05/19/2026
COMBAT AIR MUSEUM TO HOST “TAPS ACROSS AMERICA” CEREMONY MONDAY, MAY 25 AT 2:45 P.M.
The Combat Air Museum will join a nationwide Memorial Day tribute by participating in Taps Across America at 2:45 p.m. on Monday, May 25.
The event will begin with a welcome and introduction of retired Air Force Captain Herschel Stroud, who will explain the history and meaning of the song “Taps.” The American Legion Post 400 Honor Guard will provide a rifle salute, followed by Captain Stroud performing Taps at 3 p.m., concluding the ceremony. Visitors will receive free admission after 2 p.m.
Taps Across America is a nationwide tribute dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of our fallen military heroes. Founded in 2020 by retired Air Force bugler Jari Villanueva, Co-Founder of Taps for Veterans, this powerful tradition began as a way to bring Americans together during the pandemic. Instead of parades and public ceremonies, thousands of musicians—professional and amateur alike—took to their front porches and local landmarks to sound Taps in unison.
What started as a moment of remembrance has grown into an annual Memorial Day tradition. Each year at 3:00 PM (local time), musicians from all backgrounds join in a synchronized, nationwide sounding of Taps, uniting the country in a shared moment of honor, remembrance, and reflection. More than 10,000 musicians participated in the inaugural tribute, and the movement continues to grow, ensuring that no sacrifice is forgotten.
Memorial Day is more than the unofficial start of summer—it is a day of solemn reflection dedicated to the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Originally known as Decoration Day, this tradition dates back to the Civil War, when families placed flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers.
In 2000, Congress established the National Moment of Remembrance, encouraging all Americans to pause at 3:00 PM local time for one minute of silence. Taps Across America extends this moment by inviting musicians to sound Taps in unison across the country.
Learn more about Taps Across America at https://www.tapsacrossamerica.org/
The Combat Air Museum is located on the Former Forbes Air Force Base, now Topeka Regional Airport at 7016 SE Forbes Avenue, Topeka, Kansas. For more information, contact museum director Kevin Drewelow at 785.862.3303 or at [email protected]
Learn more about the Combat Air Museum at www.combatairmuseum.org or at www.facebook.com/CombatAirMuseum/
