As the summer nights tick by, the volunteer buglers for One Hundred Nights of Taps at the Gettysburg National Cemetery have been performing to appreciative visitors each evening at the base of the Soldiers’ National Monument.
During the closing ceremony at summer’s end, one of the 100 buglers will be awarded the Kanstul Bb regulation bugle with copper bell and commemorative engraving donated for the event. This very special bugle has been on display over the summer at the David Wills House Museum in downtown Gettysburg.
Wendy Allen, Vice President of the sponsoring Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania, has provided a great report on the progress of the event:
It is difficult to explain how significant this One Hundred Nights of Taps, Gettysburg, 2018 has become to the men, women and children who attend it. My mantra throughout this experience is that we put on a unique civilian ceremony, with simple protocol but earnest intent, to give our steadfast thanks and to honor to those individuals who have died in the service of the United States, with a particular focus on those who rest in Gettysburg National Cemetery in the Gettysburg National Military Park.
We hold the 7 p.m. ceremony at the absolutely stunning Soldiers’ National Monument. It stands in the center of the large cemetery. From either entrance points, it is a pretty good walk, especially for folks with limited mobility. But they still come. They leave plenty of time to be there. I don’t hear all of their stories, but I know they have powerfully moving ones. The program is never longer than ten minutes and yet many people are moved to tears. That is a profound reflection on people’s love of country and those who defended it with their last full measure devotion.
But, of course, none of this would be possible without the talent and generosity of the one hundred or more musicians who participate in the program. They are diamonds. Their gift of sounding taps guides each and every soul in attendance to a sacred, solemn, and emotional place. They help us mourn without losing hope. They make us better humans with their dignity.
The crowds have been noticeably larger this year. The popularity of the program has been mostly generated by word of mouth. Just yesterday six people in the crowd were from England. We have many young children who attend the program and they normally sit around the stony path close to where the presenter stands. I love that they want to be near the participants. They can be as close as they like and they usually are. They are always mesmerized by the bugler. They listen to the presenter’s words very carefully. They learn about real bravery and, most importantly, they learn that the brave shall never be forgotten.
One Hundred Nights of Taps, Gettysburg, 2018, is an extremely moving ceremony. I am personally grateful to all the talented buglers participating in the program. They travel here to Gettysburg and most importantly, to Jari Villanueva for his continued time, support, and unmatched expertise.
One Hundred Nights of Taps, Gettysburg, 2018, is sponsored by the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania in partnership with Taps for Veterans, and The Gettysburg National Military Park.
Kanstul has been building regulation and ceremonial instruments for many years and for top military organizations, such as the US Army Band Herald Trumpets. We’re honored to be part of this salute to those who have sacrificed in service to our nation.
Tune into the live Facebook coverage of the drawing for the commemorative Kanstul bugle
The closing ceremony will take place on Labor Day, Monday, September 3, at the Soldier’s Monument in the Gettysburg National Cemetery. At 5:15 PM ET, the name of the winner of the Kanstul bugle will be drawn. The drawing will be live-streamed on Facebook on 100 Nights of Taps Gettysburg 2018 page. For detailed program go to the same link.
