Memorial Day Part 3 of 3

An American flag flies in a light breeze over headstones at Fort Logan National Cemetery near sunset.(John Leyba, The Denver Post)

So for those of you that have returned to see part 3 of my Memorial Day blogs I welcome you and wish you all a Happy Memorial Day. I know that for as long as I remember Memorial Day has meant more than just the unofficial start to summer. Everyone enjoys the three day weekend and I can relate to that. I just encourage everyone to say a little prayer of thanks for those men and women that have given their blood, their years of service and for some their lives to defend the ideals of what that this country stands.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Irving Berlin, 1918; revised 1938

Spoken Introduction:
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above
From the mountains To the prairies,
To the ocean white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

Memorial Day Part 2 of 3

TAPS

performed by SGM Woody English,

U.S. Army Band,

playing on a B flat Bach Stradivarius Field Trumpet (bugle)

Just to make it clear... I'm blogging about the bugle call and not "The Atlantic Paranormal Society" off the tv show Ghost Hunters. ;o)

Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting and the history of its origin is interesting and somewhat clouded in controversy. In the British Army, a similar type call known as Last Post has been sounded over soldiers' graves since 1885, but the use of Taps is unique to the United States military, since the call is sounded at funerals, wreath-laying and memorial services.

An Excerpt From
Twenty-Four Notes That Tap Deep Emotions:
The story of America's most famous bugle call
by Jari Villanueva

Tomorrow Taps will be sounded at numerous Memorial Day ceremonies across the country and it too has its origins from the Civil War. Originally developed as an alternative to the Extinguish Lights (Lights Out) bugle call, General Daniel Butterfield with his bugler Oliver Norton came up with Taps in 1862. The bugle call spread from General Butterfield's command to other units in both the Union and Confederate armies.

So how did Taps come to be associated with funerals? The first known use of the bugle call was during the same campaign in 1862 where Gen. Butterfield developed the call. Captain John C. Tidball commanding an artillery battery ordered it played for the burial of one of his men. Because of his battery's advanced position he was worried that the traditional 3 volleys that was typically fired at the graveside funeral might renew the fighting.

For the full story I encourage everyone to click the link above (with pictures) or this link to a website associated with West Point.

There are no official words set to Taps but over the years many verses have been written to go with the notes. Here are a few of the most popular collected by Mr. Villanueva.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
May the soldier or sailor,
God keep.
On the land or the deep,
Safe in sleep

Love, good night, Must thou go,
When the day, And the night
Need thee so?
All is well. Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light; And afar
Goeth day, And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well; Day has gone,
Night is on

Thanks and praise, For our days,
'Neath the sun, Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go, This we know,
God is nigh.

Memorial Day Part 1 of 3

For me and Mom most Memorial Day's have meant a visit to Fort Logan National Cemetery on or sometime during this weekend we go to place flowers on my Dad's grave. Over the last 41 years I've many memories of trips there with Mom and with Grandma & Grandpa, Tom or Nancy when they've come in town for a visit. I guess my age is beginning to show now because the trees I always picture in my mind's eye are much smaller than what they actually are these days and I'm amazed at how much further the rows of white headstones stretch every year.

While reading online about the origins of Memorial Day I realized that Fort Logan was named after General John A. Logan, a Civil War era general, who is responsible for what has come to be called the Memorial Day Order:

I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and comrades will, in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, Comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers sailors and Marines, who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead? We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security, is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull and other hinds slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the Nation's gratitude—the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander in Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this Order effective.

By order of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief

N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General

Official:
WM. T. COLLINS,
A.A.G.


Originally this day was known as "Decoration Day" and as the order states it was first enacted to honor Union soldiers after the Civil War but was later expanded to include American casualties of any war or military action after World War I.

The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882. It did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. This change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30th date to the last Monday in May.