Cannon crew members honor former president during salute

Photo By Staff Sgt. Ashley Morris | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Patrick Hunt, Sgt. Kyle Weber, and Pvt. Arnez Anderson, canon crew members from Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI), stand at parade rest, at the conclusion of the 21-gun salute for the late former President George H.W. Bush, at the main post parade field, Fort Polk, Louisiana, Dec. 6, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ashley Morris)  

FORT POLK, LA, UNITED STATES

12.06.2018

Story by Sgt. Ashley Morris 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

Twenty-seven U.S. Army Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI), participated in a 21-gun and 50-gun salute using howitzers in honor of the late former President George H.W. Bush, at the main post parade field on Fort Polk, Louisiana, Dec. 6, 2018.
The group rendering the honors included an officer in charge, a noncommissioned officer in charge, a watchman, and six fire teams that each consisted of four cannon crewmembers.
“We don’t practice on a normal occasion for this kind of thing,” said Staff Sgt. Patrick Hunt, a cannon crew member team leader assigned to Alpha Battery. “Once this came down, we practiced all day yesterday and a little more this morning.”
During the 21-gun salute, once the command is given rounds are fired one at time, during one minute intervals. During a normal fire mission, seven man fire teams are expected to send live rounds swiftly, efficiently and accurately towards the enemy within 30 seconds.
“The gunner is in charge of putting in all of the information, and making sure the round lands where it’s supposed to land,” said Sgt. Kyle Weber, cannon crew member gunner assigned to Alpha Battery.
Former President Bush died November 30. On Dec. 5, 2018, the federal government observed a national day of mourning. Presidents of the United States of America receive a 21-gun salute and 50-gun salute on the day of their funeral and burial.
“This means a lot,” said Pvt. Arnez Anderson, a cannon crew member assigned to Alpha Battery. “It’s not like we get to do this every day. To be able to be a part of a detail like this and have a 21-gun salute to a president, is a part of history and something I will always remember.”

• Date Taken: 12.06.2018
• Date Posted: 12.13.2018 11:33
• Story ID: 303407
• Location: FORT POLK, LA, US