A Centennial Remembrance
Taps at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Taps For Veterans is sponsoring TAPS IN HONORED GLORY to commemorate the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the buglers who have sounded Taps there over the past century. The event is sponsored by Taps For Veterans with support from Arlington National Cemetery, The United States Army Band, The Military District of Washington, The World War I Centennial Commission and The Society of the Honor Guard Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The ceremony will take place on Sunday November 7, 2021 at 10 am in the Tanner Amphitheater (Old Amphitheater) at Arlington National Cemetery. We will be streaming the day’s events on our Facebook page and also on this website!
Following the 10 am ceremony, everyone is invited to walk to the graves of Tech Sgt Frank Witchey, SFC George Myers, and SGM Patrick Mastroleo for wreath laying ceremonies. A walking map will be provided with the route.
12:00 Tech Sgt Frank Witchey – Section 19
12:15 SFC George Myers – Section 34
12:20 SGM Patrick Mastroleo – Section 34
— Taps will be sounded at the bugler’s graves by SSG Kevin Paul, US Army Band.
Following the laying of wreaths we will walk to the Memorial Amphitheater where a wreath will be presented by the family of Tech Sgt Frank Witchey at 1:15 pm
The event is open to the general public.
PARTICIPANTS
Taps For Veterans
Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The United States Army Band (Pershing’s Own)
The Joint Service Colors Team Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Platoon, 3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
World War I Centennial Commission
American Gold Star Mothers
Daughters of the American Revolution
Important Information
If you wish to sound Taps at the closing ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, you must register for the event. (Information will be provided upon registration).
— Register prior to November 1 to be listed in the printed program.
— Please only buglers, cornet or trumpet players for this event.
— Register ONLY if you are planning on attending in-person at Arlington National Cemetery.
For all other attendees, the ceremonial events (beginning at 10:00 am) are open to the general public and no registration is required.
[rtec-registration-form event=2868]
SCHEDULE OF THE EVENTS FOR SUNDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2021
We begin at 10:00 am
Tanner Amphitheater, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington Virginia
PRE-CEREMONY MUSIC
The United States Army Band Brass Quintet
OPENING NARRATION
Mr. Jari Villanueva, Bugle Historian
ADVANCEMENT OF THE COLORS/NATIONAL ANTHEM
The Joint Service Colors Team/U.S. Army Band Brass Quintet
INVOCATION
Chaplain
REMARKS
Gavin McIlvenna SGM (ret),
Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
REMARKS
Mrs. Jo Ann Maitland, National President, American Gold Star Mothers
REMARKS
Mr. Daniel Dayton CEO, The WWI Centennial Commission
MUSICAL SELECTION
The US Army Band
CLOSING NARRATION
Mr. Jari Villanueva, Bugle Historian
MASSED SOUNDING OF TAPS
All buglers
CLOSING NARRATION
Mr. Jari Villanueva, Bugle Historian
MUSIC
The United States Army Band Brass Quintet
Important Information
- All participating buglers must register for the event. We would like to include names and hometowns for the printed program. Registration will continue after November 1 until November 6, however, late registrants will not be on the program.
- The ceremonial events (beginning at 1000) are no cost and open to the general public.
- There will be no sounding of Taps by buglers throughout the cemetery as before, only the massed playing at the conclusion of the ceremony.
- Taps will be sounded at the bugler’s graves by SSG Kevin Paul, US Army Band.
- As of now there is no rehearsal. We will be playing the arrangement the day before at 4:30 at the National WWI Memorial.
- Music is available for download here and on Facebook. A download link will be provided in the confirmation email upon registration.
- There are restrooms at the Welcome Center, the Arlington House (next to the Old Amphitheater) and at the Memorial Amphitheater.
Walking Map At Arlington National Cemetery
Parking Information
Everyone is encouraged to park in the Arlington Parking Garage and walk to the Amphitheater for the day. There will be a very limited amount of parking passes available which are reserved for those who are assisting in the program or have mobility issues.
For questions, or to request reserved parking, send us a message from our Contact Page.
Please note that Arlington National Cemetery requires visitors 16 and over to have valid identification to enter, and that the current COVID-19 requirements will be enforced. Read the full requirements here.
You can support TAPS IN HONORED GLORY by purchasing a commemorative challenge coin.
Coins are $21.00 plus $5 shipping to US and are numbered.
We also have patches for TAPS IN HONORED GLORY.
Patches are $10.00 with free shipping. US addresses only.
NOTE – if you plan on participating on November 7 at Arlington National Cemetery, you will receive one patch as a token of our appreciation. Learn more here.
Taps For Veterans and TapsForVeterans.org reserve the right to alter, postpone or cancel this event at any time, with or without prior notice.