Glendale "Bugler" - 21 Gun Salute

A 21-Gun Salute We're a few days late for Armed Forces Day, but we didn't want to miss the opportunity to salute all the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces. We thank them for the work they do on land, at sea, and in the air -- in the United States and around the world. They are at the ready 24/7/365! A 21-gun salute to all of you!

If you were wondering why it's never a 16, 18, or 20-gun salute, here's the story: The whole idea of a 21-gun salute orignated as a British naval custom. The reason for any cannon shot being offered as a salute was that firing a round meant that the gun was disarmed for the considerable length of time it took to reload. This period of disarmament, even more than the bang, was the real sign of respect. A person of great stature was given a multi-shot salute but always an odd number, because sailors thought even numbers brought bad luck. Heads of state got the maximum of 21 guns, the number of cannon mounted on the side of a major ship of the line.

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Page last updated: 1 Jan 03