My dad, Tim Bjorklund, did not set out to become a volunteer Taps player – but he has been playing Taps for veterans’ funerals for more than 20 years. “This is the most rewarding ‘job’ I have ever had,” Dad said.
Photo: Rachel ClellandDad farms near Lake Poinsett, South Dakota. Before that, Dad played trumpet in the Arlington High School band in Arlington, South Dakota
until he graduated in 1975. After that, Dad began his farming career. His
trumpet sat untouched until the early 2000s, when retired Arlington band
director Bob King and some of his former students (Dad included) gathered their
instruments to play at Trinity Lutheran Church’s talent show. At that talent
show, the Arlington Brass quintet was born.
Little did Dad know, but so was his Taps career.
In 2004, Dad was asked to play Taps for a man named Lyle Piehl. That was the first time Dad played Taps, and he has not stopped.
Dad has played for veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. He has played for nine American Legions and in 16 cemeteries. Dad has played Taps for four women and 70+ men. He has played for 14 classmates’ parents, a set of brothers, a father/son pair, and two mother/son pairs. Dad has played for his own uncles and mother-in-law.
“Every Taps story is special,” Dad said. However, in all his years of playing Taps, two instances stand out. He played Taps for a 7th Day Adventist, who was a conscientious objector during World War II. When it came time for the three-volley salute, the honor guard said, “Ready, aim,” but no “fire.”
The other occasion was the funeral of my grandma Lorraine (his mother-in-law), who served in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) in the Navy in World War II. Tim played Taps for her funeral, but he was joined by his son-in-law, James. “Where else in the world could you hear a veteran’s son-in-law and the son-in-law’s son-in-law play Taps together?” said Dad.
In addition to playing Taps at funerals, Dad has played Taps to dedicate the Veterans’ Memorial in Arlington, along with playing Taps at Arlington’s Memorial Day program each year. For the past five years, Dad has participated in Taps Across America. Taps Across America is an event that takes place on each Memorial Day at 3pm local time. Anyone who can play Taps does so at this time, marking a national moment of remembrance. "My hope would be that somebody else dusts off their horn and does the same thing," said Dad.
When asked when Dad will retire his horn, he said, “I don’t know – but not today.”
I am very proud to call Tim my friend!
ReplyDeleteSuch an awesome, heartwarming story. So happy you shared it, Calla!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful. Kudos to your father.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tim for honoring our veterans.
ReplyDeleteIt’s an honor every time I hear Tim play - taps or any other piece.