From Long Island Sound to state line, taps to echo along Housatonic River

SHELTON — The pandemic may have canceled the parades, but thanks to some area American Legion members, the country’s fallen soldiers will be remembered this Memorial Day.

Musicians from throughout the area are teaming with their respective American Legion districts to participate in Memorial Day taps along the Housatonic River.

Teams consisting of a musician — in some cases a bugler — to play taps and a veteran to render a military salute during the interlude will be spaced at points about one mile apart on the river from the Long Island Sound to the Massachusetts state line. The goal is to create a continuous echo of taps along the Housatonic River.

“This was a way to be together while still being apart,” said American Legion Post 16 Sergeant at Arms Mike Kellett. “We can still observe Memorial Day … honor our dead … but still maintain social distancing.”

The first taps will sound on the Shelton-Derby line at 10 a.m. with echo taps at 10:01 a.m. The song lasts about 59 seconds. The following taps and echo will be played every 60 seconds, flowing north toward Massachusetts and south toward the Sound.

In Fairfield County, Kellett said, 33 musicians are planned for 33 locations from Long Island Sound up to the Route 133 bridge at the Brookfield/Bridgewater town line. Most will be partnered with a veteran.

Kellett said American Legion members from three different Posts have worked together to bring the tribute to the ears of residents all along the Housatonic.

“This fills a void by the parades not happening … bigger ceremonies not happening,” said Kellett, lamenting the cancellation of the annual Derby-Shelton parade and traditional laying of the wreath which gathers hundreds of people each year.

“We are honoring those veterans, those departed veterans … those who offered their lives in service to the country. They paid the ultimate sacrifice,” added Kellett.

The idea sprang from recent “buddy visits” during which veterans meet fellow housebound vets. Kellett said what he kept hearing was that, with the COVID-19 pandemic shuttering gatherings such as parades, more needed to be done to remember those who sacrificed all for the country.

Legion members first sought buglers, but with the magnitude of the effort and the limited number of such performers, the door was opened to all musicians. Kellett said that allowed those who desperately wanted to be a part of the event to contribute their musical talents.

“The concern was we would not be able to honor the day,” said Donna Monteleone, senior vice commander of Newtown American Legion Post 202. “It is important, even in these difficult times, that we do not lose our traditions.”

Monteleone, a marching band parent, said when she heard the idea of taps along the Housatonic River, she was immediately on board.

“To be able to do something unique, while still being aware of all the health concerns, and honor the day … it is exciting,” said Monteleone, whose son, a saxophone player, will be performing at one of the eight locations in Newtown.

Monteleone said she has had many musicians come forward to volunteer for the event, including the Fadus father and son musician team . The son, Paul Fadus, will play trumpet, and his father, Charles Fadus, a 94-year-old World War II U.S. Navy veteran who served on the USS Dover, will play the valve trombone.

“This is the perfect solution,” said Monteleone. “We are able to keep the tradition and do something special … and we were able to reach to so many more people than we might have been able in the past. This is going to be an incredible way to honor these men and women.”