Local Military Bugler To Perform At WWI Memorial In Washington D.C.

Lake of the Ozarks veteran Mike McCain will sound Taps in Washington, D.C. at the National WWI Memorial & Museum on June 3, 2026.

McCain, 78, is the Sunrise Beach Honor Guard Bugler for American Legion Zach Wheat Post No. 624. He served in the Army National Guard and Reserves Military Police from 1970 to 1976 in Iowa and Missouri. He will perform the 24-note call at 4:30 p.m., EST.

Mike Mcain 2.jpg — Zack Wheat Post No. 624 Honor Guard Bugler Mike McCain plays ‘Taps’ at a Veterans Day Memorial in 2025 at the post in Sunrise Beach.
John Roach

The WWI Memorial was dedicated on April 16, 2021. The inscription on the memorial states, “We were young, they say, we have died, remember us.”

Through this memorial, a grateful nation honors the service, valor, courage, and sacrifice of the 4.7 million American sons and daughters who served in the great war.

WWI Memorial Doughboy Foundation.jpg — The National World War I Memorial in the District of Columbia.
Doughboy Foundation

A dedicated staff of buglers, dressed in WWI uniforms, sound Taps daily at 5 p.m. McCain is a sponsor of this event, and his request to perform the song was granted.

McCain will either use a trumpet or bugle that belonged to Ralph Cain during his WWI service in France as part of an Army Band. Ralph was the uncle of Pete Hayden, who grew up and went to school in Iowa near McCain. Hayden, who was a doctor with a medical practice in Camdenton, gave McCain the trumpet and bugle that belonged to Ralph. Both instruments have since been refurbished.

Historic Bugle.jpg — The instrument that once belonged to World War I Army Bugler Ralph Cain, and was gifted to Zack Wheat Post No. 624 Honor Guard Bugler Mike McCain.
John Roach

The Doughboy Foundation, which supports programs and activities that educate the public about America’s participation in WWI, heard the story of Ralph's instruments and that McCain is the Post 624 bugler. The foundation was happy to invite him to sound Taps.

McCain will dedicate this service in honor of his father, Gene McClain, who served in the Army Combat Engineers from 1942 to 1945 in Europe during WWII.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," McCain said. "My family and I are very excited to be a part."

McCain, his wife Lee Ann, and their 16-year-old granddaughter Paige will travel by car to Washington, D.C. a few days ahead of the event. McCain's son and Paige’s parents will join them for the event.

For the last 13 years, McCain has been a member of Post 624. He has played Taps at hundreds of military funerals as a final farewell and remberance.

“It is very important to honor our service members that have passed away with military honors,” McCain said. “The post provides excellent support to our local veterans.”

Information about the memorial and a live stream of the sounding of ‘Taps’ is available at https://doughboy.org/. A virtual exploration of the memorial, including a view of A Soldier's Journey, is also available on the website.