May 26, 2015 2 min read

On Saturday, the Observer-Reporter‘s moving front-page article about the Memorial Day observance at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies mentioned “the ear-shattering blasts of a 21-gun salute – seven weapons simultaneously fired three times …”

This is a common misconception. Because the “three-volley salute,” which is traditionally fired at military burials and observances, often uses seven rifles fired in three volleys, people often make that error.

As an aside, while seven rifles are typically used, the number could be anywhere from three to seven – usually an odd number. Police services sometimes use sidearms or shotguns fired in volleys, instead of shoulder-fired rifles.

A “21-gun salute,” also known as the “presidential salute,” refers to the use of field artillery pieces or naval ship guns, fired in recognition of national heads of state, royal families or other dignitaries, including the president of the United States. And, of course, 21 guns are fired after the death of the president or a former president. There is a remaining hierarchy of gun numbers used, beginning with the sitting vice president and other lesser dignitaries at 19 shots, with the lowest number being five shots fired. Usually, the number of guns is less than the number of shots fired. We recall seeing the gun crews reloading as the next cannons are fired.

By the way, the highest number of shots fired by field artillery pieces is at noon on Independence Day, when the “Salute to the Nation” is fired – one shot for each state.

Joseph Bogo

Avella