21-Gun Salute Planned for Kennedy Burial

(CBS/AP)  With a bugler playing taps, a rifle squad firing 21 volleys and pallbearers representing each branch of the military, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy will be laid to rest in a private funeral at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday.

Plans call for Kennedy to be buried in early evening near his slain brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. The ceremony will be closed to the public but covered by a press pool at the hillside cemetery for military heroes and other figures from American history.

Complete coverage of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's life and death

Some details of Saturday's burial have yet to be decided, said Col. Daniel Baggio, chief of staff for the U.S. Army Military District of Washington at Fort McNair.

A traditional ceremony for a member of Congress would include joint pallbearers to carry the flag-draped casket from the hearse to the grave site - that is, eight service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, Baggio said.

CBS News Special Report: Ted Kennedy - The Last Brother

Among its responsibilities, the military district has ceremonial duties in the capital, performed by the Army's 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment or "The Old Guard."

If the Kennedy family chooses to have a graveside eulogy or prayer, it is seven members of the regiment who would perform the rifle salute at the end - and its bugler who would play taps.

An officer from the regiment also would present the folded flag to the family.

Read more stories on Sen. Kennedy's life and death at CBSNews.com:

CBS News Special: Ted Kennedy - The Last Brother
Kennedy To Be Missed in Health Care Fight
Kennedy Did His Life's Work Until the End
Kennedy's Bad Boy Days
Who Is Heir to Kennedy's Liberal Legacy?

[LJB_]

Gun salutes are bestowed upon both military and political
officials.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or better yet, ask a Vet

[tahneemara]

I don't know all the details of a "true" 21-gun salute, but I do know for a fact that the senator will have an Honor Guard rifle squad of 8 men, that consists of the NCO in charge and 7 men that fire 3 volleys each. I know this because one of the men on the rifle detail is my son, he is stationed at FT. Meyer,Va. and is in the Honer Guard and performs his duties at funerals for military members, past and present, as well as some family members and for those members in government.It really does'nt matter if you agreed with the senator or not, he did serve this country in the public office that he held, and as such deserves to be honored for that, that's what makes this country what it is, if you do or don't like a public official, then vote.If every one and I do mean all who could legally vote would do so then maybe things would be different,and maybe not, but it does no good to berate one another during this time of bereavement for not only the senator's family but also for the leadership of our country.It's easy to find fault, and unless you are ready to fight for your ideals in the "fish bowl" called politics, it's not so easy to "gird your loins" so to speak.I do not agree with a lot of his decisions or politics and beliefs, but the man did have the fortitude to stand tall in the face of opposition.

[babooph]

I think I got something out of reading the comments-I did not know he was in the military.

[straightener--2008]

oh my God...i can't believe how juvenile and purile these comments are. just like when novak passed away. shame. FAIL.

[woeisme1]

So there you have it anti-Kennedy people from the right. Republicans such as Romney praising Democrat Kennedy.

One would think that would tell you something about the insidious remarks you have been posting about Kennedy, would'nt it?

Like maybe it's okay to acknowledge Kennedy's greatness even if you're a republican?

Like maybe you guys, are out of step with the many republicans praising Kennedy's historic achievements just as your entire party is out of touch with the times?

Like maybe you are a real minority along with your mis-guided views?

I mean there is so much there for you to ponder. So much that the life of Kennedy can teach you.

But alas, you won't ponder. You will go through life effected positively from Kennedy but you won't admit it. And therein is the magic, the power of Kennedy - you berate him yet his legacy lives on in you.

[dbowenfinfrock]

The term gun is synonymous with rifle as the military semantics have changed through history.
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.
If, in fact, there is a 21 gun (rifle) salute at Senator Kennedy's funeral it would be totally unacceptable to anyone knowledgeable. Even though the Senator has had a historic life in public service I am sure he would not want to detract from the honor reserved for only a presidential level official such as his brother President John F. Kennedy.

[src01]

Where do you find it proper to render a "21" gun salute to Senator Kennedy? As a US Senator he "does not" rate a 21 gun salute as per our nations history/traditions nor formal military regulations. There is a "BIG" difference between a 21 gun salute and a "rifle volley" which IS NOT a 21 gun salute. You should research prior to publishing... You should also properly correct yourself online and anywhere else you have published this. Other wise you are disgracing all those who have died for this country to include all present and past Presidents.

READ BELOW:

Today, a 21-gun salute is rendered on the arrival and departure of the President of the United States; it is fired in concordance with four ruffles and flourishes, which are immediately followed by Hail to the Chief -- the actual gun salute begins with the first ruffle and flourish, and 'run long' (i.e. the salute concludes after Hail to the Chief has ended). A 21-gun salute is also rendered to former U.S. Presidents, foreign Heads of State (or members of a reigning royal family), as well as to Presidents-elect. In such a ceremony, the national anthem of the visiting dignitary's country is played, following the salute.

19-gun salutes are reserved for deputy heads of state, chiefs of staff, cabinet members, and 5-star generals. For each flag rank junior to a five-star officer, two guns are subtracted. (e.g., for a four-star admiral, a 17-gun salute is prescribed; a three-star general would rate a 15-gun salute, a two-star, 13-guns and a one-star, 11 guns.)

At military funerals, one often sees three volleys of shots fired in honor of the deceased veteran. This is often mistaken by the laymen as a 21-gun salute, although it is entirely different (in the military, a "gun" is a large-calibered weapon. The three volleys are fired from "rifles," not "guns." Therefore, the three volleys isn't any kind of "gun salute," at all).

Anyone who is entitled to a military funeral (generally anyone who dies on active duty, honorably discharged veterans, and military retirees) are to the three rifle volleys, subject to availability of honor guard teams. As I said, this is not a 21-gun salute, nor any other type of "gun salute." They are simply three rifle volleys fired.

[6591Hou]

Kennedy served 16 months in the Army after leaving Harvard when he was caught cheating. Left the Army and went back to Harvard and finished his schooling.

[dbaecht]

He served 2 years between 51 and 53

[dbaecht]

He was in the Army in the early 50's