In the quiet of the late afternoon on March 10, as the sun begins its descent over the cliffs of Normandy, a lone bugle will sound Taps. The solemn, mournful notes will drift over the sacred ground where so many gave their lives in the fight for freedom. The next day, at the same hour, the same melody will rise over the rolling fields of the Brittany American Cemetery, where more heroes rest in honored silence.
This March, I have the humbling privilege of traveling to France to play Taps at these two historic sites—Normandy on March 10 and Brittany on March 11, both at 4:30 PM. It is an honor that carries the weight of memory, sacrifice, and the unbroken bond between the past and the present.
Why Normandy and Brittany?
Normandy is etched into history as the site of the D-Day landings, June 6, 1944—the day Allied forces stormed the beaches in an audacious and costly push to liberate Europe. The cemeteries and memorials here are sacred, marking the final resting place of those who never saw home again.
Brittany, though less known, holds its own place in the story of liberation. The Brittany American Cemetery is the final resting place for over 4,400 Americans, many of whom fell in the intense fighting as the Allies pushed inland after D-Day. This cemetery, with its white crosses and Stars of David set against the rolling French countryside, reminds us that freedom’s cost was not paid in a single day, but in battle after battle, in sacrifice after sacrifice.
The Meaning of Taps
Taps is more than a military bugle call. It is a farewell, a benediction, a final tribute to those who have given all. Originally composed in 1862 during the American Civil War, it has become the universal sound of military honor and remembrance.
To stand where these men fought and fell, and to sound Taps in their memory, is an act of gratitude—one small voice among the echoes of history, carrying forward the message that we have not forgotten.
A Call to Remember
This trip is not just about playing Taps. It is about telling a story—the story of those who rest beneath these crosses and stars, the story of sacrifice and courage, and the story of how memory shapes our understanding of war, duty, and honor.
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing reflections, historical insights, and personal thoughts as I prepare for this journey. I invite you to follow along, to reflect, and to join me in honoring the fallen.
A Mission Beyond Normandy and Brittany
As I undertake this journey, I am also working to expand the presence of live Taps performances across America, and especially in Alabama. Too often, veterans are laid to rest with a recorded version of Taps, when a live performance—one played with honor, reverence, and human presence—carries a far deeper impact.
My goal is to help recruit, train, and inspire more buglers to answer this call, ensuring that every veteran, from the battlefields of Normandy to the hometown cemeteries of Alabama, receives the tribute they deserve. If you are a musician, a veteran, or simply someone who wants to support this cause, I encourage you to join me in bringing live Taps to more memorials, ceremonies, and final farewells.
May the echoes of remembrance never fade.