When I was growing up, my home town had a Memorial Day Parade. As a Brownie and Girl Scout, I participated every year. When I was no longer affiliated, I always went to watch the parade.
My home town had an American Legion Post and a Veteran's of Foreign Wars group. When I was young, we had the Millers Falls Drum and Bugle Corp, which marched in the parade. In addition to Scouts, the fire department marched. As did other local organizations. The Boy Scouts put flags on the graves of veterans at the cemetery. The graves were marked with veteran's markers.
The parade started at the Ervingside park at the local war memorial, and proceeded to the cemetery. At the bridge, crossing from Ervingside to Montague, the parade stopped. There was usually a prayer, and a 21 gun salute. Then, taps was played. Not once, but twice. Once at the bridge, the second time in the distance. It was a haunting rendition and somehow made the ceremony more solemn.
I have been to military honors burials, and many Memorial Day ceremonies in Lubbock. The lack of the second distant rendition of taps leaves me wanting.
This year, as for the last 10 years, there is a Memorial Day Ceremony at the City of Lubbock Cemetery at 10 AM. I plan to be there. Join me if you will.
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