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State Funeral Fact Sheets
State Funeral Fact Sheets EXECUTIVE AGENT
THE EVOLUTION OF STATE FUNERALS
CAISSON AND CAPARISONED HORSE
CEREMONIAL GUN SALUTES
ORIGINS OF 21-GUN SALUTE
FIRING OF THREE VOLLEYS
LYING IN STATE
LYING IN REPPOSE
STATE FUNERAL OF PRESIDENT RONAD WILSON REAGAN
State Funeral Executive Agent
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- While each former president is entitled to a state funeral, the desires of family members are always paramount.
Once the President announces his regret and joins the nation in paying homage during this solemn observance, the Secretary of Defense is designated as his representative for planning a State Funeral. The Secretary of Defense, in turn, has designated the Secretary of the Army, as the senior military service, to be his representative.
The Secretary of the Army has designated the commanding general of the Military District of Washington, as his representative. The commander of the MDW is responsible for making all ceremonial arrangements for the funeral in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere in the continental United States.
Each of the Armed Forces provides members and support to the Military District of Washington. Support includes an Armed Forces Honor Guard.
Historically, this special ceremonial unit has participated in the state funerals for former presidents Kennedy, Eisenhower, Truman, Johnson and Nixon. A state funeral was also held for the Vietnam Unknown in 1984.
THE EVOLUTION OF STATE FUNERALS
Funeral services of great magnificence evolved as customs (from what is known about early Christian mourning) in the 6th century. To this day, no religious ceremonies are conducted with more pomp than those intended to commemorate the departed. The funerals of soldiers, more than any other ceremony, have followed an old pattern as the living honor the brave dead.
The first general mourning proclaimed in America was on the death of Benjamin Franklin in 1791 and the next on the death of George Washington in 1799. The deep and widespread grief occasioned by the death of the first president assembled a great number of local people for the purpose of paying him a last tribute of respect. On Wednesday, 18 Dec. 1799, attended by military honors and the simplest but grandest ceremonies of religion, his body was deposited in the family vault at Mount Vernon, Virginia. Due to slow communications and travel of the time period, community services across the country commemorating his life continued several weeks after his passing as word of his death spread.
Another national observance early in the country's history commemorated the deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson on July 4, 1826. Although known as old rivals, both men were heroes and respected leaders in these early years.
The first national funeral marking the first time the nation mourned as one occurred April 19, 1865 in observance of Abraham Lincoln's death. Due to increased communications technology, word spread across the country by telegraph and train allowing the country to morn the loss of its president together.
Several military traditions employed today have been brought forward from the past:
(1) Today's customary three volleys fired over a grave probably originated as far back as the Roman Empire. The Roman funeral rite of casting dirt three times on the coffin constituted the "burial." It was customary among the Romans to call the dead three times by name, which ended the funeral ceremony, after which the friends and relatives of the deceased pronounced the word "vale" (farewell) three times as they departed from the tomb. In more recent history, three musket volleys were fired to announce that the burying of the dead was completed and the burial party was ready for battle again.
(2) The customs of using a caisson to carry a coffin most likely had its origins in the 1800s when horse-drawn caissons that pulled artillery pieces also doubled as a conveyance to clear fallen soldiers from the battlefield.
(3) In the mid to late 1800s a funeral procession of a mounted officer or enlisted man was accompanied by a riderless horse in mourning caparison followed by a hearse. It was also a custom to have the boots of the deceased thrown over the saddle with heels to the front signifying that his march was ended.
Caisson and Caparisoned Horse
The use of a caisson and caparisoned horse are traditional elements of the funeral procession for a military leader.
Six matched horses pull the black artillery caisson carrying the flag-draped casket. Astride three of the horses, soldiers guide the team, which seems to absorb the military bearing of the men and women who sit quietly in the saddles.
The soldiers and horses are members of the Caisson Platoon of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) at Fort Myer, Va.
The caissons that are used were built in 1918. Originally they were used to carry 75mm cannons and were equipped with ammunition chests, spare wheels and tools.
Today, these have been removed and replaced with a flat deck on which the casket rests.
The horses are matched in color, either black or gray, and are paired into three teams -- the lead team in front, the swing team following and nearest the caisson -- the wheel team. Although all six animals are saddled, only those on the left have mounted riders. This is a tradition that began in the early horse-drawn-artillery days when one horse of each team was mounted, while the other carried provisions and feed.
The riders are dressed in the Army Blue uniform with riding breeches, and boots with spurs. To the left front of the lead team, on a separate mount, rides the section chief who commands the caisson unit.
One of the older traditions in a full-honors funeral is the caparisoned (riderless) horse. The horse is led behind the caisson, wearing an empty saddle with the rider's boots reversed in the stirrups. This indicates the warrior will never ride again, and also betokens the commander's parting look on his troops, who march behind.
Tradition allows a caparisoned horse to follow the casket of any Army or Marine Corps commissioned officer in the rank of colonel or above. Presidents of our nation, as commanders-in-chief, are given the same honor.
While the platoon once stabled horses of several draft breeds – from Lippizans and Morgans to English Shires, both white and black – the unit has settled on a draft mix as being optimal for its mission.
The most famous caparisoned horse was Black Jack. He was foaled Jan. 19, 1947, and was the last of the Quartermaster-issue horses branded with the Army's "US" brand. He was named after Gen. of the Armies John J. "Black Jack" Pershing. He participated in the funerals of presidents John F. Kennedy, Herbert Hoover and Lyndon Johnson, Gen. of the Army Douglas MacArthur and thousands of other
funerals during his 24 years of service with The Old Guard. Upon his death, Feb. 6, 1976, he was buried on the parade field at Fort Myer.
Ceremonial Gun Salutes
On the day after receipt of notification of the death of the president, ex-president, or president-elect of the United States, unless this day falls upon a Sunday or holiday in which case the honor will rendered on the day after the Sunday or holiday, the commanding officers of all Army installations with the necessary personnel and material will require the following:
There will be one gun fired every half hour, beginning at reveille and ending at retreat.
All troops at Army installations and the cadets at the U.S. Military Academy to be formed at 10 a.m. and the official notification of death will be read.
On the day of the interment, a 21-gun salute will be fired commencing at noon at all military installations with the necessary personnel and the material. Guns will be fired at one-minute intervals. Service members are not required to salute.
In addition, on the day of the interment, a 50-gun salute will be fired at retreat at all military installations equipped with the necessary personnel and the materials. This salute will be fired at five-second intervals immediately following lowering of the flag. Personnel will not salute.
ORIGINS OF 21-GUN SALUTE
The tradition of saluting can be traced to the Middle Ages' practice of placing oneself in an unarmed position and, therefore, in the power of those being honored.
The cannon salute might have originated in the 17th century with the maritime practice of demanding that a defeated enemy expend its ammunition and render itself helpless until reloaded — a time-consuming operation in that era.
In the Anglo-Saxon Empire, seven guns was a recognized naval salute, seven being the standard number of weapons on a vessel. Because more gunpowder could be stored on dry land, forts could fire three rounds for every one fired from sea, hence the number 21. With the improvement of naval gunpowder, honors rendered at sea were increased to 21 as well.
Beginning in our colonial period, the United States fired one shot for each state in the Union. This was continued until 1841 when it was reduced to 21 from 26. Although it had been in use for more than 30 years, the 21-gun salute was not formally adopted until Aug. 18, 1875. This was at the suggestion of the British, who proposed a "Gun for Gun Return" to their own 21-gun salute.
Today, the 21-gun salute is an internationally recognized honor rendered to heads-of-state.
Firing of Three Volleys
Military funeral honors may include the firing of three rifle volleys over the grave during interment. The president of the United States, as commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces, is authorized this honor.
The firing of three volleys over the grave of a fallen warrior has its origin in the old custom of halting the fighting to remove the dead from the battlefield.
Once the dead were removed, three-musket volleys were fired as a signal that the battle could resume. A firing party of seven service members traditionally fires the volleys. The fact that a firing party might consist of seven service members firing three volleys does not constitute a 21-gun salute.
It has also been suggested that the custom may have deeper roots. In Roman customs, mourners would cast dirt on the coffin three times and this constituted a burial. They would also call the deceased by name three times and upon departure say farewell three times.
Lying in State
Lying in state is the formal honor accorded by placement of the former president's remains in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol with a ceremonial honor guard to attend him. Although lying in state continues through the night, it differs from lying in repose, which occurs at a church or other suitable location.
The former president's remains are received with ceremony at the U.S. Capitol after arrival at Andrews Air Force Base.
An Armed Forces Guard of Honor maintains a vigil over the remains throughout the period of time the remains lie in state. Public viewing is allowed continuously during the lying in state until one hour before the departure ceremony.
Lying in Repose
A former president's remains may lie in repose at a church or other suitable location. During repose, which is open to the public, a military Guard of Honor stands watch over the remains.
The term "lying in state" is used only when referring to repose in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, a government building
State Funeral of President Ronald Wilson Reagan
WHAT: Arrival and Interment service for former President Ronald Reagan
WHEN: Friday, June 11, 2004 at 6:15 p.m. PDT
WHERE: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, Calif.
ESCORT FOR NEXT OF KIN: Army Maj. Gen. Galen B. Jackman
Commanding General
U.S. Army Military District of Washington
Washington, D.C.
CEREMONIAL TROOPS INVOLVED:
Army 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment
Fort Myer, Va.
Marine Corps U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial and Guard
Company
Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
Navy U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard
Naval District Washington
Washington, D.C.
Air Force U.S. Air Force Honor Guard
Bolling Air Force Base
Washington, D.C.
Coast Guard U.S. Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard
Telecommunications Information Systems
Center
Alexandria, Va.
CORDON COMMANDER: Army Capt. Joseph Preteroti
3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment
Fort Myer, Va.
BODY BEARER OIC: Army Capt. Roland Dicks
3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment
Fort Myer, Va.
BAND: U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West
Travis Air Force Base, Calif.
Under the Direction of: Maj. Douglas Monroe
Arrival and Interment service for former President Ronald Reagan 2/2/2
MUSIC: “Ruffles and Flourishes”
“Hail to the Chief”
“God of Our Fathers”
“Amazing Grace”
SALUTE BATTERY: 11th Marine Artillery Regiment Salute Battery
Camp Pendleton, Calif.
PLATOON COMMANDER: 2nd Lt. Christopher Kuehne
CHORUS: U.S. Army Chorus
Fort Myer, Va.
Under the Direction of: Capt. Jim Keene
MUSIC: “Battle Hymn of the Republic”
FLYOVER: Four U.S. Navy F/A-18 “Super Hornets”
Strike Fighter Squadrons 122 & 125
Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
MILITARY CLERGY: Army Chaplain (Col.) Al Buckner
Army Chief of Chaplains Office
Washington, D.C.
BUGLER: Army Sgt. Maj. Woodrow English
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:
1. The U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West and the U.S. Army Chorus will perform prelude music before the motorcade arrives. When the motorcade arrives, honorary pallbearers and guests traveling in the motorcade will be escorted to their seats.
2. The remains will be removed from the hearse.
3. National colors and clergy will move into position ahead of the casket.
4. The remains will then be carried through into the library lobby as the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West plays “God of Our Fathers”.
5. The remains will then be carried from the library through the Cordon to the West Lawn for military honors. At the conclusion of military honors, the remains will be placed on the bier.
Arrival at Library and Funeral Service, Ronald Reagan Library 3/3/3
6. The order of worship will be conducted as follows:
(a) Invocation
(b) U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West and the U.S. Army Chorus will perform the anthem “Battle Hymn of the Republic”
(c) Reagan children will offer Words of Remembrance
(d) Scripture: Psalm 23
7. Musical honors will be played including “The National Anthem.”
8. The bagpiper will play “Amazing Grace,” leading the remains to the gravesite.
9. The procession will proceed in the following order:
a. Clergy
b. Remains
c. Honorary pallbearers
d. Escort and next of kin
e. Family
10. Committal Service will be conducted, stopping before the benediction.
11. Salute Guns will fire a 21-Gun salute.
12. Benediction
13. When the benediction concludes, the firing party will fire three volleys of musketry over the grave.
14. “Taps” will be played by an Army bugler.
15. U.S. Navy 4-ship jet flyover with “missing man” formation.
16. After the flyover the body bearers will fold the flag while the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West performs “America the Beautiful.”
17. Navy Capt. James A. Symonds, Commander of the USS Ronald Reagan, will present the flag to the next of kin.
18. The congregation accompanied by the band and chorus will sing “God Bless America.”
19. The family will depart the library.
20. A solo vigil will remain with the casket as guests file past.
21. The U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West will perform postlude music until the guests have departed.
