Local Resident Plans Bugle Tribute for September 11 Victims

On the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, McLean resident Ted Smith will pay tribute to the victims by playing Taps at four locations in Falls Church and McLean.

At 8:46 a.m., the precise time when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, Smith will play Taps at Haycock Elementary School in Falls Church. 

At 9:03 a.m., marking the time when United Flight 175 flew into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, Smith will play his bugle at Longfellow Middle School in Falls Church

At 9:40 a.m., he will play the song at "in honor of all the military and civilians killed as American Flight 77 struck the Pentagon."

And finally at 10:06 a.m., Smith will play Taps for the last time at the McLean Volunteer Fire Station to mark the time when United Flight 93 crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pa.

In a public letter to the community, Smith, a volunteer for Bugles Across America, wrote, "After sounding the final Taps, I will play a verse of America The Beautiful as a way of remembering all of the innocent citizens that perished as a result of these horrific attacks, and also for those that have since sacrificed their lives for the freedoms that we Americans must never take for granted."