East County News Service
May 15, 2026 (El Cajon) — East County residents can unite with thousands of communities across the country this Memorial Day for a synchronized musical tribute honoring the United States’s fallen service members.
The First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon will host a live local observance as part of Taps Across America, a nationwide initiative that brings musicians and citizens together to mark the National Moment of Remembrance.
Guests should arrive early as the gathering will take place at 3 p.m. sharp, Monday, May 25 near the flagpole at the church at 500 Farragut Circle in El Cajon.
The centerpiece of the brief, solemn ceremony will be a live performance of “Taps.” At exactly 3 p.m. local time, thousands of buglers, trumpeters and military veterans from all 50 states will simultaneously sound the haunting 24-note melody from front porches, national cemeteries, monuments and peace memorials.
The national event was originally conceived in 2020 by retired Air Force bugler and military historian Jari Villanueva. Launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as a safe way to honor the fallen when traditional parades were canceled, the grassroots movement has grown into a powerful annual Memorial Day tradition.
The timing aligns with the National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress in 2000, which asks Americans to pause for one minute at 3 p.m. to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday.
Organizers are encouraging community members to make the observance personal. Attendees are welcome to bring photographs of family members or friends who served in the military and have passed away, creating a visual wall of remembrance during the ceremony.
Because seating at the flagpole is limited, those planning to attend are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.
For more information about the event, call the church office at (619) 442-2583, send an email to office@firstpres-elcajon.org or visit the church’s website at www.firstpres-elcajon.org.