| Buglers of Arlington National Cemetery |
Arlington Mansion and 200 acres of ground immediately surrounding it were officially designated as a military cemetery June 15, 1864, by the Secretary
of War, Edwin M. Stanton. The mansion was originally the home of Robert E. Lee and Mary Custis Lee. Today, the current size of Arlington National
Cemetery is 612 acres, and more than 260,000 Americans are buried within the grounds. Veterans from all the nation's wars are buried in the cemetery,
from the American Revolution through the Persian Gulf War, Somalia and the current conflict in Iraq . Pre-Civil War dead were reinterred after 1900.
Arlington House (Custis-Lee Mansion) and the grounds in its immediate vicinity are administered by the National Park Service while the cemetery is
run by the Department of the Army. Funerals are normally conducted five days a week, excluding weekends. Funerals including interments and
inurnments average 20 per day. The flags in ANC are flown at half-staff from one-half hour before the first funeral until one-half hour after the last
funeral each day.
Taps can be heard an average of thirty times a day at Arlington National Cemetery. The bugle call is sounded at the many funerals and ceremonies
held there, including wreath ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force have bands stationed in the
Washington, D.C. area, from which buglers are assigned to play for various ceremonies at the cemetery.
The bugler plays an important role in the military funeral. A bugler reports to the gravesite before each funeral. During the honors portion of the
ceremony, a firing party fires three volleys. This is followed by the sounding of Taps. The military honors conclude with the folding of the flag and its
presentation to the next of kin.
An atmosphere of reverence is desired throughout the cemetery. Upon hearing Taps, visitors to Arlington should cease conversation, face toward the
music, and place their right hand over their heart. Military members in uniform should render the hand salute.
Today, the use of actual valveless bugles is limited because of logistical requirements. Most bugle calls at Arlington are sounded on a valved trumpet or
cornet. However, the US Army Band retains the tradition of using bugles in ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
of War, Edwin M. Stanton. The mansion was originally the home of Robert E. Lee and Mary Custis Lee. Today, the current size of Arlington National
Cemetery is 612 acres, and more than 260,000 Americans are buried within the grounds. Veterans from all the nation's wars are buried in the cemetery,
from the American Revolution through the Persian Gulf War, Somalia and the current conflict in Iraq . Pre-Civil War dead were reinterred after 1900.
Arlington House (Custis-Lee Mansion) and the grounds in its immediate vicinity are administered by the National Park Service while the cemetery is
run by the Department of the Army. Funerals are normally conducted five days a week, excluding weekends. Funerals including interments and
inurnments average 20 per day. The flags in ANC are flown at half-staff from one-half hour before the first funeral until one-half hour after the last
funeral each day.
Taps can be heard an average of thirty times a day at Arlington National Cemetery. The bugle call is sounded at the many funerals and ceremonies
held there, including wreath ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force have bands stationed in the
Washington, D.C. area, from which buglers are assigned to play for various ceremonies at the cemetery.
The bugler plays an important role in the military funeral. A bugler reports to the gravesite before each funeral. During the honors portion of the
ceremony, a firing party fires three volleys. This is followed by the sounding of Taps. The military honors conclude with the folding of the flag and its
presentation to the next of kin.
An atmosphere of reverence is desired throughout the cemetery. Upon hearing Taps, visitors to Arlington should cease conversation, face toward the
music, and place their right hand over their heart. Military members in uniform should render the hand salute.
Today, the use of actual valveless bugles is limited because of logistical requirements. Most bugle calls at Arlington are sounded on a valved trumpet or
cornet. However, the US Army Band retains the tradition of using bugles in ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
| THE BUGLER OF ARLINGTON Author Unknown I am the bugler of Arlington But this honor belongs not to one man alone. Today, I stand the watch. Yesterday in our history, it was stood by the many who have gone before me. Tomorrow in our future, others will carry on when I am gone, Because this great nation of ours will always have a need for paying tribute to its honored dead. So today, I am the bugler of Arlington. I stand alone with my thoughts On the brow of a windswept hill Beneath the swaying bows of a protective oak Watching o'er our nation's dead. Around me stand the living, Beneath me lie the dead. The open grave not far away Leaves little to be said. So, I stand alone with my thoughts today, And find so much for which to be thankful. Yes, I'm profoundly thankful For these stones upon this hillside Over which I daily play, They tell a story of our country; For them I duly pray |
Three US Army Buglers sounded Taps for the Unknown Interments
FRANK WITCHEY
Staff Sergeant Frank Witchey, Third Cavalry Regiment. Sgt. Witchey sounded Taps at the interment of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 1921,
with President Harding presiding. He also sounded Taps for the funerals of President Woodrow Wilson, Lt. General Nelson A. Miles, Lt. General S. B.
M. Young, Major General Leonard Wood and Colonel William Jennings Bryan. Sgt. Witchey is buried at Arlington in Section 18.
GEORGE MYERS
Sergeant First Class George Myers served in the US Army Band from 1945-1961. He was principal bugler for the band and sounded Taps at the
interment of the WWII/Korean War Unknowns on May 30, 1958. He also sounded Taps at the funerals of General John "Black Jack" Pershing, General
George C. Marshall, General Hap Arnold and Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. Sgt. Myers is buried in Section 34 near the gave of
General Pershing.
PATRICK MAESTROLEO
Sergeant Major Patrick Maestroleo served in the US Army band from 1956-1991. He sounded Taps at the funerals of Presidents Truman, Eisenhower
and Johnson. Maestroleo became the principal bugler of the US Army Band in February, 1968 and served in that position until his retirement. On May
28, 1984, he sounded Taps for the interment of the Vietnam Unknown. President Reagan presided. The Vietnam Conflict Unknown was disinterred
in 1998 and identified as Air Force First Lieutenant Michael Blassie. Blassie was reburied at Jefferson Barracks in Missouri.
FRANK WITCHEY
Staff Sergeant Frank Witchey, Third Cavalry Regiment. Sgt. Witchey sounded Taps at the interment of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 1921,
with President Harding presiding. He also sounded Taps for the funerals of President Woodrow Wilson, Lt. General Nelson A. Miles, Lt. General S. B.
M. Young, Major General Leonard Wood and Colonel William Jennings Bryan. Sgt. Witchey is buried at Arlington in Section 18.
GEORGE MYERS
Sergeant First Class George Myers served in the US Army Band from 1945-1961. He was principal bugler for the band and sounded Taps at the
interment of the WWII/Korean War Unknowns on May 30, 1958. He also sounded Taps at the funerals of General John "Black Jack" Pershing, General
George C. Marshall, General Hap Arnold and Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. Sgt. Myers is buried in Section 34 near the gave of
General Pershing.
PATRICK MAESTROLEO
Sergeant Major Patrick Maestroleo served in the US Army band from 1956-1991. He sounded Taps at the funerals of Presidents Truman, Eisenhower
and Johnson. Maestroleo became the principal bugler of the US Army Band in February, 1968 and served in that position until his retirement. On May
28, 1984, he sounded Taps for the interment of the Vietnam Unknown. President Reagan presided. The Vietnam Conflict Unknown was disinterred
in 1998 and identified as Air Force First Lieutenant Michael Blassie. Blassie was reburied at Jefferson Barracks in Missouri.
WHEN TAPS IS BLOWN FOR ME
Author Unknown
When my last hitch is ended,
And this weary, time-worn clay
Is shrouded with Old Glory
And forever laid away,
Will those who soldiered with me,
For a moment cease their glee
To bow their heads in sadness
When Taps is blown for me?
Will they march behind me then,
And with sad and silent tread
Take me to my moss-grown bunk,
In the barracks of the dead?
Or shall I pass unnoticed
To my earth tent o'er the lea,
With but the moans of echoes,
When Taps is blown for me?
Many martial souls have fled,
Many better souls than I,
To face the great court martial,
In headquarters up on high,
Yet their passing has but been
As the roaring of the sea.
Yet somehow I hope for more,
When Taps is blown for me.
I picture in my dreaming
Dear Old Glory floating high
And the hush of waiting men,
'Neath a lovely summer sky
And the roaring of the volleys,
And the echoes from each tree
Then the bowing of each head,
When Taps is blown for me.
Author Unknown
When my last hitch is ended,
And this weary, time-worn clay
Is shrouded with Old Glory
And forever laid away,
Will those who soldiered with me,
For a moment cease their glee
To bow their heads in sadness
When Taps is blown for me?
Will they march behind me then,
And with sad and silent tread
Take me to my moss-grown bunk,
In the barracks of the dead?
Or shall I pass unnoticed
To my earth tent o'er the lea,
With but the moans of echoes,
When Taps is blown for me?
Many martial souls have fled,
Many better souls than I,
To face the great court martial,
In headquarters up on high,
Yet their passing has but been
As the roaring of the sea.
Yet somehow I hope for more,
When Taps is blown for me.
I picture in my dreaming
Dear Old Glory floating high
And the hush of waiting men,
'Neath a lovely summer sky
And the roaring of the volleys,
And the echoes from each tree
Then the bowing of each head,
When Taps is blown for me.
Above: US Army bugler Staff Sergeant Frank Witchey sounds Taps at
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier circa 1920s. The tomb is shown before
it was capped with the marble monument. Witchey is buried at Arlington
in Section 18. National Archives photo.
Top Right: This photo of Sgt. Witchey shows the tabard for the Third
Cavalry.
Bottom Right: Witchey's bugle is at The 3rd Cavalry Museum at Fort
Carson, Colorado.
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier circa 1920s. The tomb is shown before
it was capped with the marble monument. Witchey is buried at Arlington
in Section 18. National Archives photo.
Top Right: This photo of Sgt. Witchey shows the tabard for the Third
Cavalry.
Bottom Right: Witchey's bugle is at The 3rd Cavalry Museum at Fort
Carson, Colorado.
Army Sgt. George Myers at the Tomb of the Unknowns
Top Right: Sgt. Major Patrick Maestroleo
sounds Taps at the interment of the Vietnam
Unknown.
Left: This picture shows the interment
ceremony for the Unknowns of World War II
and Korea at the Tomb May 30, 1958.
President Eisenhower presided and Vice
President Nixon acted as next of kin.
Bottom Right: Sgt. Major Maestroleo
sounds Taps at the interment of the Vietnam
Unknown.
Left: This picture shows the interment
ceremony for the Unknowns of World War II
and Korea at the Tomb May 30, 1958.
President Eisenhower presided and Vice
President Nixon acted as next of kin.
Bottom Right: Sgt. Major Maestroleo
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