Taps across America, 3 p.m., Memorial Day, and a moment of silence

Sun, 05/24/2020 - 2:15pm

    The National Moment of Remembrance is an annual event that asks Americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, to pause for a duration of one minute to remember those who have died in military service to the United States. It is especially poignant this year, given that our remembrance ceremonies and parades will not take place because of the pandemic.

    But that does not mean citizens are unable to participate. The 3 p.m. commemoration of those who died in service to the country will include taps played by anyone who has a bugle or trumpet.

    Taps for Veterans, The Taps for Veterans program is inviting buglers and trumpeters to: “sound the call from your home, on your front lawn. We would advise against asking folks to gather in any type of group. Maybe you can tell your neighbors to open their windows.”

    Taps for Veterans believes that a veterans’ final honors are worthy of a live rendition of our National Song of Remembrance.

    “It would be fitting to remember those who died in service to our country as well as those who have died of the virus and also to honor those who are on the front lines battling the disease by sounding Taps on Memorial Day, May 25 at 3 p.m. (local),” the website says. “You can sound the call from your home, on your front lawn. We would advise against asking folks to gather in any type of group. Maybe you can tell your neighbors to open their windows.”

    The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying time off of work for the national holiday. The Moment was first proclaimed in May 2000 for Memorial Day that year, and was put in law by the United States Congress in December 2000.