"Taps Across America" honors the fallen on Memorial Day
NEW YORK -- All across the country, musicians paused at 3 p.m. Monday to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.
A more recent tradition includes plating "Taps" at that time, CBS2's Aundrea Cline-Thomas reported.
Staff Sgt. Jake McDonnell serves in the New Jersey Army National Guard's army band.
"'Taps' to me is letting the fellow service members, those who went before, letting them know that their watch is over. There's a new generation of us that are here to step up," McDonnell said.
Twenty-four solemn notes, each carrying more weight than the next.
"There's the families, the friends of those who just passed, and seeing their reactions, hearing their reactions, obviously elicits a little more emotion," McDonnell said.
3 p.m. is already designated as a National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day, honoring the lives of service members who died in the line of duty.
In 2020, CBS News "On the Road" correspondent Steve Hartman and retired Air Force bugler Jari Villanueva launched "Taps Across America."
"We were just looking for a way to commemorate the holiday right in the depths of the pandemic, when parades were canceled," Hartman said.
"It's so important because I think people think of Memorial Day and just think of hot dogs, and not the real meaning," said CBS2's Cindy Hsu.
"That's right. I wanted to bring back the reason for Memorial Day, the national moment of remembrance. I just thought if there was a literal call to action, people would take time to think about why we have the day off in the first place," said Hartman.
From a trombone to a guitar, from the porch to the backyard, all across the country musicians are joining together, reminding their communities about what the holiday is really about.
New Jersey resident Doug Neralich has taken part for the last two years, playing "Taps" on his trombone. He did it again this year.
Any musician can participate, and everyone is encouraged to step outside to listen and reflect.
"Memorial Day helps remind me of everyone that went before. America has had a long history of people stepping up to the call and answering the call to defend the nation," McDonnell said.
Answering the call of duty in the name of freedom, and making the ultimate sacrifice.
