Needed: Origin of Boots-Rifle-Helmet Memorial

[GreyFriar]

I am an Army public affairs officer stationed in Iraq. We have unfortunately done several memorial stories that we send back to hometown newspapers. In each one we mention the memorial display of the boots, upturned rifle and helmet. I heard a beautiful explanation of the history and significance of that display at a VFW Memorial Day ceremony last year, but cannot locate the words anywhere.

[GreyFriar]

I received this in my mail from this Army PAO. Can any Freepers help me find the origin of this display so I can send it to the Army PAO.

[Old Sarge]

Tex, help this FReeper out PING!

[Bikers4Bush]

Here's a start.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/imagearchive?OpenForm&Start=10&Count=1000&ExpandView

[elbucko]

Bump to follow.

[So Cal Rocket]

SECTION III - MEMORIAL CEREMONY

C-4. Memorial ceremonies are patriotic tributes to deceased soldiers. These ceremonies are command-oriented so attendance is often mandatory. The ceremony is a military function that is not normally conducted in a chapel. The content of the ceremony may vary depending on the desires of the commander.

C-5. In most cases, the unit prepares a program that may include a biographical summary of the deceased soldier with mention of awards and decorations. The following elements are commonly part of a memorial ceremony:

• Prelude (often suitable music).
• Posting of the Colors.
• National Anthem.
• Invocation.
• Memorial Tribute (e.g., remarks by unit commander or a friend of the deceased).
• Scripture Reading.
• Hymn or other special music.
• Meditation (quiet moment for attendees to reflect).
• Benediction.
• Last Roll Call. This is a final tribute paid by soldiers to their fallen comrade. It has its origin in the accountability roll call conducted by the unit First Sergeant following combat. Although sometimes painful to listen through, the Last Roll is called with the conviction held by soldiers that all unit members will be accounted for, and none will ever be forgotten.
• Firing of rifle volleys.
• Taps.

Figure C-1. Fallen Soldier Display

C-6. Most units prepare a visible reminder of the deceased soldier similar to that depicted in Figure C-1. The helmet and identification tags signify the fallen soldier. The inverted rifle with bayonet signals a time for prayer, a break in the action to pay tribute to our comrade. The combat boots represent the final march of the last battle. The beret (in the case of soldiers from airborne units) reminds us that the soldier has taken part in his final jump.

[GreyFriar]

Thanks. Where did you find this exerpt? I will need to direct our PAO to it.

[So Cal Rocket]

Department of the Army, Field Manual (FM) No. 7-21.13, entitled "The Soldiers Guide", Appendix C "Cermonies", Section III "Memorial Ceremony".

Link to the FM here: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/7-21-13/index.html

[TankerKC]

As long as we are at this, I'll piggyback with a question asked of me.

At a recent funeral for a soldier killed in Iraq, the Honor Guard was folding the flag and, just before the last fold and tucking it in, they inserted two metal discs (maybe coins). Has anyone ever seen this before?

[GreyFriar]

Thank you very much.

[GreyFriar]

I'm not familiar with this. I do not remember anything being inserted in the flag presented to the family when I was doing funeral detail at Ft. Knox, KY in 1974. The flag was folded and presented to the family. If I find anything about this I will post it here.

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[pfflier]

It is a custom to place shells from the three volley salute (misunderstood as a 21 gun salute) in the final fold as a symbol of farewell to the warrior. My dad got three shells folded into his flag.

[GreyFriar]

Thanks Pfflier.

Bump to TankerKC who asked about this.

[optimistically_conservative]

[GreyFriar]

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Thank you all for your assistance. The info is on its way to the Army public affairs officer in Iraq who requested it.