A local family tradition that’s lasted over seven decades will keep going on Memorial Day.

The Shalla family tradition of playing Taps began when Jim Shalla was 13-years-old in 1947. Along the way, Jim has added three new teammates, his son Tom, and two grandsons, Andrew and Alex. Each has learned the unique skill of playing Taps for military funerals and Memorial Day services. Alex says he feels honored every time he gets the opportunity to perform Taps and takes great pride in being alongside his family while doing so, “It’s something that’s kept a strong bond between my brother, my dad, and my grandpa and I. It’s always been something that we kind of have together and that special bond that we have. Obviously, as we were younger and led less busy lives there was more things we had going regarding music. It really kept us all tied in together and creates that family time where we can play music and have fun.”

Jim retired his trumpet in 2017 after 70 years, but the Shalla taps tradition remains as strong and active as ever.