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When Sean Guess brought his grandfather, Harrison Wright, to a mobile booth in Austin, he asked about Harrison’s service during World War II.
Harrison was drafted in early 1943 and soon after shipped out to Europe. He played the bugle in his unit, and, at the end of the war, he was called upon for a special assignment.
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Related Pieces
Piece Description
When Sean Guess brought his grandfather, Harrison Wright, to a mobile booth in Austin, he asked about Harrison’s service during World War II.
Harrison was drafted in early 1943 and soon after shipped out to Europe. He played the bugle in his unit, and, at the end of the war, he was called upon for a special assignment.
Broadcast History
NPR's Morning Edition 5/25/12
Transcript
Harrison Wright (HW): I was an 18 year-old boy and I was drafted. Went from England, France, Belgium, Germany…and uh, I blew the bugle, in our outfit.
If a young man is killed in action or dies defending his country, you blow “Taps” over his grave. And it just…there’s no way to describe it. The emotion that you feel, knowing that those notes is going out.
And I remember, the war was over, just a few days…and they asked me to blow “Taps” for all who died in the war. We climbed this high hill. It was like a mountaintop. And my battalion was at the bottom. I blew those “Taps” and, when I did…the men said it…floated out across all that valley. And said it was beautiful.
They were all telling me how good it sounded and what a tribute it was, to our fallen comrades.
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:Time now for StoryCorps… recording the memories of people across the country…
On this Friday before Memorial Day… we'll hear from a veteran of World War Two.
Harrison Wright served in the Army in Europe…
And at StoryCorps... he told his grandson about being sent on a special assignment... at the end of the war.
OUTRO:Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taps | The American Military Band | Music of the US Armed Forces. | Documentary Recordings | 1996 | 01:00 |
Additional Credits
Capella University
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