USA Flag Folding Ceremony

[Dick7Access]

I have just attended a Flag Folding Ceremony. 22 years in the military I have been at a lot of flag folding and funerals. It is always with a snappy salute. These people used a very slow salute. I say it is not proper. What say you?

 

[Fifty2One]

3 seconds salute for any personnel officiating or directly participating the ceremony
http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/atp1_05x02.pdf

 

[Dick7Access]

3 seconds salute for any personnel officiating or directly participating the ceremony
http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/atp1_05x02.pdf

Thanks for the link but I didn't see anything about proper salute.

I did find a link last night that
http://hdept.cgaux.org/pdf/FlagsCeremoniesGuideAJT5.pdf

that quotes the snappy salute, but I posed the question here to make sure there isn't an alternative that I don't know about, before I call attention to an improper ceremony.

 

[Knildon]

Dick7Access,
I guess it's a little late to add my 2 cents worth but for the record I was in the Army AF in the early 60s and as I remember it, a salute is always snappy, one count as we called it, except on a few occasions.
One of the occasions that I remember for a longer salute was if you were marching or riding in front of a troop review area. You would then hold your salute until you passed the reviewing area. Another time, of course, is during the playing of the National Anthem.
I don't remember ever being at a "flag folding ceremony" but I do remember being at funerals where the flag was folded and everyone saluted or stood at "Order Arms" until the folding was complete.
Not sure if this was what you were looking for but that's the way I remember it some 50+ years ago.
Hope your wife is doing well.
Don

 

[Dick7Access]

Dick7Access,
I guess it's a little late to add my 2 cents worth but for the record I was in the Army AF in the early 60s and as I remember it, a salute is always snappy, one count as we called it, except on a few occasions.
One of the occasions that I remember for a longer salute was if you were marching or riding in front of a troop review area. You would then hold your salute until you passed the reviewing area. Another time, of course, is during the playing of the National Anthem.
I don't remember ever being at a "flag folding ceremony" but I do remember being at funerals where the flag was folded and everyone saluted or stood at "Order Arms" until the folding was complete.
Not sure if this was what you were looking for but that's the way I remember it some 50+ years ago.
Hope your wife is doing well.
Don

Thanks for answering. No, of course holding the salute for a length of time is very common. What I a referring to is once the hand leaves the tip of the cover is to bring it down very slowly. All I have ever seen is to snap it down.

 

[kevlray]

I have seen that kind of slow statue before for certain ceremonies, but with no military background. I cannot say why.

 

[Knildon]

Thanks for answering. No, of course holding the salute for a length of time is very common. What I a referring to is once the hand leaves the tip of the cover is to bring it down very slowly. All I have ever seen is to snap it down.

Sorry, I didn't quite understand what you meant. Old age creeping up.
I have seen that kind of salute now that you mention it. I don't recall why it's done that way??
Hope someone has the answer.
Don

 

[Dick7Access]

Sorry, I didn't quite understand what you meant. Old age creeping up.
I have seen that kind of salute now that you mention it. I don't recall why it's done that way??
Hope someone has the answer.
Don

I am actually trying to prove myself wrong. I have spoken to a few people that says it is ok at funerals, but nobody can back it up with proof. I have found a web site that substantiates my position, but not the other.

 

[Knildon]

Dick7Access
I found this on a website but I don't know who it was written by.

Whether at a national cemetery or at a private service, each member of the honor guard has a specific role and has practiced for these occasions. They carry out every detail of the ceremony with cadence and precision. Salutes are offered in slow motion, honoring the sacrifice of a life given in service.

Here's the site:
http://www.funeralwise.com/customs/military/
Don