My son had a simple trumpet lesson, and learned the power of music.

[FourScore]

His private trumpet teacher is known for being one of the best trumpet teachers in the area. She is a professor in the music department of a well-known college. Her husband is the music director. Both play the trumpet.

At my son's lesson this week, she brought out "Taps". I was sitting on her waiting room couch trying to decipher the NYT's crossword puzzle; but had to stop and listen as they began to play the piece together in her studio. It was so beautiful. When the lesson was over and they came out, she told us a story...

A few years ago, early on a Memorial Day morning, her husband came to her with his trumpet in hand and said, "I am going to the cemetery."

She looked at him for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay. Let me get my trumpet."

When they arrived at the cemetery, they didn't speak. They knew what they were there for, and each found a spot at different corners. They faced each other. Her husband began. The first line of "Taps" floated hauntingly across the graves. She replied in turn. And so they played.

They do this every Memorial Day now. She stands on one end, he on the other, and they play "Taps" to one another across the graves. Then, they silently leave and go to the next cemetery. Sometimes they are alone, but usually there are people visiting their fallen loved ones. Most of them are moved to tears and thank them for coming.

When my son left the lesson, he was deep in thought. "That sounds sad, Mama." he said. "And beautiful."

I nodded.

"Maybe someday I will do that."

"I would be very proud if you did."

He held my hand as we walked to the car.

Happy Memorial Day to All.

[teddy51]

1. Very beautiful indeed! I hope before to long we don't have wars that kill our people, and

there will not be a need for this sad event. Probably wishful thinking though.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. What a beautiful story

[TexasTowelie]

3. I played trumpet in school and college,

so I can say been there and done that but only once.

I remember it well and how touched I was while playing the song.

Thanks for sharing this Memorial Day.

[rocktivity]

4. You can play it on the open strings of a guitar, too

Starting with the third string (D). The only note you have to finger is the high D -- second string, third fret.


rocktivity

[FourScore]

11. I'll get my husband to play it for me.

Thanks!

[no_hypocrisy]

5. My friend is a professonal trumpeter. One of the hardest experiences for him

was playing "Taps" at his brother's gravesite at the funeral. (The military sent a representative who not only didn't play the trumpet, but brought a tape machine with "Taps" on it.)

[YellowRubberDuckie]

6. They sent someone with a tape?

So lazy!!Your friend did the honorable thing. Do these military administrators just not get it?

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Think of a military Milli Vanilli with Dress Blues in place, trumpet to the lips, posing

while another one presses the "Play" button of the machine. Can you insult a soldier any more than that?

[FourScore]

8. Stunningly tacky. n/t

[Mairead]

13. It's a measure of how much they REALLY value us

They care about us, alright -- just like cattle ranchers care about their cattle.

And the worst part is that they no longer care whether we know how little they value us.

[KatyaR]

9. I think I read somewhere where the military doesn't have enough

buglers and color guards for the demand. And you're right, a tape machine is disgraceful.

Of course, if we'd just stop having wars and killing our soldiers, maybe the demand would go down.

[rocktivity]

10. Even a recording of Taps is better than this

"Chronically short of musicians for military funerals, the Pentagon has approved the use of a push-button bugle that plays taps by itself as the operator holds it to his lips..."


rocktivity

[FourScore]

12. Exactly. n/t

[Manifestor_of_Light]

14. Echo Taps is beautiful. That is what you described.

My husband's dad was a Lt. Colonel in WWII. His grandfather was a three star general.

When his dad was buried in 1996, they had one bugler and possibly a tape machine.

[Worried senior]

15. We live in a very rural area

with a small cemetery in our town. The high school band does this every year on Memorial day after they honor the veterans that are buried there.

It is a very haunting experience.

[progressoid]

16. He's right. Taps is sad and beautiful.

Always brings a tear to my eye.