grateful nation . . ."
We present the bag with all of the brass we can find (more difficult to accomplish in the snow) to the individual that received the Flag. (Just a little secret between you and me . . . if we can't find enough brass on the ground, we are very aware that each rifle will also have 5 empty cases still in the clip.) ;>)
I present the bag. I also present the Flag. Most likely, if you are not standing beside the individual you will not see the brass presented. In my experience, it is a very personal and private moment between me and the individual that received the Flag.
Once or twice a year we have to chase the "other attendees" trying to race us to pick up the brass. We always win the race. I do tell them they are welcome to find and brass we missed - after I have presented the bag. I have always wondered how much brass is run over by the lawnmowers.
I don't know what happened to my Dad's flag and any empties. He was in the Battle of the Bulge. It would have been given to my Mom, who died 20 years ago.
I will likely get the same. Must post a note to my wife about that.