For those who participated, supported, or followed the 2005 EchoTaps

project, you probably had a huge feeling of pride and accomplishment.

Your efforts and contributions went far beyond the physical effort required

to connect two national cemeteries 42 miles apart with a line of nearly 700

brass players. You made our veterans aware that their contributions to

protect our rights and freedoms continue to be appreciated long after their

military journey has ended. Additionally, you helped raise awareness of our

National Cemeteries and the Department of Veterans Affairs, increased the

number of new buglers that now provide live Taps for deceased veterans,

and just for fun established a Guinness World Record for the largest Bugle

Ensemble.

When this project was started, it was hard to imagine where it would go,

how it would end, or what the lasting impact would be. What I can tell you

is that at the end of the day in May 2005 this was a project that far exceeded

the expectations of the EchoTaps organization team, and for that we are very

grateful to all.

When you work on a project like this, you never know who is listening or

watching. In this case it happened to be Acting Deputy Under Secretary for

Memorial Affairs Richard Wannemacher. As a guest speaker at the

EchoTaps closing ceremony, Mr. Wannemacher was so moved by the

performance of the buglers that he decided to champion an effort to make

project will include the playing of Taps, in a cascading fashion, at all

National Cemeteries and many State Veterans Cemeteries. Performances

will also take place at American Battle Monument Commission cemeteries

around the world.

Currently there are weekly conference calls involving Mr. Wannemacher

and his staff, Tom Day (Bugles Across America) and his staff, Laura Balum

(VAVS), Betsey Hearn (State Cemetery Grants Program), and the EchoTaps

organizers. These conference calls are intended to build a plan and

infrastructure which will enable us to perform an EchoTaps tribute to our

American military.

The first step is to build a method where brass players and volunteers can

register to be part of this event. Currently there are three locations that

worked out as the old EchoTaps website is getting a face lift. If something

doesn’t work yet, please try again later.

The second step is to perform a small trial run, or dress rehearsal, so the

cemetery directors can get a sense of what is involved with the registration

and performance process. November 11, 2006, Veterans Day, has been

selected for this purpose. This will be a relatively small event with only 20

to 30 brass players at each cemetery. The cascading bugle calls will simply

be attached to the bugler playing Taps as part of the normal Veterans Day

ceremony at national and state veteran cemeteries participating.

Third will be the registration of brass players and volunteers for the big

event on May 19, 2007. Brass player of all ages are asked to perform at the

cemetery of their choice. The only requirement is the ability to play a live

rendition of Taps on a brass instrument. Details for both brass players and

non-musical volunteers will be provided through the listed websites.

For those wishing to experience the 2005 EchoTaps event, photos, video,

television documentary, is expected for an October release. Final interviews

are taking place and editing is in progress. Copies will be available for

purchase through the EchoTaps website for $20.