I was a trumpet player in the US Army 1st Cavalry Division Band and have played Taps at many funerals. While waiting for a family to arrive for the burial, I've had plenty of time to think about those 24 notes. I've felt it an honor to provide just a small part of the tribute to the person and their family.

I spent much time walking cemeteries while reading headstones and markers. They say so little about the person they represent. I found one family of five in a small cemetery in Texas that had the same death date back in the 1880's. I have thought so much about that family since. Who were they, how did they get there, why the same death date?

I feel Find a Grave can help answer some of those questions. People should know and understand who they are. I do add memorials as I run across them but I spend most of my time trying to link family members and adding missing information about them. Thanks to everyone who have helped me with that effort.

As far as my family goes. I'm related to many many people in Dickson, Montgomery, and Stewart Counties of Tennessee. My first Davidson's were in Montgomery County in 1797. I like to say I don't have a family tree, but a Family Grapevine. My primary families are Davidson, Crues, Bentley, Sensing, Spann, Stacy, Hayes, Hunter and anyone on those tree limbs. I also watch for my wife's family from Tennessee/Arkansas; Myers/Moyers, Evans, Corbett, and Cook.

I got my interest in genealogy from my mom, Mamie Crues Davidson. Three people helped provide my initial data, mom, Jack Bowker and Donald (Duck) Davidson. They did most of their research before the internet and computers.