Retired Command Sgt. Major for the Mississippi Army National Guard Chris Young spoke about Memorial Day traditions at the “Day of Remembrance” service at the Pike County Courthouse Monday morning.
The ceremony took place in front of the Pike County Veterans Memorial, where soldiers from World War I, World War II, Vietnam and the Korean War died.
Young explained the difference between each holiday for those who served. Memorial Day is the last Monday of May to commemorate those who died in service.
Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May for all Americans who served in the military.
Veterans Day is Nov. 11 for all those currently serving.
Young said Memorial Day is formally known as “Decoration Day,” and was started as an event for Union soldiers who died in the Civil War.
“It is a very special day, one that should not be taken lightly,” he said.
Young said after World War I, the holiday was extended to honor anyone who died in service. He said it became a national holiday in 1971.
“I want you to remember servicemen, former servicemen, veterans do not want to be thanked on this day,” he said.
“Save your thanks for those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Young said those who served and are living can be thanked on Armed Forces Day and Veterans Day. He talked about Memorial Day traditions.
“It is traditional to fly the flag of the United States at half-mast from dawn until noon,” he said.
Young said many visit cemeteries and memorials to honor those who have died in military service, but in more recent years, it has become less a day of remembrance.
“Many people choose to hold picnics, sporting events and family gatherings on this weekend,” he said. “It is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season for cultural events.”
Young said there were 651,000 battle deaths in all the wars and about 42 million have served in the military.
To help recognize all of those people, Young said the National Moment of Remembrance Act was passed in 2000.
“Let us celebrate our fallen heroes,” he said.
Young also told the story of the 24-note melancholy bugle call known as “Taps.” He said it is thought to be a revision of a French bugle signal, called “tattoo,” that notified soldiers to cease an evening’s drinking and return to their garrisons. He added it was sounded an hour before the final bugle call to end the day by extinguishing fires and lights. The last five measures of the tattoo resemble taps.
Young said the music was made the official Army bugle call after the war, but not given the name “Taps” until 1874. He said “Taps” is now played by the military at burial and memorial services, to accompany the lowering of the flag and to signal the “lights out” command at day’s end.
“Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call of ‘Taps,’” Young said.
Young said “Taps” was first played in 1862.
