An alert “06880” reader who has never emailed before — and who requests anonymity — shares a special moment:
A friend and I were walking today. We took a seat at Old Mill Beach, on the bench next to the old Positano restaurant. We’ve walked there many times, but never sat down.
About 10 minutes into our conversation, a man appeared on the sidewalk. He started to play “Taps.”
Everyone nearby stood. A young boy put his hand over his heart.
When the man finished, we applauded and yelled “thank you!” He gave a quick wave, then disappeared.
My friend and I — who on September 11, 2001 were both newly married, and living in New York — cried our hearts out, right there on the bench.
We felt badly we had not taken a picture of the man playing “Taps.” Then we realized no photo could have captured that experience.
I don’t know the man’s name. But I hope he knows what a special moment he provided to the handful of people fortunate enough to have seen and heard him today.
My mom, Susan, was there too at this exact moment and heard this. She was so moved.
Thanks, Dan.
Wow! Powerful & moving!
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God bless us all. I fall apart when I hear “Taps” I am not as brave as those that do not.
Awesome.
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I too, was one of the very few people at Old Mill Beach. Despite the tears it brought, it was a beautiful moment. I’ll never forget it, as I’ll never forget why he was playing it…
he was standing on the stone wall looking out to sea- the tone of his Taps was very slow deep and rich. it was real and also surreal. i cried. i was so grateful to this man and the others on the beach – it was a pretty perfect moment.