Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day? That always seemed a bit strange for me... almost hard to say. How does one wish a person a happy Memorial Day? Have we forgotten what the holiday means? I believe we have. Isn't that sad? Allow me this opportunity for a brief refresher course. Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day was designated as a day of remembrance and honor for those who have died in service of our country. It is nearly impossible to trace the beginning of Memorial Day, but it was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and it was first observed on May 30th of that year. Flowers were placed on the graves of the Union and Confederate soldiers buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Thankfully, that tradition remains today. Since the 1950's, the 1200 soldiers of the Third US Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 graves at Arlington Cemetery. Sadly, many of the other traditional observances have diminished over the years. We now think of Memorial Day as a time to honor all dead, not just those who have died serving our country. Worse still, it is now synonymous with the advent of summer, camping and cook-outs.

In an attempt to reeducate Americans on the true meaning of Memorial Day, the National Moment of Remembrance was passed in December of 2000. This resolution asks that at 3:00 pm (local time) for all Americans to "voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listen to "Taps."

Now this seems like a wonderful idea to me. If you have ever attended a military funeral, you have experienced the spine tingling feeling when taps is played. That song, more than any other, evokes a solemn and meaningful emotion. We salute or place our hand over our heart when we hear the melody. The song has meaning.

"Day is done, gone the sun

From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky

All is well, safely rest

God is near.

Fading light dims the sight

And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright

From afar, drawing near

Falls the night.

Thanks and praise for our days

Neath the sun, neath the stars, neath the sky

As we go, this we know

God is near."

How sad it was then, today on Memorial Day, to open the newspaper and read an article reporting how electronic bugles are now being used at military funerals. What is an electronic bugle? It is a digital playing device placed inside of the bugle's bell. With the simple touch of a button, a recording of "Taps" is perfectly played.

It makes me shudder. It makes me terribly sad. What is wrong with us?