Taps sounds the final farewell

by Staff Sgt. Amber R. Kelly-Herard
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

10/6/2014 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill.  -- During an 80-degree fall day, Jefferson Barracks was silent save for those mourning their losses and a three-volley rifle salute followed by Taps amid perfectly-lined tombstones.

Since 2000, Congress has authorized a recording of Taps to be played because of a military bugler shortage.  The family of Navy Aviation Cadet V5 Stephen W. Kohl, who served 1943 - 1947, requested a live playing of Taps through the organization Bugles Across America.

Seeing the request, Col. Brian A. Reno, 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center) Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, volunteered to play his cornet at the funeral.

"I've been playing with Bugles Across America for about 4 years and I try to play as often as I can, which ends up being a few times a year," said Reno, who volunteers to play within a 100-mile radius of O'Fallon, Illinois. "It's an honor and a privilege to play Taps.  Every Veteran is entitled to it, and I'm happy to oblige, because it's always better live."

In a note to Reno, Matt Kohl, the son of Stephen who made the request via Bugles Across America, wrote, "Thank you for your beautiful bugle playing, it's something I will carry with me forever."

Reno is one of 7,500 buglers across America who volunteer to perform at funerals for the more than half-million veterans who pass away every year.

The Euclid, Ohio, native played the trumpet while in high school, but quit playing after his first year of college.

"I picked it up again 11 years ago and now I play regularly at church and in a few jazz bands around St. Louis," said Reno.

The cornet Reno used for Kohl's funeral has a special history. Engraved on the silver instrument below the ornate gold anchor and "U.S.N" artwork are the words "Great Lakes." The cornet was made in 1917 for the band at Naval Station Great Lakes in Chicago, Illinois, which at the time was under the direction of Lieutenant Commander John Philip Sousa.

"So this horn," said Reno, "has probably played 'The Stars and Stripes Forever' under the baton of John Philip Sousa himself."

Reno is an Individual Mobilization Augmentee, but most wouldn't know it since he has been serving on orders at the 618th TACC almost continuously since his first day on September 11, 2001. Prior to that, he was on active duty for 14 years, as an instructor pilot in the T-38A, F-4G and AT-38B.