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Trumpeter plays part in soldier's final roll call
Editor's Note: This is one of two articles profiling Steve Harry and Jerry Witt who have been playing Taps for a variety of military services and funerals for many years.
Penned by Union Gen. Daniel Butterfield in July 1862, the melody of Taps is recognized throughout the country. Two local men have been playing that very melody for military funerals, Veterans Day ceremonies and other military honor services in Fort Scott for many years.
For 48 years, Steve Harry has been playing the mournful 24-note tune at various events. His first military funeral was at the age of 14. As an aspiring musician, Harry joined the ROTC while attending college at Pittsburg State University, but was never drafted and never served.
"I opted not to go onto the advance program and get a commission because I wanted to play in a military band," he said.
Although he didn't serve, Harry does have a connection to the military. His father served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and his son, Christopher, is currently a captain in the U.S. Army. His son had been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and is currently serving as an Army lawyer.
To Harry, playing Taps is just a small token of appreciation he can give back to the men and women who serve in the military.
"It's a very minor contribution that one can make to honor the veterans, whether they were past heroes or guys who were serving now and killed in action," he said. "Playing Taps at their funeral is something that is minor to us, but I think it is very meaningful to the veterans that are there and their families."
Having played the familiar melody which marks the end of a service for nearly 50 years, Harry has seen and experienced a great deal. While in college, he played at a service held during the Christmas break in which the snow on the ground was higher the tops of his military boots. For another service, he played in freezing rain. By the end of that service, small icicles had formed on his trumpet.
He said the one that stuck out most to him was playing during a funeral service in a confined area. Normally the bugler is stationed near the rifle line, but due to space issues, he was next to the family.
"As I started to play, they began crying and I wasn't sure I was going to make it through that," he said. "It was very emotional for me."
Harry has an extensive musical background. He has two undergraduate degrees in music education and music performance, a graduate degree in trumpet performance, and he began working toward a doctoral degree in trumpet performance.
Harry and his wife, Pat, moved to Fort Scott in 1981. He was a band director for Fort Scott Community College for four years before taking the job as the band director for Fort Scott Middle School and Fort Scott High School until 1993 when he left due to hearing issues.
As a musician and former educator, Harry said he tries to convey a message with his playing, one that the audience will notice and connect with.
"It touches me every time I play (Taps), and I try to convey that through my playing to the family or the people who hear it," he said.
Local resident Jerry Witt also plays Taps for several services and Harry said on occasion he and Witt get to play together when they play Taps Echoes -- when Taps is played by one player while another stands in a different location and echoes the first.
Although he said he hopes to continue to play for many more years, Harry said he hopes more trumpet players will show interest in volunteering their time.
"I hope that we are always able to find trumpet players who are willing to give up their time and play Taps at veterans' services," he said.
Look for a second feature in The Tribune detailing Witt's experiences playing Taps.