
Broadway part of 'Taps Across America'
Tyler Green, a student at Southern Lee High School, played the symbolic melody at the North Carolina Veterans Memorial precisely at 3 p.m. as part of a national program titled 'Taps Across America.'
The Private John Grady chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted the program and provided a brief program beforehand.
'Taps Across America is a nationwide effort at 3 p.m. in each time zone on Memorial Day, musicians are encouraged to step mouton their porch, to go to the cemetery or a memorial and play Taps,' Carolyn Comfort of the Private John Grady D.A.R. chapter said.
During the ceremony, Stacy Nooning, also from the Private John Grady Chapter offered a Memorial Day prayer.
Comfort then shared a poem, 'Born on the Fourth of July,' about her brother Jack, who was killed in Vietnam on Jan. 2, 1968.
'Even though the poem is about Jack, I think it applies to many families across this country in all of our conflicts,' she said.
Comfort said her aunt wrote the poem about six years after Jack was killed in the Vietnam War. She said her family had shared the poem at other Memorial Day programs.
'I think it speaks to all of your fallen warriors,' she said.
Following the poem, Green raised his trumpet to his lips and played the mournful tune as veterans saluted.
'Taps' is a bugle call sounded to signal 'lights out' at the end of a military day and during patriotic memorial ceremonies and military funerals conducted by the United States Armed Forces.
Taps Across America is a nationwide tribute dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of our fallen military heroes. Founded in 2020 by retired Air Force bugler Jari Villanueva, Co-Founder of Taps for Veterans, this powerful tradition began as a way to bring Americans together during the pandemic. Instead of parades and public ceremonies, thousands of musicians—professional and amateur alike—took to their front porches and local landmarks to sound Taps in unison.
More than 10,000 musicians participated in the inaugural tribute, and the movement continues to grow. Members of the John Grady Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hope to continue that tradition in Lee County as well.
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In terms of functionality, backless designs like mules and slides boast convenience and air flow, but often at the cost of support and a secure fit. Opting for a moccasin-, clog-, or loafer-style slipper might be better suited for heat retention and extended wear, especially beyond the confines of home. Look at the materials Appearances aside, the materials used in slippers have implications for their comfort and durability. While suede uppers can provide an elevated style, they're vulnerable to water damage if worn outside. If you're primarily after a pair to cozy up on the couch with, more breathable materials like wool or shearling and a softer sole could be ideal. For an outdoor slipper, I look for a rubber outsole with treads that can provide the necessary traction while protecting the lining and upper material from the ground. 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Whether you plan to wear socks with slippers should also factor into your decision on sizing. Given the more relaxed nature of slippers, sizing up if you're between sizes may be a safer bet for getting the right fit. What are the warmest slippers for cold feet for men? The North Face Thermoball Mule V's proved to be the warmest slippers on our list, as they are designed with parka-like insulation and fleece-lined heel cuffs to trap in heat. They're also geared for indoor and outdoor use. If you're after warm outdoor slippers, look for wool or water-resistant synthetic materials that won't lose their insulating capabilities if they get wet. For indoor use, faux-fur linings can also deliver warmth, but often at the cost of breathability. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure contributor, Kevin Brouillard, is based in upstate New York, where he spends most of the year dressed for comfort in the cold. His work has been published in TripSavvy, Jetsetter, and Oyster. For this story, he used his firsthand experience with several of the brands on this list, including Glerups and The North Face, plus T+L testing insights to compile this list of the best men's slippers. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.