NEWS

Ben Mitchell started preforming "Taps" at the Memorial Day Ceremony in Davidson six years ago; he'll be back again this year. (News of Davidson photo)

While many view Memorial Day as the “start of Summer,” it is so much more.

Memorial is the day that our Nation pauses to honor all those who died in service to our Nation in war. It is the day to honor soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guard personnel, and civilians who died in battles around the globe in conflicts from World War I to the most recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In 2020, in the midst of the COVID pandemic, CBS’ Steve Hartman issued a blanket plea to musicians to step up and volunteer to play “Taps” on Memorial Day. It was that effort that resulted in a chance social media connection here in Davidson. When searching for someone to play “Taps” at the Davidson College War Memorial, a “friend of a friend” was sure her son could do it.

That started Ben Mitchell’s connection to playing “Taps” as a part of “Taps Across America.” It is something that he has done every year since.

In 2021, local CBS affiliate WBTV was there to capture Ben’s performance.  His solemn notes and a brief interview were part of the evening news broadcast. The online version of the story can be found at this link.

This Memorial Day, people are invited to show up at the Davidson College War Memorial at 2:30 p.m. Those attending will be invited to share their stories about their service, the service of family members or friends, or to discuss the significance of Memorial Day to them. Flags will be placed around the Memorial to honor the fallen. At 3:00 p.m. our trumpeter will play the mournful 24-notes of “Taps.”