{"id":856,"date":"2026-05-25T15:03:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T15:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=856"},"modified":"2026-05-25T15:03:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T15:03:31","slug":"oro-valley-air-force-veteran-honors-fallen-heroes-beyond-memorial-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=856","title":{"rendered":"Oro Valley Air Force veteran honors fallen heroes beyond Memorial Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – For 67-year-old retired Air Force pilot James Duprey, honoring America\u2019s fallen isn\u2019t just an annual Memorial Day tradition. Every Saturday, he shows up at the Arizona Heroes Memorial at Naranja Park in Oro Valley to play taps.<\/p>\n

Read more Tucson FREEdge receives Health Department warning over free food distribution<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a weekly promise he has kept since December, missing only two Saturdays to prepare for a hip replacement.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen playing the horn since the fifth grade,\u201d Duprey said. \u201cI said it might be a nice way to commemorate the memory of all of our heroes – living and passed away.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 24-note song lasts about a minute. Traditionally played to signal \u201clights out\u201d and the end of the day, taps is now most commonly associated with military funerals and memorial services.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a time of possible closure, a sign of respect, and proof – whether it\u2019s history or those who serve now – that they too will be remembered for their sacrifice,\u201d Duprey said.<\/p>\n

Sacrifice is not new to Duprey, who spent 20 years on active duty with the Air Force. Service is a family tradition- his father was a World War II Purple Heart recipient, and his brother served as an Air Force pilot for 26 years.<\/p>\n

Read more Officers respond to a serious injury crash in Pima County<\/a><\/p>\n

When Duprey picks up his trumpet each Saturday, he asks himself one question: \u201c\u2018How would I like taps played for me?\u2019 And that\u2019s how I try to play it.\u201d<\/p>\n

On most Saturdays, he plays to an empty park, but says the 24 notes echo beyond the memorial.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey will hear the taps,\u201d Duprey said.<\/p>\n

Duprey plans to be at the Arizona Heroes Memorial Park this Saturday at 5 p.m. and every Saturday after that.<\/p>\n

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