Twenty-Four Notes That Bring Tears, Memories

It is virtually impossible not to feel something when listening to a bugler play Taps.

As Memorial Day draws near, the nation will pause to remember not only the fallen members of the greatest generation but also members of the current generation, those troops who recently served, or are serving, our country in Iraq and elsewhere around the world.

For the families of nearly 160 service men and women who returned home draped in a U.S. flag, Memorial Day 2003 will take on a new and powerful meaning.

It is for those service personnel, for their families, that the country will pause to remember, to reflect upon, to silently thank.

There is a memorial in Burma to soldiers who gave their lives in World War II. The inscription reads: "When you go home, tell them of us, and say - for your tomorrow, we gave our today."

Members of the American armed forces have given their todays for our tomorrows for more than two and a quarter centuries. Memorial Day is a time to remember, to reflect, to say thank you.

On that day, Taps will no doubt be played at ceremonies across south county and across the country. The familiar 24 notes will help us to remember.

The haunting melody of Taps and even the words "Day is Done" have become a permanent fixture for our country on Memorial Day. While the purpose and meaning of Taps is clear to many people, the origin of the melody is somewhat clouded in controversy.

According to the Arlington National Cemetery Taps Project and research provided by West Point, most people accept the origin of the music to be from General Daniel Butterfield, commander of the Third Brigade, First Division, Third Army Corps, Army of the Potomac in July, 1862.

Butterfield, according to research, was not happy with the Extinguish Lights bugle call to signal the day’s end and wrote Taps in conjunction with his brigade bugler after the Seven Day’s battle in Virginia.

The new bugle call quickly spread to other Union Army units and eventually even to Confederate Army units. It became an official bugle call after the Civil War.

General Butterfield never went out of his way to claim credit for composing Taps. Many years after the Civil War, however, he did discuss his memory of the origins.

The research, written by Jari A. Villanueva, a bugler and bugle historian, suggests that Butterfield adapted an early bugle call into what is today known as Taps. As pointed out in the Villanueva’s paper, however, it is unlikely that Butterfield had the desire or opportunity to compose music considering nearly 26,000 men were killed in battles leading up to that point in July, 1862.

Another theory, commonly found on the internet is one where a Union Captain finds his son fatally wounded and wearing a Confederate uniform. The Captain requested a military funeral but, due to his son’s allegiance to the South, was only granted a single bugler to play a series of musical notes found on a piece of paper in the boy’s pocket. That music was to become Taps.

According to Villanueva, however, there is no evidence to suggest the existence of that Captain or his son.

Despite the differing stories, the first known use of Taps for a funeral came quickly during the summer of 1862. With the enemy nearby, the decision was made to play Taps rather than risk renewed fighting by firing the tradition three volleys. Taps had firmly found a place in U.S. history.

Regardless of the origin, the poignant bugle call will soon be heard as the country celebrates Memorial Day.

In Sun City Center, bugler Anthony Sendrowski will play the call, as he did last year, during a ceremony at the Community Hall.

Sendrowski, who served aboard the U.S.S. Mobile during World War II, is listed as the official bugler for the James Haley Veterans Hospital.

He has also undertaken a personal mission to ensure that members of our military receive the honor they deserve while they are laid to rest.

According to Sendrowski, funeral directors are not obligated to hire a bugler. Rather, hiring a bugler must be done by the spouse or family members of the deceased. Sendrowski suggests that those seeking the services of a bugler call the Descendant Department at the Veterans Administration hospital at 972-7576. That department will in turn contact Sendrowski to arrange for his services. It should be noted that there are charges associated with providing this service.

As members of the greatest generation age and pass on, national news reports have mentioned a shortage of buglers for an increasing number of funerals. As such, many funerals feature a recording of Taps, rather than using a bugler.

Anthony Sendrowski would prefer that not happen.

As a result, he has personally contacted area funeral homes to notify them that buglers are available and are the entitlement of our deceased military men and women.

For Sendrowski, it’s the least that he can do for those who offered their todays for our tomorrows.