They are 24 of some of the most recognizable music notes in U.S. military history, and they’ve been played at the same spot in D.C. every day — rain or shine — for the past three years.
In today’s edition of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax heads out to D.C.’s WWI Memorial for the 1,000th performance of Taps.
The tradition was started in May 2021 by the American Doughboy Foundation, whose task it is to educate the public about the country’s involvement in World War I. Taps is played every day at the foot of the WWI Memorial’s flagpole, just across from the Willard Hotel, to honor members of the U.S. armed forces from every conflict, both living and deceased.
The invitation to play Taps at the WWI Memorial has been accepted by guests far and wide, from 10-time Grammy Award-winning Cuban trumpet player Arturo Sandoval, to members of the Belgian Armed Forces, local trumpet players in the Baltimore Symphony, all the way to high school ROTC buglers.
It’s something organizers say they want to continue for all time — no matter what.
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