Many of us will be breaking out our grills today as we celebrate the first official holiday of Summer. It will look different than in previous years as we comply with social distancing in the age of Covid19.

However the historical reason for the holiday is more than a three day weekend. Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance for everyone who has died serving in the American armed forces. The holiday, originally known as Decoration Day, started after the Civil War to honor the Union and Confederate dead.

Charleston, S.C., Waterloo, N.Y., Columbus, GA, and Columbus, MS, all claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. However there was an event in Charleston that precipitated Memorial Day. 257 Union soldiers died in prison during the Civil War and were buried in unmarked graves. The Black residents in the town organized a May Day ceremony in which they landscaped and decorated a burial ground to properly honor the soldiers.

In the years following the Civil War, Memorial Day or at that time, Decoration Day celebrations were scattered all over the Country. Those celebrations were on May 1st. It was not until after World War II that the holiday became a national one and celebrated the last Monday in May. It was officially named Memorial Day in 1967.

There is a 24 note bugle song that is played as part of the honors at the funerals of all military veterans. That song known as Taps and played on a bugle or a trumpet was composed by General Daniel Butterfield during the Civil War in 1862. Private Oliver Willcox Norton was the first bugler to play it.

Today as we honor all the Armed Forces Veterans who lost their lives fighting for our Country, take a moment to reflect on the real reason this holiday came to be.

At 3 pm today , buglers and trumpet players all over the Country will be playing Taps to honor the men and women who died in combat. If you happen to hear it in your area, please take a moment to reflect on the true reason we celebrate Memorial Day and honor our fallen.