[Tom Houlihan]

I was in the Scouts, and the school bands, from fourth grade through high school. One way or another, I marched in every parade our town had from age 8 or so on.

We made two cemetery stops along the way. Two trumpet players would step out of formation and go to their respective positions. One would play 'TAPS' in full view of the audience. The second would echo it, in a different key, from a hidden position. It was eerie and touching. I did it three of my four years in the HS band. To me, it was an honor and a privilege to do that for the fallen veterans of our town.

On a lighter note, we had a female precision marching team in our town, the "Rangerettes." They wore western style outfits, with skirts and cowboy hats. I always liked watching them twirl their rifles!!