It was an early morning within the city, and everyone was still in their beds. A young man looks out across the campus and sees a school waking up for another day of classes. In his left hand he has a brass trumpet, and in his right he has his might. As the morning fog comes across the drill field where the cadets did their morning exercising, the young man stands in silence. No sound could be heard besides the birds who, themselves, were waking up. The young man looked at his watch and looked across towards the tower that shined so brought across the land.
From on top of the hill the man could see a flag pole and a group of men bearing a well-known flag. The young man looked at his watch and put his trumpet up to his lips and took a deep breath. He sounded “First Call” as loud as he could. The cadets quickly got to their feet from within the barracks and hurried around. This was the morning call to prepare the cadets for “Reveille.” The cadets ran in formation to the Drill Field and formed ranks according to their company. They all faced the direction of the empty flag pole which stood on top of the hill next to the glorious tower.
The bugler stood by, awaiting the time to come for him to call “Reveille.” His heart always pounded heavily in his chest, for he knew this call very well. The cadets were on the field and the bugler was by himself. No one knew where he stood, but they understood his purpose. The bugler looked at his watch once more and looked across the field where hundreds of cadets were lined up as if they were heading to battle. Some were still sleeping while others were wanting their cup of coffee.
The bugler put his trumpet to his lips once more and the cadet who manned the bell at the tower began to ring the bell seven times. After the seventh bell rang, silence fell across the morning air. The bugler took one huge breath and sounded “Reveille.” The men at the empty flag pole raised the American flag up the pole while “Reveille” was being played by the bugler. However, once the American flag was raised to the top, the men lowered it back down till it stopped halfway.
The bugler continued to play as a tear ran down his face. The cadets all saluted the flag for this morning was a different morning for everyone. Today was December 8, 1941, and the entire campus knew that their lives were going to change. After “Reveille” was sounded, a huge roar came from the cannon signifying the official start to another day at school.
It was a late afternoon within the city, and everyone was busily strolling through the campus. A young man looks out across the campus from on top of the hill and sees a school in busy motion for another day of school. In his left hand he has a silver trumpet, and in his right he has his mouthpiece. As the afternoon sun comes across the drill field where the cadets did their drill, the young man walks down from the hill. Many sounds could be heard, but some stopped in silence when they saw the young man with the trumpet. The young man marched on the sidewalk and did not make a sound. He walked with dignity as he approached the flag pole with the American flag at half-mast.
The young man stood a ways back from the flag and stood still. Behind him the tower that shined upon the campus stood still in sadness. A crowd of cadets and people were gathered around the flag. The young man stood there in silence as many looked at him in confusion. A ceremony was being held underneath the flag. A group of men with rifles did a 21-gun salute as the bugler put his trumpet to his lips. The campus stopped all at once and were awestruck by the noise.
The bugler sounded “Taps.” All motion ceased. No one made a sound as they drew their attention to the American flag. The men at the flag pole rose the flag to full mast and lowered it back down again. The bugler maintained his composure as a tear ran down his face. He knew this bugle call so well though, it pained him to play it. Today was September 11, 2015, and the entire campus knew that their lives were impacted 14 years ago, that day. After “Taps” was sounded the crowd left the ceremony while the bugler stood there looking towards the flag pole and wondering how many times his heart would play "Taps."
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