As a pillar of Kansas City’s civic life, the National WWI Museum and Memorial is a fitting place to celebrate community and tradition during the summer.
Especially inviting is the Museum and Memorial’s fifth annual Taps at the Towers.
Taps, a timeless song played on the bugle, is often associated with the United States Military or funerals. However, it is also played in cheerful, community settings, typically at sunset.
Each evening from Sunday, June 17 – Saturday, June 23, at 8:45 p.m., the Museum and Memorial invites visitors to experience a brief, yet moving ceremony that includes the playing of taps.
Watch the sunset as the color guard displays the flags, and a wreath is presented to honor the brave men and women in our armed forces. Additionally, there is a recitation of the inscription from the Museum and Memorial’s north side Frieze reading, “These have dared bear the torches of sacrifice and service. Their bodies return to dust but their work liveth evermore. Let us strive on to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
Taps at the Tower links the beauty and simplicity of the Taps bugle call with the symbolism of the Liberty Memorial. It is both a celebration of community and a reminder of the connection between the past and present.
People are invited to come and use the grounds each evening, have a picnic, play games and enjoy the outdoors. The event will occur rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Paul Sunderland Glass Bridge inside the Museum and Memorial.
Taps at the Tower is supported by the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund of Kansas City, Mo. For more details visit www.theworldwar.org/visit/taps
–Vince Munoz
