Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Memorial Day isn’t a feast day in the church (although some might understand feast in a different way, with all the BBQs and cookouts).

But I’m really thankful that my congregation took note of the holiday anyway.

A few of our hymns were more patriotic in nature—O Beautiful for Spacious Skies and Eternal Father, Strong to Save (the Naval hymn). And our prayers of the people included special mention of veterans.

But the most powerful moment came at the conclusion of the Eucharist and before the dismissal. A lone trumpet played “Taps.”

Listen to the music here: 

This piece, often played at funerals and memorials, immediately evokes a deep sense of gratitude for men and women who have lost their lives in battle. For me, this isn’t the time for a theological debate over just war theory or the moral rightness of our troops in Iraq or Afghanistan. It is, plain and simple, about honoring those who have died.

Perhaps this year’s tribute struck a particular chord for our community. Two days earlier, a young widow brought her husband to his hometown, our little city, for burial. Killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, he was a month away from meeting his first child.

I don’t know if playing "Taps" at the end of a worship service is politically correct or liturgically appropriate. But it was a powerful moment, of being reminded of people who laid down their lives on my behalf. It was a time of thanking them for their service and of praying for their families and friends left behind.

Almighty God, we remember before you today your faithful
servants; and we pray that, having opened to them the gates
of larger life, you will receive them more and more into your
joyful service, that, with all who have faithfully served you in
the past, they may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ
our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer, page 253