Posted on 10/28/2002 5:33:01 AM PST by gunnyg
October 25, 2002
Pentagon to Test Digital Taps Device
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 12:05 p.m. ET
WASHINGTON (AP) --
The Pentagon, chronically short of musicians to play taps at military funerals, is going to test the use of a new ``push button'' bugle that can be operated by an honor guard member.
A small digital audio device inserted into the bell of the bugle plays a rendition of taps that the Pentagon says is ``virtually indistinguishable'' from a live bugler. The person using the bugle merely pushes a button and holds the bugle to his or her lips. ``
In addition to the very high quality sound, it provides a dignified `visual' of a bugler playing taps, something families tell us they want,'' said John M. Molino, a deputy assistant secretary of defense who announced the innovation Thursday.
The Pentagon has been struggling for years to cope with its shortage of musicians for funerals. Families of honorably discharged veterans are entitled to a two-person uniformed funeral honor guard, the folding and presentation of the U.S. flag and a rendition of taps.
With the bugler shortage in mind, Congress passed a law that took effect in January 2000 and allows a recorded version of taps using audio equipment if a live horn player is not available. Molino said the push-button bugle is a ``dignified alternative'' to prerecorded taps played on a stereo or compact disc player.
The ceremonial bugle will not be used when a military musician is available, he said. The Pentagon plans to start a six-month test of the ceremonial bugle in Missouri on Nov. 7. Fifty of the new bugles will be distributed to military units and other authorized providers of funeral honors, such as veterans' organizations. Comments from family members will be assessed before the Pentagon decides whether to expand the program.
The original rendition of taps was composed during the Civil War, in July 1862, when a wounded Union general, Daniel Adams Butterfield, directed brigade bugler Oliver Wilcox Norton to honor his 600 troops who died in the battle by playing some notes he had written on the back of an envelope. The piece was soon adopted throughout the military. In 1874, it was officially recognized by the Army, and it became standard at military funerals in 1891.
^------ On the Net:
http://www.defenselink.mil
"There should be a human being playing taps at every military funeral!"
I agree. Only problem is, there are a lot of funerals these days (especially of WW II-era vets), and there are only so many people who know how to play the instrument properly. Playing the bugle properly is simply not a skill that the average joe on the street has. I would much prefer that the guy holding the bugle sound notes that at least resemble Taps, even if there is some digital trickery involved, then to have a "real human" struggling to play some sort of hideous caterwauling that sounds like Radar on MASH.
"Using a digital bugle is fake and cheesy!"
Some might say that our honor guard's use of M-14s instead of the authentic cap-and-ball rifles used during the Revolutionary War to fire volleys is also "fake and cheesy." Heck, I've even seen some honor guards use M-16s or AR-15s to fire the volleys.
I've got a titanium and Teflon implant in my left knee courtesy of a drunk driver hitting a car I was in 20 years ago. Since I'm obviously using "fake" means to be able to walk, does that mean that I shouldn't come to a comrade's funeral? After all, I wouldn't be here at all today if my accident had happened during the Revolutionary War - there were no trauma centers then and the medical care of the day was haphazard at best.
In my mind, its the thought that counts in this case. And, if an honor guard has to use digital assistance to help honor a departed comrade, then I say good for them.
I don't see the problem here....
That's the problem!
OK. Then tell me why I'm FOS and why you apparently believe these "digital bugles" are a bad thing. I really want to know.
And some people wonder why it's called the Puzzle Palace.
A perfect example of how good humor should always contain an element of truth.
In my mind, its the thought that counts in this case
I agree that the main thing is to honor the person who died, and his service to his country. having said that, *my* preference would be for a pimply faced 18 year old struggling to squawk out the notes. When my girlfriend's father died, he had an honor gaurd. young E2s/3s, nervous, little fumble fingered...but they stood ram-rod straight, and acted with dignity and respect.
The bugler didn't do a *great* job, but he got it out. I found it very touching, and the fact that the kids were just regular grunts, and *not* remf "honor guard" types seemed appropriate to me. The young sending off the old...
my $.02
I understand that some others...
may indeed have differing opinions from mine--perhaps even the majority.
But, that's as far as it can go w/me--these are opinions only! We're all entitled to our opinions as far as I'm concerned.
Myself, I opt for the real McCoy, and I pass on the varying degrees of phoniness.
It's the old story again of throwing the frog into the pot of boiling water, and having him immediately jump out; or, putting the frog into a nice, relaxing pot of warm water, and gently turning up the heat--until it's too late!
We're, at this stage of the game now, pretty much conditioned to just "choosing" (we think we're still choosing) the lesser of evils and taking pride in our "wise" decisions.
__________________ *****
Semper Fidelis
R.W. "Dick" Gaines
GySgt USMC (Ret.)
1952-72
Gunny G's Sites & Forums
Anyone who's learned how to play any brass instrument can pick up a bugle, absolutely cold, and play a passable "taps". With a month or two of practice, part time, he can play an excellent "taps". It's hard to believe they can't find enough men in the military who have played the trumpet.
Sure wish we could get a few of those. While I have heard first-rate musicians playing the bugle, I've heard little better than caterwauling from more than a few of the buglers that work our honor guard's funerals.
With a month or two of practice, part time, he can play an excellent "taps". It's hard to believe they can't find enough men in the military who have played the trumpet.
I was a band geek in high school; everybody wanted to play the clarinet because they were fairly cheap and easy to learn, and weren't as heavy as some instruments (baritone sax, for example, like I carried).
It would be nice if we could supply a warm body with a bugle for every funeral we work. But sometimes there just aren't enough to go around (depending on how many funerals are scheduled on a particular day).
If it came down to a choice between dragooning every cook and maintenance tech with former band experience into honor units and training them how to perform their "real" MOSes, I'd probably go with the latter. In the military, being part of a ceremonial detachment is considered a great honor, and I really don't want to see "PVT Joe S*** the Ragman" in a wrinkled uniform in public performing this important duty.
(shrug)
Your call, and your privilege. Have a nice day.
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