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This week at the National World War I Memorial in Washington, the somber sound of trumpets echoes in the cool evening air as the sound of running water echoes through the cool evening air, demonstrating Americans’ unwavering commitment to honor those who served in the war. It was a reminder again.
Since May 2021, volunteers have been working every afternoon to honor the 4.7 million Americans who served and the 116,516 who died in what became known as World War I. I always played 24 notes at 5 o’clock.
As the sun begins to set on Monday, the 1,000th clap will be heard at the 1.76-acre memorial just steps from the White House, marking what organizers say is an important living memorial to the fallen. A turning point has been reached.
“No one survived that war,” said Yari Villanueva, executive director of the Doughboy Foundation, a nonprofit organization that organizes daily taps at the monument.
“We represent all the veterans who are not here to speak for themselves,” he said. “We do it with 24 taps, the bugle sound that every military member knows. I hear a sound.”
The Doughboy Foundation is a member of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission, a 12-member commission authorized by Congress in 2013 to establish a national monument honoring those who served in World War I. was established to cooperate with the Society.
Since the memorial opened in April 2021, the Doughboy Foundation has continued its mission to care for the memorial and memory of those who served in the war.
The foundation has partnered with the nonprofit organization Taps for Veterans to make daily tap performances possible at the memorial.
Volunteers from all walks of life have lent their time and talents over the years to make the daily tribute a reality.
Villanueva said volunteers range from active duty and veterans to Grammy Award-winning musicians.
“They’re a really great group of people who understand the mission and use their time to honor the American people,” he said. “It’s really heartwarming to know that they know what this is.”
Kevin Paul, who played tap at Monday’s memorial service, was one of the musicians who helped organize the Daily Taps program.
Paul, an active duty Army musician stationed in Washington, estimates he has played the bugle at the World War I Memorial thousands of times throughout his career, including well over 100 nights since the program’s inception.
Still, he said the sound of taps never gets old.
“Those 24 notes mean a lot,” he said.
“It doesn’t just mean us,” he said of his fellow musicians. “It’s something bigger than us. Whenever I play it, it’s special to play it.”
Although familiar to those who have served in uniform, the humble bugle call also has special meaning to many outside of uniform.
Villanueva and Paul said the daily ritual brings the monument to life, often sparking conversations between passersby and the musicians playing in World War I-era military uniforms.
“They always get approached by people coming in and ask, ‘What’s up with the uniform? What do you do?'” And they ask who they represent and why they’re there. “We’ll talk about that,” he said.
These impromptu connections serve not only as an opportunity to spread awareness and education about the war and those who participated in it, but also as an opportunity for two strangers to momentarily come together in remembrance.
Now is the time to consider how war shaped previous generations.
The Rev. James DiPerri, a Catholic priest from Boston, happened upon Monday’s performance at the monument during a visit to Washington.
He said he grew up hearing stories of World War I from his grandfather and neighbors who served in the war. DiPerri said that for him, Monday’s trumpet sound served as a memorial to the sacrifices made by that generation.
“War changes society, for better or for worse,” he says. “Unfortunately, this is a reality. For those who endured the war, it will forever change the fabric of their communities and the world.”
Washington resident Hannah Hayne said she was drawn to the monument after seeing musicians in World War I uniforms warming up for Monday’s commemoration. The commemoration included the playing of the national anthem and ceremonial music before the ringing of taps.
“I think it’s beautiful,” she said. “That’s interesting.”
She said she had visited the World War I Memorial before to tap, and after learning it was the 1,000th time, she made sure to stay for Monday’s performance.
“I think it’s important to respect our history and not forget,” she said.
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