Staff writer
Larry Cushenbery was scheduled to play ‘Taps’ on his antique bugle today at a series of remembrance ceremonies in memory of those lost in terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
A couple more stops were added to his schedule this year due to the somber and stirring reception his performance received after he played his trombone for students and staff at USD 410 last year.
Cushenbery was scheduled to start the remembrance ceremonies in Hillsboro Memorial Park at 7:46 a.m. His second stop was Hillsboro Elementary School at 8:03 a.m., followed by Hillsboro High School at 8:37 a.m.
He also was scheduled to make an appearance at the Marion County Courthouse at 9:10 a.m. and give a final performance at the Marion County Sheriff Office at 9:15 a.m.
Cushenbery marched toward a flagpole and played ‘Taps’, after which was a moment of silence at each location.
The times coincide with times two airplanes flew into the World Trade Center and one crashed into the Pentagon. Another time is in remembrance of Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania, and the final service is in memory of all the veterans and emergency workers lost in the line of duty.
Hillsboro Fire Department was scheduled to be present with its new fire engine at each stop.
Cushenbery is part of the Wichita Fire Department honor guard.
“About 340 firefighters were lost on 9/11,” Cushenbery said. “That is almost 10 percent of the total loss, which was about 3,000.”
To put the size and gravity of the loss in perspective, Cushenbery said he tells people that there are about the same number of fire fighters serving in the Wichita fire department as those firefighters lost due to 9/11 and the aftermath.