Jean Barwell, age 10, of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, for her question:

WHAT IS A 21 GUN SALUTE?

A salute is a greeting, courtesy or recognition. A handshake is a greeting and so is the hand salute which officers and enlisted men exchange by bringing the fingertips of the right hand to the peak of the cap and bending the forearm to a 45 degree angle.

Cannons, drum flourishes and music are often used to salute visiting dignitaries. The number of rounds fired depends on the importance of the visitor. When a head of state visits a country, the armed forces usually give a 21 gun salute, four ruffles and flourishes on the drums and the visitor's national anthem.

A 21 gun salute is the highest military greeting that can be given. Salutes can be given by guns located on land or on warships at anchor.