Some 
200 buglers from across the country came together at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., to commemorate the 150th anniversary of “Taps,” the 24-note bugle call played at military funerals and memorial events. “On behalf of Arlington and all of the other national cemeteries, I want to thank each and every one of you today for honoring our veterans—those who are laid to rest and those who are currently serving—with your presence today,” said Kathryn Condon, the cemetery’s executive director, during the May 19 commemoration ceremony. “This is a great opportunity to honor all those who served and died in the military,” said 13-year-old middle-school trumpeter Alan Tolbert of Shippensburg, Pa., who played at the event. Many of the buglers wore war-period uniforms. Union Maj. Gen. Daniel Butterfield composed “Taps” during the Civil War. It was first sounded at a military burial in July of 1862, according to Pentagon officials. (Washington, D.C., report by Jim Dresbach)
When Airmen eject, the mission is clear: America leaves no warrior behind. Airmen are trained to survive, evade, resist, and escape the enemy, and everyone from ground crew to rescue personnel and commanders are committed to doing everything necessary—and possible—to bring downed Airmen home.