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Army Bugler Sounded Taps for 27 Years at Arlington National Cemetery

By Kevin M. Hymel on 9/22/2026

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Paul Wilhoit loved playing the trumpet. For 27 years, from 1974 to 2001, he played both the trumpet and the bugle for the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” at Fort Myer, Virginia, helping to render musical honors for national leaders, foreign dignitaries, heads of state, diplomats and veterans. He also honored the nation’s heroes at Arlington National Cemetery, sounding Taps at funeral services and wreath laying ceremonies. 

 

Kevin M. Hymel

The Kannettes: Separated by War, Together for Eternity

By Kevin M. Hymel on 9/22/2026

They met on Miami beach while war raged in Europe. James “Jim” Kannette, a jazz pianist, saw Eunice Brierley, a nurse, knitting. He asked her what she was doing, and she explained she was knitting socks. 

Kevin M. Hymel

Women’s Army Corps Sergeant Inspired by Her Family’s Legacy to Serve

By Kevin M. Hymel on 9/2/2026

Janice Montalto wanted to be a part of something bigger than herself. With her father serving in the U.S. Navy, her brother serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, and the war in Vietnam still raging, she volunteered for the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) on Sept. 19, 1972. 

Kevin M. Hymel

From Boot Camp to Guam: World War II Sailor Chronicled Navy Life

By Kevin M. Hymel on 8/31/2026

Joseph Manno rarely spoke about his combat service as a U.S. Navy hospital corpsman in the Pacific Theater during World War II, but he did document his Naval training experiences before he shipped out.  

 

Kevin M. Hymel

Family Says Final Goodbye to World War II Uncle They Never Knew

By Kevin M. Hymel on 8/26/2026

During World War II, 20-year-old U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Henry “Harry” Younge enjoyed playing his trumpet for his B-29 bomber crew during bombing missions from Guam to Japan. His trumpet skills even landed him a performance on the radio show “Time to Smile,” which was scheduled to broadcast live from Guam on April 24, 1945. Unfortunately, Younge was never able to share a single note with his fellow Americans.

Kevin M. Hymel

“What a Marine Should Be”: Lt. Gen. William Keys Led Marines in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War

By Kevin M. Hymel on 8/24/2026

Three V-22 Osprey aircraft roared over Arlington National Cemetery as a final salute to U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. William Keys. More than 100 people attended Keys’ funeral service on July 20, 2026. The full military funeral honors with escort service included a 15-gun salute from the Presidential Salute Battery, a Marine displaying a three-star flag, a caisson detachment, a riderless horse and a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace.” 

Kevin M. Hymel

Hundreds Gather to Bid a Final Farewell to Cold Warrior

By Kevin M. Hymel on 8/19/2026

U.S. Army Gen. David M. Maddox was a true Cold Warrior. He entered the Army as the nation heightened its efforts in Vietnam and retired shortly after the Soviet Union dissolved. As a testament to his service, both Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine and U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve attended his funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, with full military funeral honors with escort, on Aug. 18, 2026. 

Kevin M. Hymel

N.C. Courage Women’s Soccer Team Pays Tribute to the Fallen at Arlington National Cemetery

By Kevin M. Hymel on 8/10/2026

Players and staff of the North Carolina Courage women’s professional soccer team visited Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 7, 2026, to honor the country’s fallen by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Kevin M. Hymel

Missing U.S. Army Soldier From the “Frozen Chosin” Returned Home

By Kevin M. Hymel on 8/3/2026

The warm summer temperature, green grass and blue sky at Arlington National Cemetery on July 14, 2026, were a stark contrast from North Korea’s snow-covered hills east of the Chosin Reservoir — where, in December 1950, U.S. Army Sgt. DeLoren D. Dage lost his life during one of the most brutal battles in history, remembered as the Battle of the Frozen Chosin. Dage had been holding the line against numerically superior Chinese communist forces that had surrounded his unit and were trying to destroy it. The Chinese were not taking prisoners. Dage was declared missing in action on Dec. 2. He was only 20 years old.  

Kevin M. Hymel

Navy Officer Who Charted USS Thresher Wreckage Interred

By Kevin M. Hymel on 7/31/2026

U.S. Navy Lt. Raymond Stoetzer was completing his master’s degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on April 10, 1963, when he learned that the USS Thresher, a nuclear submarine, had sunk about 220 miles east of Cape Cod, with all 129 men on board. It was the worst submarine disaster in U.S. Navy history. Two weeks later, Stoetzer was sent to the fleet tug USS Allegheny as part of the Navy’s crew searching for the submarine’s wreckage.  

Kevin M. Hymel