• FAQ  • Search  • Memberlist  • Usergroups   • Register   • Profile  • Log in to check your private messages  • Log in 

TAPS For Billy



 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    trumpetherald.com Forum Index -> The Lounge
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
nmea2020
New Member


Joined: 23 Dec 2015
Posts: 2
Location: FLORIDA

PostPosted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 2:59 pm    Post subject: TAPS For Billy Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mrhappy
Veteran Member


Joined: 03 Dec 2018
Posts: 371
Location: Port Jackson, NY

PostPosted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 3:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice story!
_________________
MH
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
NOISEMAKER
New Member


Joined: 19 Feb 2018
Posts: 4
Location: Chicago

PostPosted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 6:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good for you, join thr BAA, Bugles Across America.
Every Veteran deserves live Taps.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
WxJeff
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 10 Dec 2002
Posts: 2484
Location: Atlanta GA

PostPosted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 7:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the board.

Heckuva introduction. Good on ya.
_________________
Kanstul F Besson International 800 Bb
Jupiter SCR-520
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
deleted_user_02066fd
New Member


Joined: 03 Apr 1996
Posts: 0

PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 3:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
nmea2020
New Member


Joined: 23 Dec 2015
Posts: 2
Location: FLORIDA

PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 11:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    trumpetherald.com Forum Index -> The Lounge All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group