Patriotic Star

The stirring sound of Taps will be heard at cemeteries across America this weekend, its haunting melody rising above the tombstones. In towns large and small, veterans groups, Boy Scout troops, families and community groups are placing flags and flowers at the graves of America’s fallen soldiers in preparation for Memorial Day this coming Monday. Ceremonies will be held to honor the brave men and women who have died serving America on our country’s national day of mourning and at each Taps will be played.

Composed during the Civil War by Union General Daniel Butterfield in July 1862, Taps is the bugle call used by the U.S. military to signal lights out. Just as Reveille is played at sunrise to signal the start of the military day, Taps’ 24 mournful notes are bugled at sunset to mark the end of another day. Taps provided a fitting dirge as soldiers mourned their fallen comrades and brought comfort to those who lived, assuring them that they were safe and would arise to fight again.

Traditionally played at military funerals and at wreath-laying ceremonies at cemeteries and war memorials, Taps’ solemn notes are the final bugle call in the life of a soldier.

Patriotic Cedar Cross

It was the nation’s bloodiest, most divisive war that sparked the creation of America’s first national cemetery. In July 1862, at the height of the Civil War, Congress initiated the national cemetery system when it passed legislation authorizing President Abraham Lincoln to purchase land to create national cemeteries for “soldiers who shall have died in the service of the country.”

Arlington National Cemetery on the outskirts of the nation’s capitol in Arlington, Virginia was the first national cemetery. Today 141 national cemeteries hold the remains of our country’s fallen warriors, including 14 burial sites at national battlefields. Any U.S. soldier who has served on active duty for a least 24 months, any sodier who died during or as a result of combat, certain reservists, and any soldier honorably discharged may choose to be buried at a national cemetery. In some cases, the spouses of veterans may also be buried at national cemeteries. Veterans are also eligible for a free grave marker courtesy of Uncle Sam, whether they are buried in a private or national cemetery. Veterans or their families may choose from granite, marble or bronze monument plaques by making application to the Veterans Administration Monument Service.

Gravesite Masters can help you remember loved ones who have served our country. We can deliver Memorial Day flags, flowers and memorials to cemeteries across the country.

Memorial Flag Pillow

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier may be America’s most well-known grave site. Located near the center of Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknowns is a monolithic marble sarcophagus that holds the remains of unknown American soldiers who fought and died during World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. The marble tomb is carved with three Greek figures representing Peace, Victory and Valor and laurel wreaths representing the six major battles of World War I and inscribed with the words: “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.”

Upon internment, each unknown soldier was awarded a Medal of Honor. The medals and the flags that draped the soldiers’ coffins are displayed in the Memorial Amphitheater located directly behind the tomb. Specially trained members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry, known as The Old Guard, stand watch over the tomb 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year to honor the brave soldiers who died defending our country.

The marble slab from which the Tomb  of the Unknowns was carved was mined from the Yule Marble Quarry near the tiny town of Marble, Colorado in 1931. Marble for the Lincoln memorial also came from the same quarry which was owned by the Vermont Marble Company. Following both World War I and World War II, many U.S. communities erected local veterans memorials to unknown soldiers to honor their war dead.

Ground Flag Holder

A community service project turned into an unusual history lesson for a group of Philadelphia high school students recently. The students were raking and shoveling debris and trash from the grass in an East Camden neighborhood park when their shovels clinked against rock, but not just any rock. The students had uncovered a row of flat white rectangular stones set closely into the ground. Examination showed the weathered stones to be headstones from the 1800s. The students had discovered a historic African American graveyard, long lost to neglect, its memory fading under the tall grass.

Records from the Camden County Historical Society showed the cemetery to date back to the 1800s when it served as the last resting place for nearly 250 black residents from the surrounding community. Known then as Johnson Cemetery, it was also the burial site of 123 soldiers from the U.S. Colored Troops who fought and died during the Civil War.

Historical society photographs from the 1970s depict rows of light gray headstones, many of the old stones tilted or leaning. In the archival photos, small American flags decorate many of the soldiers’ graves. As recently as 40 years ago, the cemetery was still a place where families came to remember and honor their dead and those who served their country. Perhaps now that the cemetery has been rediscovered, it will be again.

Solar Memorial Flag

Our nation has set aside the last Monday in May, May 31 this year, to pay tribute to the brave men and women who have died gallantly in military service to the United States. On Memorial Day our nation will remember and grieve for the heroic men and women who have died protecting America, Americans and freedom. The Gravesite Masters can arrange to deliver memorial flowers, U.S. flag tributes or solar light memorials to the graves of your family’s fallen heroes anywhere in the U.S. Even if you live far from their final resting place, with the help of The Gravesite Masters you can arrange to remember and honor the men and women who have fought their final battle.

Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day dates back to the Civil War custom of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. The end of May was chosen to commemorate the reunification of the country following the Civil War and was expanded to encompass all fallen veterans after World War I.

Solar memorial flags, solar crosses, solar yellow ribbons and solar-powered angels are particularly popular Memorial Day tributes for deceased veterans. Powered by unobtrusive solar batteries, these beautiful gravesite memorials light up the night, bringing comfort to all who see them.

Patriotic Banner

Row after row of stark white crosses march across the open field at the American Cemetery at Colleville Saint Laurent in France. It is a moving and sobering sight. Each cross marks the grave of a U.S. soldier who died in the summer of 1944 during the D-Day invasion that foreshadowed the end of World War II. From a high cliff, the cemetery overlooks Omaha Beach where more than 2,000 Americans died in battle that day. Staring at the rows of crosses as they seem to stretch into infinity, it is overwhelming to remember that each represents someone’s son, someone’s brother, someone’s husband or father.

On Wednesday we pay homage to our nation’s veterans. Originally set aside in 1919 as a day to commemorate America’s World War I veterans, in 1954 Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day to include all veterans. Veterans Day is a time to remember and honor our nation’s veterans and thank those who now serve.

Gravesite Masters offers several fitting gravesite tributes for fallen veterans. A Patriotic Banner is the newest way to commemorate a loved one who served in the Armed Forces. Gravesite Masters also offers a durable flag holder so that the Stars and Stripes can fly proudly over your loved one’s grave. Or choose our Red, White and Blue Patriotic Saddle, a lovely headstone arrangement of beautiful artificial flowers in patriotic hues.

Take a moment to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country and thank those who continue to fight for freedom.