military traditions

[Joe Gondek]

In the U.S. we fold our flag in the form of a triangle as a reminder of the Tricorn hats worn by soldiers during the Revolution.

A bugle plays taps to honor our armed forces members as they are laid to rest

Do other countries have similar traditions?

In Scotland is a special song piped for fallen Highlanders?

[Brandane]

The traditional pipe tune for the fallen is "flowers o the forest"

[JSFMACLJR]

In the U.S. we fold our flag in the form of a triangle as a reminder of the Tricorn hats worn by soldiers during the Revolution.

A bugle plays taps to honor our armed forces members as they are laid to rest

Do other countries have similar traditions?

In Scotland is a special song piped for fallen Highlanders?

Well, "Taps" is replaced by "The Last Post" in the UK and Commonwealth countries, and certainly is played.

There are quite a number of laments that can be played, too many to list. "Flowers of the Forest" and "The Mist Covered Mountains of Home" are certainly two of the most popular. The piper played these and "Oft in the Stilly Nicht" when my father was buried.

[macwilkin]

Well, "Taps" is called "The Last Post" in the UK and Commonwealth countries, and certainly is played.

There are quite a number of laments that can be played, too many to list. "Flowers of the Forest" and "The Mist Covered Mountains of Home" are certainly two of the most popular. The piper played these and "Oft in the Stilly Nicht" when my father was buried.

Individual companies of the Scottish Regiments also had their own pipe tune; Diana Henderson's The Scottish Regiments lists them for each of the regiments (before the 2006 amalgamation), as well as a number of other regimental customs and traditions.

In reference to the folding of the US flag, my Chief Ranger, who worked at a number of Indian War historic sites, once told me that custom really didn't begin until the 1930s; before then, the garrison flag was simply folded or even rolled into a ball. I will be happy to ask him for sources regarding his research.

That being said, the symbolism behind it, regardless of its date of adoption, is very meaningful.

Regards,

Todd

[Dardanelles]

In the U.S. we fold our flag in the form of a triangle as a reminder of the Tricorn hats worn by soldiers during the Revolution.

A bugle plays taps to honor our armed forces members as they are laid to rest

Thanks for that, i have often wondered about that.
Cheers, Danny.

[macwilkin]

Another good source for the customs and traditions of the British Army is Bryon Farwells' Mr. Kipling's Army: All the Queen's Men:

http://books.google.com/books?id=2Il...esult&resnum=3

A fascinating read!

T.

[Joe Gondek]

In reference to the folding of the US flag, my Chief Ranger, who worked at a number of Indian War historic sites, once told me that custom really didn't begin until the 1930s; before then, the garrison flag was simply folded or even rolled into a ball. I will be happy to ask him for sources regarding his research.

The 1930's and 40's was a time of great nationalism,our National Anthem was adopted in 1931 and the pledge of allegiance was adopted in 1941.
Both the song and pledge had been around for many years
but not made official until then.
It stands to reason the flag folding would start around then.

I know that Flowers of the Forest is mentioned in the song Willy McBride but I don't know the song to recognize it when played

I'll look for it on I tunes

[macwilkin]

The 1930's and 40's was a time of great nationalism,our National Anthem was adopted in 1931 and the pledge of allegiance was adopted in 1941.
Both the song and pledge had been around for many years
but not made official until then.
It stands to reason the flag folding would start around then.

I know that Flowers of the Forest is mentioned in the song Willy McBride but I don't know the song to recognize it when played

I'll look for it on I tunes

Joe,

That was exactly the reasons he mentioned for its adoption.

Regards,

Todd

[Joe Gondek]

I just found this

Public Law 94-344, known as the Federal Flag Code, is the law of the land regarding the handling and displaying of the American flag. It was first adopted by Congress in 1923 and revised numerous times.

[thescot]

You might also mention the "Missing Man" formation of planes which fly over a funeral. A very moving symbolic display.

Also, I wish to note that when a Marine, sailor, or soldier is laid to rest with military honors, the detail will fire three rounds (in unison) in salute. That is not a 21-gun salute as some think.

The 21-gun salute is reserved for a head of state, living or dead. I've been part of a burial detail, and we tended to have 6 riflemen firing the three rounds after serving as pall bearers and folding the flag. After the firing, the officer in charge would present it to the widow (mother, father, etc.) with the words, "On behalf of a greatful nation."