West Fargo bugler presses for live taps for veterans

A West Fargo woman is collecting petition signatures to persuade the Veterans of Foreign Wars to use a live bugler instead of a recording to play taps at veterans' funerals.

[alexandria davis]

I love our veterans very much and I love serving so much in honor guard. I will do what ever it takes for our veterans. I am currently attending American Military University online and am studying Psychology and military history to help veterans as a career, because they gave so much. I am willing to move anywhere a long-term bugler is needed. Please go to my website at www.honorguardbugler.com

[in the cold]

i would think it's only reasonable to use a recording ONLY if a live bugler is unavailable. sheesh.

[Stormy22]

Why is this under Weird News of the Pi-press? Oh, that right... a liberal media rag like that hates all things Military and those that fought to preserve the same freedoms Main Stream Media tends to disregard.

[MeanandNasty]

I agree with in the cold. Use the recording if a live bugler is unavailable. Our vets deserve all the honors. Thanks for serving, vets.

[Maria Antonia Unplugged]

I don't remember what the event I was watching was, BUT there was an interview with a live bugler who mentioned that in the exceptionally cold weather it was almost impossible to play and that there were not nearly enough buglers regardless. Live would be preferable, obviously, but if it can't be done.......it can't be done.

[DILF]

Would she settle for someone who knew how to play an old rusty trombone?

It may be a happy medium.

[Cindy Stainker]

It seems pretty cold and impersonal to use a recording when these people gave so much to this country, and some lost their lives defending it.

[Retired Military]

As a former servicemember who participated in or has attended many, many...too many, military funerals over a span of forty plus years, I can speak with some knowledge about them.

Finding a competent bugler was always the most difficult part of making sure a military funeral paid proper respect to the deceased. A phonograph or CD was always the very last resort, but sometimes unavoidable.

Technology has actually solved this problem in recent times. There is a bugle available to play "Taps", and only "Taps", that can be "played" by anyone who can push a button. You put the bugle to your lips, push the button and the tune is played flawlessly each and every time. Few people are even aware that it is not a genuine bugle being played.

I am sure a google search could provide a source for this instrument, or go to your local National Guard Armory and ask them to see their automatic bugle. Almost every armory has one or can direct you to one since the National Guard is often called upon to provide military honors for deceased veterans.

Nobody should have to use a phonograph or CD player these days.

[Retired Military]

One click on google found a very good article:

http://ssrdatta.blogspot.com/2006_04_01_archi...

It looks like these have been around for over six years now.

[Retired Military]

a better link: http://www.ceremonialbugle.com/

[alexandria davis]

Here's something for those of you who might be questioning my ability:
United Patriotic BodiesAlex Davis is again reminding all veteran organizations that she is available for bugler duty. West Fargo VFW uses her services and states she is very good....
www.tristateveterans.com/upb/04-28-08.html

[Rob]

There's nothing strange about this. Real, live music is much better to start with. Add to that the need for respect for the honored dead, not some plastic, canned recording that gives us all the fake sense that something of weight has occurred, and I think it's obvious how bad canned taps really are.

[Lorrie]

Just why in the hell is this in "News of the Weird"?
Is it so much to ask that there actually be a real person playing taps at the interment of a veteran? You'd think that was the least the country could do to show its appreciation.
Frankly it is a disgrace that a recording is played.

[Retired Military]

Lorrie wrote:

Just why in the hell is this in "News of the Weird"?
Is it so much to ask that there actually be a real person playing taps at the interment of a veteran? You'd think that was the least the country could do to show its appreciation.
Frankly it is a disgrace that a recording is played.

And just how many people do you know who can play the bugle?

[bee]

A little off topic, but in the same vein. There is a woman who plays Taps every night in The Gettysburg Cemetery. She plays at dusk and will continue for as long as she is able. She has been looking for others to help her but hasn't found anybody the last I heard. I saw her story on TV not long ago. If there is an update to this, I would love to know about it. It is so interesting. I think she personifies respect and dignity. I appreciate her since I am, as so many of us are, a decendent of a Civil War soldier.

[bee]

*descendant

[Rob]

Retired Military wrote:

<quoted text>
And just how many people do you know who can play the bugle?

You know, it's not that hard. Get any high school trumpet player. Hell, I play a reed instrument. But gimme some rinky-dink bugle and I'll learn an acceptable taps in a week or so.

[DILF]

DILF wrote:

Would she settle for someone who knew how to play an old rusty trombone?
It may be a happy medium.

Has anyone thought of this?