How many of you have ever been on a firing squad?

[kentauros]

Circular or otherwise?

[Aristus]

1. I have.

I used to be part of a military funeral detail that travelled to areas around Kentucky (I was posted to Fort Knox at the time), Indiana, and Ohio to provide military honors for recently deceased veterans. We brought our M-16's with us (usually secured overnight at the local law enforcement precinct), and seven of us would fire a three-round volley in honor of the dead. The rest of the detail included an officer-in-charge, an NCO-in-charge, the firing detail, and the pallbearers.

It was an honor to be on the detail. But it was also a lot of fun. We got a break from boring, repetitive garrison life. We were paid a per diem for food and lodging, and we were often invited after the funeral to the home of the veteran's family, where they thanked us and offered us food.

[MosheFeingold]

2. Not on a firing squad, but I saw one

I was an allied observer of the execution of Pierre Laval, who was a French Nazi collaborator.

He pretty well deserved to be shot, if I recall.

It was in some town on the far south side of Paris, in a real (not military) prison. They had a post right in the courtyard in the common area and a little stand for allied and French dignitaries.

I think he was drugged, as they just dragged him onto the post and shot him. Or his feet were tied, I don't know. He looked limp and almost dead before he got there.

I don't think he said anything or asked for a cigarette or all the things you see in the movies. They did put a bag on his head and shot him.