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Marine Bandsman Renders Final Honors for Rct-5's Fallen

by Lance Cpl. Bryan Eberly

Sgt. Tarrell D. Jiles knows the somber, solemn power behind "Taps." He's rendered the final honors for fallen Marines and sailors nearly a dozen times during his tour here and close to 200 times for other occasions.

Sgt. Tarrell D. Jiles bellows out 'Taps' at a recent memorial at Camp Fallujah's Chapel of Hope. Jiles, a lead trumpeter for the 1st Marine Division Band andassigned to Headquarters Company, Regimetnal Combat Team 5, has played the final honors for fallen Marines nearly a dozen times here and more than 200 times on other occassions. (photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Eberly)

The 23-year-old trumpeter with the 1st Marine Division Band performs "Taps" at memorial services for Regimental Combat Team 5 on Camp Fallujah. The soft, slow, and solemn notes from his trumpet fill silent chapels, rendering final honors to fallen Marines.

"You're out there for them," he said. "Honoring somebody who's actually gone out."

"He's the best bugler I have, by far," said Gunnery Sgt. Jayme D. Dalberg, the 32-year-old Headquarters Company gunnery sergeant and small ensemble leader for the band, from Chicago. "He takes the most pride in what he does. He works the hardest at what he does."

Since band members have extra duties when they aren't performing, Jiles also serves as Camp Grizzly's billeting manager, for Headquarters Company, RCT-5, for living area on Camp Fallujah. He handles the maintenance, cleanliness and comfort of the living area. When he's not holding a trumpet and performing his respects, he's holding a drill and fixing broken doors.

Jiles earned both jobs because Headquarters Company needed a hard-working sergeant to run the billeting office, as well as one who could be a memorial service trumpeter, Dalberg said.

"It just makes sense to have Sgt. Jiles, being a bugler and a hard-charging sergeant, run the billeting office," he said. "Two birds, one stone."

Jiles' passion for playing the trumpet started when he was in middle school. He entered the school band to escape the hard life that surrounded him.

"I grew up in a foster home that was not the greatest of settings," he said. "Senior year rolled around and things still hadn't gotten any better, though I was still in the band."

It was at then that Jiles auditioned for the Marine Corps band and made it. The Corps provided him the opportunity to escape a bad situation and enter a positive one in which he still had music, he said.

"Long story short, I went to boot camp and never looked back," he said.

Jiles performed his first memorial service in Camp Pendleton, Calif., at the Marine Memorial Chapel in October 2003.

"I didn't want to ruin it," he added in reference to how nervous he was. "Cause it's a big deal; last thing that the family wants to hear before their son is put to rest."

Since then he has performed around 200 services, including special events. In February 2005, Jiles played "Taps" at the second annual memorial service for former President Ronald. W. Reagan at the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.

Jiles did "an awesome job as usual," said Staff Sgt. Michael J. Maschmeier, the 32-year-old Headquarters Company Security Platoon sergeant and euphonium player in the band, from Eureka, Mo.

"He always does a good job," Maschmeier said. "Sgt. Jiles is one of the trumpet players we can rely on to be professional and do the right thing in the situations like that"

Jiles was more than proud to play the service, he said.

"Not many people would get to play taps for a president, more or less someone who's widely respected within the Marine Corps," he said

Jiles has also played for two Pearl Harbor Survivor Ceremonies in Oceanside, Calif., and at the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Mo., for the 1st Marine Division Association Reunion in August 2005.

On Camp Fallujah, Jiles has performed 12 memorial services with sincere effort each time, he said.

"When playing, it's more than just notes, you have to play music," he said. "Granted, it's not going to be perfect every time, but you have to go in there with the mindset that you're going to make every note count, and play the very best you can."

He knows his playing is appreciated. He's received pats on the back as well as words of gratitude. He's even received the occasional "Wow, that was awesome," he said.

"You see people's reactions," he added. "I've seen someone drop to their knees. People crying and things like that. In some way or another, people will thank you or appreciate what you're doing."

"I've heard nothing but good comments," said Master Sgt. Robert L. Hufford, the 39-year-old band master and security platoon commander from Pleasanton, Calif. "He is an extremely talented trumpet player."

"Never had a problem with Sgt. Jiles," Dalberg said. "He is the man."

He reflects on the somber and yet honorable mood that comes with the music, said Sgt. Justin M. Grunes, a 22-year-old sergeant of the guard and section leader for clarinets with the band, from New Castle, Del.

"Whenever I listen to it, I always reflect on those who have gone before and have made the ultimate sacrifice, and then war is a painful thing," Grunes said.

Sometimes playing for the services can be hard, Jiles said. It can run depressing thoughts through your mind.

"I like to get a program to see their names, or where they're at, how they got there, and then see how their ages are. Most of them are right up there with me," he said. "That's close to home. That could very well be you, or someone you sat right next to in the chow hall."

Jiles tries to clear his mind of those feelings in order to play the respectful tune, he said.

"Start thinking about it too much, I might get clod-minded and not play what I want to play," he said.

Before playing, Jiles takes a deep breath, thinks about what he is playing and then will "just go for it," he said.

Jiles leaves every service with a proud sense of accomplishment, knowing he just paid the highest respects to a fallen fighter, he said.

"He knows the reason "Taps" is being played," Hufford said. "He understands what's going on during the ceremonies, and he plays to that."

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