At approximately 3 p.m., local time Monday (and across the country), 10s of thousands of musicians took part in Taps Across America. 

Memorial Day, a day where people in cemeteries, parades or family gatherings come together to remember those who died in service to our fallen heroes who gave their lives to protect us and the world from tyranny and oppression. 

Among those joining Taps Across America locally for the fourth year were a group from Clear Lake — Bud Stimmler, Dave and Barb Hemmer, Kathy Hanson, Eileen Hanson, Pat Throlson and Gary Grey and Marnie Finley  — who gathered at McDonald’s Meats parking lot to play Taps and wave flags at the passing traffic.

Taps Across America began in 2020, during COVID. CBS correspondent Steve Hartman remembered a story he did in 2012 on Dan Brittain, who sounded Taps on his balcony. Hartman thought other trumpet players could do the same. 

In 2022 Taps Across America was organized and is held each year.