Posted on 03/28/2013 5:23:33 PM PDT by Kaslin
I remember as a kid going to a veteran’s funeral at the same cemetery where my brother is buried. The bugler would play a line then another bugler off in the woods would answer. It sounded like a full echo. It was chilling but awesome.
You had no shame in not serving due to medical issues but with your skills you can serve our vets now if you can.
I read in a local paper a few years back that they were having trouble finding a bugler, and one of the solutions was to have a Boy Scout do the honors. That is, if they could find one who could play one. Also, they were considering, or had considered using band students from high schools or colleges to play them for the military funerals! They may have got some to do it, and for a minimal fee, if nothing! Also, the youngsters are happy and honored to do it!
I’m wondering if they ever considered asking a band student from a high school or college, or a kid from a Boy Scout/Girl Scout troop who could play well? I read in a local paper awhile back that they had considered it, or did have a band student play, and they were honored and happy to do it!
Having conducted many funerals, and having done some with inadequate buglers, I can say that I do acknowledge the effort and dedication of some who have attempted to do Taps justice at a critical moment in the lives of the family of a deceased veteran.
I can also say that the ability to do the piece justice is important. Wrong notes, weak notes, inadequate notes all combine to marginalize the intent of the honors being paid. If it’s going to be done, it needs to be done very well.
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