As part of a nationwide Memorial Day initiative, a ceremony in Cabarrus County on Monday honored those who have served and lost their lives fighting for their country.
About two dozen people listened to Marine Corps veteran Corey Gaston play a trumpet outside the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society Museum in Mount Pleasant. A Marine, a Navy, and a U.S. Army flag were some of the flags on display as part of the Taps Across America ceremony, which pays tribute to those who have lost their lives serving. Gaston says the occasion provides a moment to reflect.
"It's easy to go on about our day and not think anything about those who have given the ultimate sacrifice that have died, whether in combat or became ill because they were exposed to something while they're in combat or while they served," Gaston said. "We oftentimes only remember those that we are intimately aware of. But there's a great deal of people who have given their lives for the sacrifice of our country."
Taps Across America started in 2020 during the pandemic to unite community members. Buglers and musicians played on their porches, lawns, at a time when parades and public ceremonies were largely forbidden.
Marcia Morris, an organizer with the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society Museum, started hosting the event during the pandemic. She says it was important for people to participate in acts of remembrance, even during times of isolation.
“There wasn't anything else right here in Mount Pleasant — no parades or special ceremonies," Morris said. "And we felt like, as a historical society, it was our place to remind people. And within the museum, we have lots of artifacts relating to military history, local military history, local people who lost their lives in service to their country. And so it's just, you know, growing on all of that.”
Monday's ceremony wrapped up with community members ringing a bell to pay tribute to those they know who have lost their lives while serving their country.
