by Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
HOULTON — He stands off in the distance as the solemn melancholy sound from his horn wafts its somber tune. Its 24 notes invoking sentiment that is strangely recognized by all.
“Taps” is played most often at military funerals. However, for those who have never donned a uniform or been on a battlefield, the tune is as sobering, revered and moving because of its significance.
Gerald “Butch” Riley of Houlton has been performing “Taps” for the American Legion Post 47 Honor Guard since 2004.
AN HONOR — Gerald “Butch” Riley of Houlton is honored to render “Taps” at veteran services.
“It is an experience to play ‘Taps,’” he said. “To have the privilege and the honor to render ‘Taps’ particularly at a military funeral. I feel I am part of a team at that time of highly skilled, dedicated professional military personnel, giving honor to veterans. I am signaling that honor to the family.”
Riley, who served in the U.S. Army for three years, doing two tours overseas in Vietnam, was honorably discharged in 1969. He served as a communication center specialist assigned to a MACV (Military Assistance Command Vietnam) advisory team in the Central Highlands.
Riley took trumpet lessons from Joe Robinson and played in Houlton High School’s band. He picked up his trumpet after 28 years when he joined McGills Community Band in 1990.
“I have been trying to play the trumpet for 50 years,” he said with a smile.
In 2004, Riley joined Bugles Across America, a group of trumpeters/buglers who volunteer to play live “Taps” at military funerals.
“The founder of Bugles Across America believed deeply that veterans should have a live bugler playing “Taps” whenever possible as opposed to a recording,” explained Riley.
Shortly after joining the organization, the American Legion Post 47 was forming an Honor Guard with a firing squad and a bugler.
“I offered to bugle at the Memorial Day ceremonies and Veterans Day, along with any other occasion they might need somebody to play primarily “Taps” or other bugle calls such as ‘To The Colors’ when necessary,” Riley said.
In 2000, the Department of Defense issued a regulation allowing veterans who were honorably discharged to be entitled to military funeral honors, consisting of at least two members of the military and the playing of “Taps.”
The American Legion Post 47 Honor Guard underwent training with the Army National Guard to become an approved provider of military funeral honors.
“I have been in every cemetery in northern Maine,” Riley said. “I have rendered “Taps” or bugle calls probably about 200 times. That is minimal compared to the number of funerals that the military provides honors to.”
The Buglers Across America motto translates “Sound the honor. Honor the sound.”
That is what Riley does each time he plays.
“I feel pride and humility,” he said. “It is a sense of privilege I am able to do that. The bugler is always off in the distance. I watch these young military men and women, whether they are Army, Air Force or Navy, fold the flag and render the honors to the veteran and family and I can see the family and they are focused on these folks and it is very meaningful for them. Then when it comes time for the bugler to sound “Taps,” which is merely 24 notes that can evoke a lot of emotion — when it is my time to do that or any bugler’s time — you know you are rendering an honor for that veteran that the family will remember. It’s a final act of gratitude.”
It has been projected that in the next year, a half million veterans will pass away.
“Imagine the workload of the military honor teams,” Riley noted. “It is really a privilege to work with these service men and women that render these honors. They do such a good job. You won’t find the detail performed any better in Arlington than right here.”
So, as the notes drift, a long tradition of tribute to veterans is marked with distinction through a melody.
“Playing “Taps” is an honor and we try to make it the best that we can,” said Riley. “Taps” to a veteran is special. It is recognizing and expressing gratitude to comrades. Comrades in Arms who have passed. When I play ‘Taps’ or think about ‘Taps’ I think of my buddies.”
For others, the solemn tune is just a poignant reminder of the price of freedom.
