At my VFW Post we hand three polished fired M-1 cases in a small plastic container to the immediate family member of the deceased veteran and explain that they may want to slip it into a fold of the Flag presented to him/her but it is their’s to do.
The Significance of Shell Casings in a Burial Flag
by Brenda Scottsdale, Demand Media
Placing shell casings inside a U.S. burial flag is a tribute to the deceased veteran, honoring their memory and service. As with all aspects of a military funeral, the Honor Guard must follow the protocol of the ritual exactly.
Rifle Firing
During a military funeral, seven members of the U.S. Honor Guard fire M-1 rifles in three volleys consisting of 21 rounds. This is not a 21-gun salute, which has other symbolic meaning in the military. Instead, the firing of rifles in this way is an honor reserved for military funerals that hearkens back to an old custom when soldiers from both sides of the battle used to take breaks to collect their deceased. They used to signal the enemy that they were finished clearing the dead from the field by firing three volleys.
Placement in Flag
Following this rifle tribute, a bugler plays Taps. A uniformed military person folds the flag, which they had previously draped over the casket, into 13 folds to symbolize the original 13 colonies. While not mandatory, the uniformed military person frequently places three spent shell casings inside the flag while they are folding it. The shells must be placed in the flag while it is being folded, as it cannot be reopened once they complete the folding ceremony. These shell cases symbolize that the deceased received full military honors. The flag is then presented to the flag recipient on behalf of the president and the branch of the military in which the deceased served.
http://classroom.synonym.com/significance-shell-casings-burial-flag-5849.html
My son was reprimanded in elementary school for bringing casings from my father in law’s burial. He didn’t attend, think he was like 10 or so, but he brought a couple casings to school. The principal called mom and gave him a stern warning — same bs.
This was our 10 years ago. I want my country back.
My Dad was buried with military honors in April of this year. Afterwards my step mother was given the shell casings. She had each one engraved with my Dad’s name and the date of his burial and gave one to each of us kids, her kids, and each of our oldest children. It is something that will be treasured by us all.