For example, it was during one of these ceremonies on Liberty Island, under the welcoming arms of the Statue of Liberty, that I met members of the Women Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who told me about their experiences as pilots, who flew planes and fought alongside men in World War II. Several were fighter pilots. Others flew supply missions. And they accomplished all this in the United States before women’s liberation became popular.
In a similar ceremony in Brooklyn, I met Korean veterans who never got “a welcome home” parade or the recognition they deserved. Many spoke of the awful treatment that Korean Americans were subjected to during that time. They all spoke about pride in being an American.
During the ceremonies I performed in West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, I learned that the poorest group of White Americans, Appalachian Americans, had volunteered, fought, and died in larger numbers than any other ethnic group, in every war since World War I. I also became aware that they are the most decorated group of Americans: Appalachian Americans have been awarded more Congressional Medal of Honor medals than any other group of Americans. Back in the sixties and seventies they represented the biggest shame on our government, for although they were making the most sacrifices in defense of the United States, they were receiving less government benefits than any other group.
Sometimes the lessons were more current events than historic events. For example, during the late eighties, I played Taps on Memorial Day at the grave site of Mayor Harold Washington, the first black mayor of Chicago in 1983. It was during those ceremonies that I learned that Mayor Washington retired from the army as Sergeant First Class Washington. Then he used his G.I. bill to go to school and study engineering. After graduation he worked in Chicago. Later he became and remained active in politics until his death on November 25, 1987.
However, some of the most inspiring ceremonies at which I played Taps, every year, occurred at the First Division Museum at Cantigny located in Wheaton, Illinois. The museum, which is dedicated to the history of the 1st Infantry Division ― Big Red One, was built by Colonel Robert R. McCormick, who was the commander of 1st Battalion, 5th Artillery, 1st Infantry Division during World War I. In addition to the First Division Museum, Cantigny has a beautiful educational and recreational park for the enjoyment of families and visitors. Additionally, every year on Armed Forces Day, a group of Big Red One soldiers from Fort Riley, Kansas are brought to Chicago, where they are provided seven days of all-expense-paid vacations. Colonel McCormick, who later became editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, also made large monetary contributions to Northwestern University's School of Engineering and Applied Science, which now bears his name.
(Until very recently, the richest Americans ― especially conservative republicans invested their time and their money in America and their fellow citizens: At fund raising ceremonies for the United States Overseas or USO, it was common to see Governor Ronald Reagan, Senator Barry Goldwater, Senator Dole, Paul Harvey, Governor Bush, etc.)
Perhaps, the most unbelievable moment in my career occurred in 1982, when I played Taps at the Berlin Wall at the conclusion of President Reagan’s speech. I knew then that it was a special moment, and President Reagan was a special president. A few years later, I participated in Ronald Reagan’s Day in Dixon, Illinois, where he grew-up.
I think of him, and all the others, who sacrificed to make the United States the greatest nation on earth. Every day I have memories of them as I recall playing Taps when Memorial Day was every day.
