Operation Taps:

What does it mean to be part of OperationTaps?

Over the 4th of July weekend I participated with my former drum corps, the Empire Statesmen from Rochester. It was the 25th Anniversary of the corps and the whole weekend was like a big a High School Class Reunion.

The highlight of the weekend was getting to perform with the Empire Statesmen 25th Anniversary All Stars. We had close to 100 brass players, including members of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame, and many, many members who participated in World Championship seasons with this highly successful marching music organization.

One of my fellow "All Stars" asked about OperationTaps. What is it? Why did I start it, and how can someone participate?

Very good questions.

It is really nothing more than a project designed to inform the brass playing community of the need for Taps Bugler volunteers for US Military Honors Funerals, and to provide tips and examples of how to proactively make yourself available in your community.

I think of my father and his generation. They lived through the Great Depression and then volunteered to go fight Hitler. The WWII generation lived a life of such amazing honor and integrity that it’s almost embarrassing to think of the stuff we complain about.

Three things pushed me to pursue this project.

The thought of a member of that generation being put to rest with a recording of Taps while I sit around and wait to be asked was unthinkable.
The fact that the current drum and bugle corps activity is focused on creating these amazingly artistic and sophisticated show concepts while drifting away from the veteran community was something that I felt I could help to address.
And as a member of another volunteer organization, I wasn't being contacted very often. I found that a more proactive approach was necessary.

What does it mean to be a part of Operation Taps, and what am I asking people to do?

Simple. If you’re a brass instrument musician, proactively contact every local veterans organization and funeral professional in your area, and let them know that they can call you to perform Taps at Military Honors Funerals.

Also, sign on to Bugles Across America and put your information on that web site so that you might be called in future.

That’s it. Maybe you’ll never be called. Maybe you’ll be called so many times that you can’t fulfill every request. At least you’ll be connected to a larger network of like-minded individuals.

That’s all the web site is. Proactive is the key word here.

I welcome all input from participants, and I especially like hearing about your stories of service. In fact, take a look at the Stories of Service page.

Thanks.

Tom Allen
info@operationtaps.org

OperationTaps.org A Civilian Taps Volunteer Organization

OperationTaps.org
A Civilian Taps Volunteer Organization