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Woman plays taps to honor veterans for 40 years

"I didn't get to serve in the military but I get to do this for the military to honor those people who have fallen or passed away."

FENTRESS COUNTY — The sound of the taps echo through the streets as Cheryl Crabtree plays the unmistakable notes on her trumpet.

"It means a lot to me," said Crabtree. "It’s very special."

Crabtree's mother would not let her join the military when she was younger. She thought it was too dangerous. She has now spent the past four decades saying thank you to the men and women who did serve and paid the ultimate price.

"I didn't get to serve in the military but I get to do this for the military to honor those people who have fallen or passed away," said Crabtree. "I never served a day, but I feel this is kind of like taking that space because I have done this now for almost 40 years."

Crabtree has played taps at thousands of memorials and funerals around Fentress County and East Tennessee. Her instrument provides a solemn soundtrack to remember the fallen.

"It signifies a tally to me of somebody paying a price," said Frank Mullinix of American Legion Post 137. "From the sound of that very first note, until that lingering last note as it ricochets off the valley, it's really moving."

She may not be a veteran, but Cheryl Crabtree understands the sacrifices made by those who served.

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