A special episode from Arlington National Cemetery and JBMHH with Stephen Regec

 

In partnership with Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall, Fort Myer, Virginia Standing in quiet dignity beside Arlington National Cemetery, the Old Post Chapel at Fort Myer has long been a place of solace, remembrance, and sacred ceremony. For generations, its walls have given witness to final honors, weddings, worship, and moments of reflection for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families. Every service held within the chapel represents the nation's most profound gratitude for those who have served with courage, honor, and devotion.

At the heart of the Old Post Chapel stands its magnificent pipe organ, a voice that has accompanied countless ceremonies for nearly a century. The organ was originally built in 1935 by the M. P. Möller Company of Hagerstown, Maryland, the same year the chapel was dedicated. Its tonal design was created by Richard O. Whitelegg, Möller's Tonal Director and an English immigrant who previously served as lead voicer for the esteemed Willis Organ Firm in England.

In the late 1950s, the Tellers Organ Company replaced the console and made tonal adjustments. Then, in 2001, the Allen Organ Company modernized the instrument with a custom-designed console, new digital additions, and digital interfaces for the original Möller pipes. This upgrade also introduced a floating Positiv division, digital pedal stops, and a Trompette Militaire voice playable from all manuals, expanding the organ's versatility while preserving its historic core.

In 2024, after decades of heavy use, the organ once again required significant attention. Lewis and Hitchcock, Inc., of Maryland, undertook a comprehensive rebuild in partnership with the Walker Technical Company, constructing a new console, installing Walker digital stops, and refining the pipework.

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