Soldiers Conduct HIMARS Live Fire

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash.— With a thunderous boom and a puff of smoke, the tradition of firing the cannon remains one of the U.S. Army’s most time-honored traditions. The practice dates back centuries to when artillery played a central role in warfare and military signaling, allowing Soldiers to communicate over the din of fighting. Over time, firing the canon evolved into a formal gesture of honor, used to commemorate important events and individuals. Today, the number of rounds fired is carefully determined by military protocol. For instance, a 21-gun salute is reserved for the president, visiting heads of state and certain national occasions. (This is not to be confused with the three volley salute which is performed...

09.26.2025 | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US | Story by Sgt. Elizabeth DeGroot

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U.S. Army Forces Command
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The time-honored tradition of the cannon

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The tradition of firing the cannon dates back centuries to when artillery played a central role in warfare and military signaling, allowing Soldiers to communicate over the din of fighting. Over time, firing the canon evolved into a formal gesture of honor.

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