Large Scale Central

Bugling "Taps" for Veterans Funerals

Other Hobbies
#1

After watching a spot about how there aren’t enough active duty Buglers (only 500 in the various bands) to take care of the federally mandated bugler for veteran’s funerals, I volunteered my services to Bugles Across America to play the bugle at some of those funerals in the local area.

It’s been about 5 years since I played the Horn seriously, so my lip is seriously out of shape, but that will return with practice. As I was running through “Taps” yesterday, my Akita pound puppy decided to join in, singing with me. I wonder, will they consider a duet? :lol: :stuck_out_tongue:

#2

I’m a drummer. They pay me not to… :stuck_out_tongue:

#3

Very good of you to volunteer your time.
One need not be able to play the bugle to volunteer.
Thanks to technology, they have “automatic” bugles that play “Taps”.
Ralph

#4
Ralph Berg said:
Very good of you to volunteer your time. One need not be able to play the bugle to volunteer. Thanks to technology, they have "automatic" bugles that play "Taps". Ralph
In this outfit, those contraptions are not allowed. The thought is that every veteran deserves a live bugler. Another week and I'll be passable.
#5
Steve Featherkile said:
Ralph Berg said:
Very good of you to volunteer your time. One need not be able to play the bugle to volunteer. Thanks to technology, they have "automatic" bugles that play "Taps". Ralph
In this outfit, those contraptions are not allowed. The thought is that every veteran deserves a live bugler. Another week and I'll be passable.
I agree every veteran deserves a live bugler. The "autoplay" bugle was developed out of necessity rather than convienance. They just don't have enough buglers. The shortage is so severe that more funerals nationwide are done using the "contraption". Your service is much needed and will be much appreciated. Ralph
#6

Seems I heard a story…

On a ship, the bugler was awful. The captain said, “If you can’t blow that thing any better than that, you might as well throw it overboard.”

“SIR YES SIR!” And over it went.

#7

Steve, thank you, sir, for your volunteering…

#8

Dear Steve,

Thank you.

Can a non-service person or non-veteran volunteer? Any kind of uniform / dress code / grooming code / minimum age, etc. required?

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

#9

I did about 10-15 a year back when I was in High School. It got to the point that many of the teachers kind of objected to the JROTC Commander dragging me out of classes for the day… especially if they had to make arrangements for me to make up missed tests.

Still, since there is such a shortage, I suggest someone talking to the JROTC , and HS band directors… costs nothing to ask.

(I haven’t touched a horn in 25 years… it would probably sound like someone tormenting geese)

#10

THANKS Steve! I’ve done a few dozen military funerals as honor guard rifleman and flag bearer. There is nothing as moving as a bugler, with or without echo, at the graveside.

My “new” uncle is a retired Navy musician. He has played Taps at over 20,000 funerals. About 4 a week now, but his health is failing.

#11
Joe Satnik said:
Dear Steve,

Thank you.

Can a non-service person or non-veteran volunteer? Any kind of uniform / dress code / grooming code / minimum age, etc. required?

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik


The only requirement is a desire to serve, and the ability to play the 24 notes of TAPS, well. At least well enough to not embarrass yourself. As to dress, just ablut anything respectful goes. The “Prez” of BBA wears his USMC dress blues, with medals, another fellow wears black trousers with a white shirt. Check out the website noted above.

#12

Dear David,

Thanks for your honor gaurd service.

By “echo”, do you mean a natural audio bounce off some structure, or a second bugler playing with a specified delay? (How many fractions of a second, seconds, beats, or measures?)

Joe

Edit: added “Thanks…”

#13
Joe Satnik said:
Dear David,

Thanks for your honor gaurd service.

By “echo”, do you mean a natural audio bounce off some structure, or a second bugler playing with a specified delay? (How many fractions of a second, seconds, beats, or measures?)

Joe

Edit: added “Thanks…”


I have heard an “echo” played by a second bugler two ways, one is the bugler will wait until the first rendition of Taps is played and “echo” the music. The other is after each stanza/line/(?). Either way if you do not get a chill up your spine when you hear this, you must be the one in the coffin.

At the funerals I have been to, often my “new” uncle, Dan, will play Taps and his grand-daughter will play the “echo” standing 200 +/- feet away.

We are in the process of modifying our presentation to attempt to have at least one member dressed, in some way, to represent the branch of service in which the veteran served, in the Honor Guard. Local reserve and active military may and do participate.

#14

From about 16 to the my mid 20s I was the bugler for the local American Legion and VFW. We would visit about a dozen small cemetaries to honor fallen veterns every Memorial Day morning before the big parade. The parade ended in the local large cemetary where we once again honored the fallen veterns. I had forgotten until you guys mentioned it but we did have an echo bugler at the last cemetary.
I also played taps at funeral services 3 or 4 times a year.

Steve, thanks for starting this thread. Brought back some memories. Also, thanks to all for volunteering.

#15

Mr Hill - please explain what a ‘new uncle’ is. As a furriner unfamiliar with the language I’m obviously missing something here.

tac
www.ovgrs.org

#16

Terry,

There has become a very beautiful and emotional rendition of “Taps” played where the entire verse is performed by a Bugler in front of a audience and then a second Bugler repeats the performance from a distance, many times behind the audience. It is truly quite affective. It is performed this way by a local family at our annual Memorial Day Service.

#17
Terry A de C Foley said:
Mr Hill - please explain what a 'new uncle' is. As a furriner unfamiliar with the language I'm obviously missing something here.

tac
www.ovgrs.org


Sorry, it’s nothing. My father’s brother (a WWII veteran) died and my aunt’s friend (also a WWII Navy vet) I refer to as my new uncle.

He plays 100’s of funerals a year. I forget his count, but it’s in the 10’s of thousands.

#18
David Hill said:
Terry A de C Foley said:
Mr Hill - please explain what a 'new uncle' is. As a furriner unfamiliar with the language I'm obviously missing something here.

tac
www.ovgrs.org


Sorry, it’s nothing. My father’s brother (a WWII veteran) died and my aunt’s friend (also a WWII Navy vet) I refer to as my new uncle.

He plays 100’s of funerals a year. I forget his count, but it’s in the 10’s of thousands.


Ah, thank you, Sir. I am now better informed. Apologies for asking a personal question on an open forum.

tac
www.ovgrs.org

#19

I play cymbals in a german Drum and Mallet Corps ! Music is great, really next to Trains. To musically honor the loved who left us is a honorable duty i suppose !
cheers Joe