Fading melody: Military struggles to keep tradition

[flashl]

A National Guard bugler travels around Florida to preserve one of the military's oldest traditions, taps

LAKE WORTH --He marched past the palm trees, the headstones, the limousine and the hearse. Under his arm he carried a silver horn, light in weight but robust with history.

He stopped yards away from the South Florida VA National Cemetery's memorial site on a bed of grass.

A family stepped out of the limo. A flag-draped coffin was carried from the hearse. Three riflemen shot three volleys into the air.

And then it was his time to play the somber song of Americana, a tune etched in our collective memory but fading away from singular moments like this.

Sgt. Keston Marin plays taps. It is a skill that fewer service people have, prompting musicians and politicians to question how to keep pure one of the country's most honored traditions.

Miami Herald

[abbeyco]

1. Bless Sgt Keston Marin

for his duty to play at the services for our troops from WWII or Iraq conflicts.

I know when we buried my Dad a few years back, the gentleman playing Taps was in his 60's and after talking to him, he's a Disabled Vet who does it to honor anyone who served our country.

In Denver, these guys do upwards of 10 services a day - a very noble thing for them to do. There's usually an article about the retiree corps that are out at Fort Logan Cemetery every day.

I can't thank them enough - although I still can't hear Taps without breaking down, it's a huge comfort and honor to have them at a committal service.

:patriot:

[jody]

2. When it comes my time I want a real person playing taps even if my estate has to pay. n/t