On the battlefield, a rifle placed by a comrade pointing downward into the ground served as a memorial to a soldier killed in action, often with the helmet placed on top to mark where the soldier fell and to help recover the body for burial. This practice dates back to the American Civil War and was meant to show honor and respect for the fallen at the battle site. Later, in the field or base camp, the fallen soldier's rifle, helmet, boots, and sometimes dog tags were arranged to form the Battlefield Cross. The helmet and dog tags represent the fallen, the inverted rifle with bayonet signals a time for prayer and a break in the action to pay tribute to a comrade, and the boots represent the final march into battle. A ceremony is held to honor service and sacrifice, allowing comrades time to pay their respects and begin to process the loss, and it ends with the playing of "Taps" on the bugle. Such a ceremony was held in South Vietnam for Sgt Tom Herkins in 1968 and Sgt Joe Heltsley in 1969.