First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon will once again participate in the national “Taps Across America” observance this Memorial Day, inviting the public to gather on May 25 at 3 p.m. for a moment of remembrance honoring fallen U.S. service members.
The ceremony will take place near the church’s flagpole at 500 Farragut Circle in El Cajon and will feature a live performance of “Taps,” the traditional bugle call associated with military funerals and memorial services. Several veterans are expected to attend, and Heidi McKinley, deacon moderator, will offer brief remarks along with a short prayer.
For trumpet player Dennis McKinley, the observance is national in scope and personal in meaning.
“What inspires me to play ‘Taps’ at First Pres El Cajon is the ability to reach a larger audience,” Dennis McKinley said. “When I began playing Taps, it was during COVID in 2020, and I played in my driveway.”
He said neighbors first learned of the performances after his wife, Heidi, shared a notice on the Nextdoor app. As a member of the church, McKinley said he recognizes the presence of veterans within the congregation and feels a responsibility to honor those who died in service.
McKinley also plays in memory of his mother’s first husband, a Naval aviator killed in a 1945 training accident over Lake Michigan while flying an Avenger torpedo bomber.
“The massive loss was unbearable, but she persevered,” he said.
He added that live performances of “Taps” carry a deeper meaning than recorded versions often used in memorial settings.
“I feel the very least we can do is pause for a few moments at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day and hear a live presentation of ‘Taps,’ the most solemn American bugle call,” McKinley said.
The ceremony will remain simple and reflective. McKinley’s wife, Heidi McKinley, will offer brief remarks and a prayer, and several veterans will be present. Community members are encouraged to attend, bring lawn chairs, and bring photographs of loved ones who served.
