Two Soldiers, 'Taps' and a National Moment of Remembrance

Almost all states celebrate Memorial Day on the last Monday in May as a remembrance for those who gave their lives in our nation’s service.

To remind Americans of Memorial Day’s meaning, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed in December 2000. The resolution asks that at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, Americans voluntarily pause to observe a moment of silence or listen to “Taps.”

I wrote about the National Moment of Remembrance last year and sent my missive to a few friends. One of them, Elaine Huttenstine of Greer, S.C. — we both attended Greer High School but have not seen each other since — e-mailed the following reply:

“Shortly after lunch on Memorial Day, 2004, I read in Dear Abby about the 3 p.m. moment of remembrance,” Elaine wrote. “I suggested to Russ (her husband) that I thought it would be nice if he stood on our front porch and played ‘Taps’ on his trumpet at 3 p.m. His response was that the neighbors would think he was CRAZY!!

“After thinking about it, though, he decided he wanted to do it. I called my cousin Fred, who lives less than a quarter mile from our house – our house is on a hill and so is Fred’s. I told Fred what Russ was going to do and that I thought if he and his wife Kate stood on their porch they would probably be able to hear the trumpet because the wind was blowing in their direction.

“Now you need to know some background on this.

“Fred was 86 years old at that time (he is now 91 and still going strong). Fred was a fighter pilot in WWII, shot down behind enemy lines, captured and put in a German prison camp. I’ve forgotten how long he was in prison, but I remember that Allied forces freed them just shortly before he was scheduled for execution.

“Russ served in Vietnam. He was stationed in Korea and did periodic temporary duty in Vietnam as a sniper. He and some friends formed a band and entertained the troops in areas where it was too dangerous for the USO to go.

“On that Memorial Day, just before 3 p.m., Fred and Kate drove up in our yard (this was too important to him to just stand on his porch and hope to hear the trumpet). He was wearing his cap with his military insignias on it. Fred, Kate and I stood at attention in the yard facing the porch where Russ stood and played ‘Taps.’ It was a special moment – the patriotism and the emotion were indescribable. When Russ finished, we ALL had tears in our eyes, there were no words – no one could speak. Fred shook Russ’ hand, and the look between them was something only two soldiers could share. I’m in tears now just thinking about it.”

Elaine agreed to let me use her Memorial Day memory in a column. I asked how her husband was doing. She wrote that Russ died in 2005, five days before their 30th wedding anniversary.

Let’s not forget to pause at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day for a National Moment of Remembrance.