I had been playing trumpet for just over a year. Being in the eighth grade, it was unusual to get a call on our party-line home phone from a total stranger. The man on the phone asked me if I could play taps on Monday evening for President John Kennedy who had been assassinated the previous Friday.
My parents gave their permission and drove me to the American Legion hall the following Monday evening. I was dressed in a suit and tie and got to stay up late that evening. This began many years of being able to honor true American Heroes.
For years, I would get calls for Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day and the 4th of July to visit the graves of our soldiers that paid the ultimate price for our freedom. I did not even know any of these heroes, but the very fact that they sacrificed their lives for the preservation of my freedoms made me proud to pay them tribute.
College came and other trumpeters from school took over the service and continue to this day in the town where I grew up.
Over forty-five years later, I received a call asking me to attend a Memorial Day celebration. I will again be playing taps for our Soldiers that gave their lives for our country and for our personal freedoms. I am grateful to be able to thank our Soldier Heroes once again.
I Remember those days, and play taps beautifully you did.