Pentagram 2010 JAN 20
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There was a time period when John Michael‘s travels kept him among the hallow acres of Arlington National Cemetery between capturing the final honors for a fallen veteran or their spouse… or in this case, tracking the missions of one of the 3d Infantry’s (The Old Guard) the premier unit – The Presidential Salute Battery.
This elite unit carries on a tradition of providing gun salutes for the President, heads of state, and generals of the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and Admirals in the US Navy.
In my opinion, they have the second most hard-working mission within the 3d Infantry Regiment only topped by the esteemed Caisson Platoon. The Guns Platoon are the keepers of the last of the fully operational WW II M5 3″ antitank guns. Painted in shiny black with US ARMY emblazoned on the tubes, these guns are called into duty a few hundred times a year, yet they are rarely seen, but always heard.
The most visible missions are offered twice a year when they provide the cannon fire for the 1812 Overture – Once on the 4th of July at the Capitol with the Washington Symphony Orchestra, and the second with The United States Army Band (TUSAB) – ” Pershing’s Own when they perform the 1812 Overture.
Things That Go Boom! AND FLASH!
In the Pentagram 2010 JAN 20, the photograph below appeared. It was captured by John Michael at one of the locations where the Presidential Salute Battery meticulously places their M5s – 3″ antitank guns. Known as “Miles”, it is on the cul-de-sac near the Miles Mausoleum within Arlington National Cemetery, one of four locations where the guns are fired from.
In And Over for Naval Admirals – Marines Generals Too!
In rendering gun salute final honors, All Generals and Admirals receive the same number of gun salutes based on rank when their remains are over the graveside. However, United States Navy Admirals and the United States Marine Corps Generals receive an additional number of gun salutes on the way from the procession origin point to the gravesite. Something referred to as “In and Over” A member of the Presidential Salute Battery is embedded within the procession and as he passes a marker placed the day before that indicates a salute should be fired, he communicates to tie Officer in charge (OIC) to fire a salute.
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- Where in Arlington National Cemetery was the published photograph taken?
- How many gun salutes does a Lieutenant General in the United States Air Force receive?
- What is the name of the artillery that the Presidential Salute Battery uses to conduct the gun salutes?
- What public performances are the Presidential Salute Battery most visible and name the composer?
- How many gun salutes does the prime minister of Great Britain receive when visiting on an official visit to the United States?
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Images of America – Fort Myer is a pictorial chronicle of the first one hundred years of history containing over two hundred photographs, maps, and images. Beginning in the 1860s and carrying through the 1960s it provides a view of what was over time. An autographed copy of the book can be purchased at BUY THE BOOK.
