Memorial Day - We Remember

Today we remember our family and friends who are no longer with us.

I, as always, was asked to play Taps on my trumpet for ceremonies around the Des Moines area. We normally do services at 2 cemeteries and the WWII Monument in downtown Des Moines, and today we also did a short ceremony at a retirement home outside Des Moines.

I really appreciate the opportunity to be able to do this. I think I have done services every Memorial Day and Veteran's Day for about 12 years now (since high school). It is a simple way for me to serve others, and more important to me, it has taught me so much about our nation's history, and the price many have paid for my personal freedom. I have an appreciation for our military (especially World War era) that I doubt I would without having gone to so many of these ceremonies and hearing the speeches and stories from these brave men and women.

To me, Memorial Day is so much more than a day off work and BBQ-ing with family and friends, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to say that year after year.

Taps, at one of the cemeteries

The "Freedom Flames" at the WWII Monument in downtown Des Moines. The Memorial Day ceremony is held here every year.

Taps, at the WWII Memorial (after the 21-gun salute).