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nmea2020 New Member
Joined: 23 Dec 2015 Posts: 2 Location: FLORIDA
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Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 2:59 pm Post subject: TAPS For Billy |
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LB is my Godson and his father Billy recently passed away. On Saturday I attended Billy’s Funeral and at the mass I learned Billy had served Four years in the Army. So as soon as the mass was over I rushed home (ten minutes away and in the opposite direction of the cemetery) to grab my trumpet... I raced over to Holy Cross Cemetery on the other side of town (A good twenty minutes from the church). I thought I had good chance to make there in time because the local sheriff’s office was too busy to provide a proper escort for the funeral procession. I was the last person to arrive at the graveside. I left the horn in my trunk. I walked briskly past some other late arrivals. I purposely positioned myself close to where I thought the military honor guard would be. I was immediately relieved to see what would appear to be a military bugler there to Sound Taps for Billy. I thought he was a real horn player. As time progressed I heard the words “PRESENT ARMS”. I was watching the dress uniformed bugler move the horn and flip what appeared to be a switch inside the bell of the bugle. He put the horn to his lips and nothing…He shook his head... he fiddled with the sound device for a few seconds... I was nearly panicking on the inside. He changed batteries but still nothing. Unfortunately I was parked almost a block away. As this was happening I made discrete contact with the funeral director I told him I have a trumpet and am willing and able. He expressed that they had it under control and told the gathered crowd that there would be a 30 second delay. At some point I didn’t wait for any instructions, I just sprinted to my car, grabbed my horn and sprinted back. I was trying to listen for taps as I was running back. The congregation had their backs to me at graveside. I waved my horn in the air to get the funeral directors attention. The director saw my horn and motioned me to come forward...I stopped ten yards short taking cover under a large Live Oak (Did I mention it was 53 degrees with a light drizzle) I took five seconds to catch my breath and then sounded taps the best I could. As I was playing, incidentally four Chinook Helicopters flew almost directly over the site. I almost choked when I saw them but I stayed focus on the mission. I have sounded Taps a couple of dozen times at Barrancas. It was decent but not my best. It was a lot better than a recording that wasn’t working. Actually it was a recording, a 1965 “Olds Recording” (same year as my birth) Trumpet. I guess I need to start keeping that Jupiter 416 Pocket Trumpet in my car. I thought I’d share this story with folks that might be able to relate. Thank you for taking the time to read this _________________ KING 601SP 1981
OLDS RECORDING 1965
OLDS SPECIAL CORNET 1964
OLDS AMBASSADOR 1975
OLDS AMBASSADOR 1977
OLDS AMBASSADOR CORNET 1975
YAMAHA YFH 6310Z |
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mrhappy Veteran Member
Joined: 03 Dec 2018 Posts: 371 Location: Port Jackson, NY
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Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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Nice story! ![](images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif) _________________ MH |
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NOISEMAKER New Member
Joined: 19 Feb 2018 Posts: 4 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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Good for you, join thr BAA, Bugles Across America.
Every Veteran deserves live Taps. |
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WxJeff Heavyweight Member
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Joined: 10 Dec 2002 Posts: 2485 Location: Atlanta GA
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Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome to the board.
Heckuva introduction. Good on ya. _________________ Kanstul F Besson International 800 Bb
Jupiter SCR-520 |
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deleted_user_02066fd New Member
Joined: 03 Apr 1996 Posts: 0
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Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 3:48 am Post subject: |
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I'm not sure if my story is true. Clark Terry was a veteran having served in the Navy. I read somewhere that at his funeral the Navy sent a digital bugler to play taps! |
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nmea2020 New Member
Joined: 23 Dec 2015 Posts: 2 Location: FLORIDA
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Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 11:07 am Post subject: |
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I sounded Taps at Barrancas a few years back and made sure to notify the Honor Guard Leader that i was going to sound and then when the "PRESENT ARMS" came the Digital Bugler Joined in with me...At least he was in tune.
True story. I was a little put off but never said anything to the poor lad _________________ KING 601SP 1981
OLDS RECORDING 1965
OLDS SPECIAL CORNET 1964
OLDS AMBASSADOR 1975
OLDS AMBASSADOR 1977
OLDS AMBASSADOR CORNET 1975
YAMAHA YFH 6310Z |
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