By Sgt. ASHLEY M. MORRIS
3rd BCT, 10th Mtn Div PAO NCO
FORT POLK, La. — Twenty-seven Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, participated in 21-gun and 50-gun salutes using howitzers in honor of the late former President George H.W. Bush, at the main post parade field on Fort Polk Dec. 6.
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 crewmember team leader assigned to Alpha Battery. “Once this came down, we practiced all day yesterday (Dec. 5) and a little more this morning (Dec. 6).”
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 crewmember gunner assigned to Alpha Battery.
Bush died Nov. 30. On Dec. 5, the federal government observed a national day of mourning. U.S presidents 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 crewmember 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.”