“Taps” at Rainy Veterans Day Ceremony at Lynnwood Veterans Park
Posted by glennled on November 19, 2011
NW Junior Pipe Band (center) plays as firing squad awaits (right)
For one second on this special Veterans Day, the time was exactly 11:11:11 on 11-11-’11. A few minutes later, I sounded “Taps” for all our veterans, including me (Navy, Vietnam). Prior to the ceremony, Martin Spani, Commander of VFW Post 1040 of Lynnwood, had stationed me where the silver sculpture stands on a knoll in the Veterans Park in downtown, just south of the library. “After the NW Junior Pipe Band plays ‘Amazing Grace,'” he said, “the firing squad will fire three volleys. When they come to Present Arms, you play ‘Taps.'” And that’s just how it happened, probably very similar to many thousand other ceremonies this day across America, except for our pouring-down rain.
Out of curiosity, I looked for the plaque that would tell me about the stainless steel sculpture where I stood to sound “Taps”—it’s untitled (1979) by Bruce West.
Steven A. Rintanaki, Cpl, USMC, of Lynnwood, died Al Anbar Province, Iraq, 9/16/2004 - Portrait by Michael G. Reagan
The guest speaker was Michael G. Reagan, Edmonds artist, who spoke about his foundation’s Fallen Heroes Project. “Our mission,” he says, “is to honor the American Fallen Heroes for their ultimate sacrifice during the war against terrorism. The foundation will provide the resources to produce and distribute to each family a hand-drawn portrait of their Fallen Hero, created by artist Michael G. Reagan, free of charge. Each portrait is intended to show our Love and Respect for these Heroes and their families.” See http://www.fallenheroesproject.org/.
Commander, VFW Post 1040
If you donate $30 to VFW Post 1040, you can have a 7″ x 9″ inscribed memorial brick installed in Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Lynnwood in honor of a veteran, living or deceased. Currently, 805 such bricks line the pathways and plantings in the park. See http://www.vfwpost1040.org/index.php.
Click on any image to enlarge it.
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- NW Junior Pipe Band (center) plays as firing squad awaits (right)
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- Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force & Coast Guard flags
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- POW-MIA flag flies beneath Old Glory
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- NW Junior Pipe Band (center) plays as firing squad awaits (right)
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- Steven A. Rintanaki, Cpl, USMC, of Lynnwood, died Al Anbar Province, Iraq, 9/16/2004 – Portrait by Michael G. Reagan
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- Commander, VFW Post 1040
Glenn's Trumpet Notes 
Martin Spani said
This was a very moving and solemn ceremony, thanks in part, to all those who braved the elements. I received many compliments on the program and those who participated, the NWJr Pipe band, Mike Reagan, VFW Post 1040 Honor Guard and our Taps Bugler, Glenn Ledbetter. This park was a dream in 1998 and became a reality in 1999 and has been continuously improved on since then, with the addition of 805 engraved Veterans bricks from the civil war to the present.
glennled said
Yes, Martin, the ceremony was elegantly performed, despite the steady rain at one point. VFM Post 1040 appears to have been exceptional, consistently, for many years and certainly has many notable achievements. We appreciate the way veterans keep our nation’s military honors and traditions alive for every generation. Thanks.
Stephanie G. said
Thank you so much for this wonderful information. Veterans day will take on new meaning to us now that my father has passed. He was a WWII veteran. Can you please tell us how we can get involved in a Veteran’s Day ceremony for next year?
glennled said
Well, Stephanie, we have most of the year before next Veterans Day to figure this out. There are lots of ways for you to get involved, depending upon what you’re interested in doing. Let me talk to you first about your ideas, and then we can make some appropriate contacts. See you at A’s next trumpet lesson. Glad you liked the post. If you want to see similar stories on my blog, simply type “Taps” into the search window (upper right).