That’s quite a bugle.

This undated image shows the camp bugler at Fort Miles during World War II. The military uses bugles to signify the beginning and end of the day, call for troop formation and signal meal times, among other calls.

The character Radar famously used a bugle to assemble the troops on the TV show “M*A*S*H.” The bugle is also often used to play taps at military funerals. 

According to an article on the U.S. Army website, bugle calls have been an important tradition for the Army since its inception, dating back to pre-Revolutionary War times. Installations around the world use bugle calls to pay tribute to the American flag, and as a reminder of the sacrifices soldiers make every day.

Fort Miles has a long history at Cape Henlopen. With war looming in Europe, military officials established Fort Miles in 1941 to defend the mouth of the Delaware Bay. The fort remained in operation in some form until 1991, when it was fully decommissioned.

Today, the Fort Miles Historical Association shares personal stories of defending coastal Delaware by U.S. military forces and civilians, and how their actions shaped and influenced community life in Delaware. That history was on display April 22 at the association’s annual Delaware Defense Day, when the fort comes alive with reenactors, retired military vehicles and equipment, and artillery demonstrations.