Colleagues:
Out of respect for our campus community and in light of shootings that have occurred around the nation, I wanted to inform everyone that the VFW Post 2780 Color Guard will be performing the Three-Volley Salute as part of the NMC Veterans Day Honor Ceremony. It will commence shortly after the flag is raised on Monday, November 13, between 9:30 and 9:45 a.m.
The Three-Volley Salute, accompanied by the playing of Taps, is performed in honor of veterans/soldiers who are no longer with us. This is a coveted ceremony for our veterans as they honor all those who came before them, served alongside them, and gave their lives in the line of duty. These are blank rounds (gun powder in a copper casing) with no actual bullet being fired. For more information on the origin of the Three-Volley Salute, please see the attached document, provided by Scott Herzberg, NMC Military & Veteran Services/Advisor.
On behalf of all NMC veterans, please accept my sincerest gratitude for your support and continual understanding. We hope you’ll join us on Monday as we observe Veterans Day!
President’s Office
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI
Phone: (231) 995-1010
Origin of the Three Volleys
The practice of firing three rifle volleys over the grave of a veteran, and at other honor military-related ceremonies, originated in the old custom of halting the fighting to remove the dead from the battlefield. Once each army had cleared their dead, it would fire three volleys to indicate that the dead had been cared for and that they were ready to fight again.
Three volleys fired has become a tradition to mean the dead have been cared for. It has evolved into a military salute for the deceased serving their country. Firing the three volleys is one of the highest honors to give a deceased military veteran.