Andy Stanley of Conway plays 'Taps' on bugle during military funerals

The Log Cabin Democrat ^ | 1/1/2004 | Special to the Log Cabin

[Sokol]

Andy Stanley of Conway plays 'Taps' on bugle during military funerals

Special to the Log Cabin

Andy Stanley, 15-year-old son of Mackey and Ron Stanley of Conway, volunteers in the community in a variety of ways. Among his latest endeavors is playing "Taps" at military funerals.

Dressed in a Boy Scouts of America uniform, Stanley wears a black flight jacket decorated with a medal symbolizing his membership in Bugles Across America, an organization whose mission is to provide buglers for funerals of American soldiers.

Stanley first learned to play the bugle two years ago for Boy Scouts. Last year he discovered "Taps" is played from a portable compact disc player at many military funerals. Recently the Arkansas National Guard purchased bugles with tape recorders inside that play a taped version of the song. Stanley believed that was a disservice to the honorable men and women who had served their country so well.

"I couldn't believe that our military would use a tape recorder of all things," Stanley said. "To use a trumpet rather than the traditional bugle is one thing, but a fake bugle or tape recording is a true disservice to our veterans.

"Playing 'Taps' should be respectful and I just don't think a tape recording is the most respectful thing we can do for our veterans," he continued.

Then Stanley discovered Bugles Across America. Dennis Lockwood, state director for the organization, had written many letters to newspapers across the state, one of which was seen by Stanley, who contacted Lockwood.

"At first, I didn't think they were going to let me do this because of my age," Stanley recalled. "Now that I've started playing and they've discovered that my schedule is more flexible than most adults, I get called more often and that makes me feel great."

Stanley attends a local Montessori school with a flexible schedule that allows him to be available for funerals during the day. He does not charge for his services, although some members do; however, the school does count his hours toward its community service requirements.

"I don't want the families to pay me. This is something I do for my country and for them," Stanley said. "It's a great feeling knowing there's something I can do for our service men and women and their families."

Stanley hopes area funeral directors will contact him if families are in need of his services. In addition, area Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and other service organizations are encouraged to call him when planning for a color guard service.

Stanley is also working with the National Guard to set aside their mechanical bugles and use "the real thing" as long as there is someone available to play.

For more information about Bugles Across America or to request Stanley's services, contact him at www.buglesacrossamerica.org or call 413-7414.

[Sokol]

"I don't want the families to pay me. This is something I do for my country and for them," Stanley said. "It's a great feeling knowing there's something I can do for our service men and women and their families."

Great kid.

[prairiebreeze]

Thanks. I needed to read something nice. This kid more than fits the bill.

Prairie

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I've been wanting to join Bugles Across America for about 2 years now but just have not found the time. I guess I will just go by the bugle and practice Taps.

Then when I get good enough I won't have an any excuse other than I've got to work. Then if I have the day off, problem solved.

[dighton]

Great kid.

Yes.

From Here to Eternity, Taps.

[Positive]

While I was in grammer school, late fifties, early sixties, my (Catholic) school was located a few hundred feet from a cemetery. Frequently Taps could be heard during class time.

While I wasn't old enough to appreciate the significance of the music, it was intrinsically sad. I remember it vididly to this day.

[hillary's_fat_a**]

I hope a "log cabin democrat" isn't what I think it is.

[Professional Engineer]

Way cool

ping

[KantianBurke]

When I go, I'd like everyone to hear this setup please. :>

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I want the singing version. The words sung properly are even more impressive than the bugle version.

[Sokol]

Well, its the local paper here. It seems to be a pretty good paper.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

One of our Boy Scout had the honor of playing Taps at his Grandfather's funeral. There wasn't a dry eye in the place. I don't know how he kept himself together long enough to finish with a single missed note.

He is only 13 and picked up a bugle about 2 years ago. He is a natural. He played Taps on a national televised 9-11 memorial event.

[Libertina]

Oddly enough, at one of our large rallies (4000+) we had some patriotic bagpipe players. In fact, I heard a bagpipe / trumpet duet for the first time...

[Amelia]

Great kid, great story. Thanks!

[Arkinsaw]

They played a tape at my wife's grandfather's funeral. Partway through the tape player messed up and went to 4X speed. It sounded like Alvin and the Chipmunks playing Taps. Embarassing.

[Lazamataz]

What a nice young man.

[katnip]

My friend who was a Marine and served in Vietnam died in October. The American Legion came to the wake, gave a very nice speech and then played Taps on a tape recorder.

No Taps were played at the cemetary but there was a group of soldiers that came and did a beautiful ritual of folding the flag that draped his coffin and then handed it to his wife.

This Bugles Across America sounds like a fantastic idea. I'm going to see if I can get my Tender Foot involved somehow.

[quietolong]

Bugles Across America
http://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/