My father served in the Marine Corps, as did his brothers and my mother’s father. By the time I was six, I knew the words to the Marines’ Hymn. When I was growing up, Dad always took us to the Memorial Day parade in town. We had our regular spot at the stone wall where the parade made its turn from Ridgefield Road into the cemetery where the service of remembrance was held. At the conclusion of the service, everyone stood in silence while the mournful notes of “Taps” floated through the still New England air, first from the trumpet player at the cemetery and then echoed by another unseen, at a distance. Continue reading →