Veterans from American Legion Sotoyome Post 111 (and others) organized a Memorial Day commemoration at Oak Mound Cemetery on Monday.
After a prayer, the laying of wreaths and the Pledge of Allegiance, Legion member Gary Greenough, dressed in a Civil War style uniform, told the assembled crowd that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, to acknowledge Confederacy war widows who decorated the graves of Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War.
A contingent of the “Sons of Union Veterans” was on hand in Civil War garb and demonstrated their ability to load and fire their long muskets in just 21 seconds.
They fired three volleys and the Legion Honor Guard also fired three volleys, shells tumbling through the air and clanking on the ground.
Roan Affronti, a member of the Civil War group, played “Taps” on a trumpet.
The Legion also held similar ceremonies in Geyserville and Windsor.