Decoration Day

Memorial Day

Monday, May 29, 2017

Yesterday many churches across the land honored the fallen from our military and many special remembrances will occur today. People will place flags and flowers on the grave sites of their family and friends in memory of their service to our country. And well we should. It costs a lot for us to have our freedom. And we must never forget. 

Did you know that "Decoration Day" sprang up after the Civil War? It was later named "Memorial Day" and then later moved to the last Monday of May. It unofficially marks the first day of summer and Labor Day signifies the end. 

Yesterday at church we paused in remembrance of our fallen and played a beautiful rendition of "Taps." That made me wonder about the origin of that tune. And this is some of what I found. 

During the Civil War, the North and the South both had a way to signal "lights out" for the camps. It was typically three beats or "taps" on a drum. Later Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield from the Union Army used the current bugle call to signify the end of day and soon both sides incorporated the call. 

Did you know that "Taps" has lyrics? I could tell you the first verse but I had no idea it had five. 

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

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, 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 nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

Over time "Taps" began to be played at military funerals to signify the close of life. And I personally think it is beautiful. 

I heard this on the television this morning: "Everybody knows that Memorial Day is the time to buy furniture!"

Somehow I missed that along the way. 

But I hope that we don't get so lost in the sales and picnics that we forget our fallen military. 

Lord, thank you for the brave men and women who gave their lives that we might be free. And thank you, too, Lord for your sacrifice which frees us from eternal separation from You. We are so blessed.