The American Legion is working on a special tribute to fallen service members this Memorial Day, a time for honoring and mourning the military personnel who died while serving in the US Armed Forces. This year, Memorial Day is Monday, May 25. With the Coronavirus impacting all, the American Legion recognizes that a traditional Memorial Day celebration will not be advisable.

American Legion Post 202 is seeking buglers/trumpeters or other brass instrument musicians to play “Taps” along the Housatonic River. The melody, which lasts 59 seconds, will be played every minute. The hope is to create a continuous echo of the 24-note tune on the Housatonic River with lone buglers spaced about one mile apart on the river, from the Long Island Sound to the Massachusetts State Line. This will be a special way to honor deceased military while maintaining social distancing.

The first “Taps” will sound in Derby/Shelton at 10:01 am, with Shelton Veterans Park echo at 10:02. The echoes will carry on from there to each succeeding location, approximately every mile northward.

One or two veterans will accompany each musician to render a hand-salute as they play “Taps.” There will be ample space for social distancing of participants while allowing for music honoring the solemnity of the occasion.

Any musicians, of any age, who would like to participate, and any veterans who want to participate at one of eight Newtown locations, are invited to take part. Newtown residents can e-mail Americanlegionnewtown@gmail.com or call 203-577-9568 for locations.

Those in Fairfield or New Haven County should contact Mike Kellett at admin@sheltonpost16.org. Litchfield County residents should contact Karl Crump at kcrumpusmc@gmail.com.