[TPIN] TAPS (was "Funeral disaster")

[Orion Development Corp - D. Arndt]

How many players on this list participate in the "Buglers Across America" program?  I've thought about it, but just can't muster the extra time - between regular work, playing schedule, and family duties.

(From the time I was in 7th grade, until I graduated High School, I got pulled from class periodically to play Taps for the VFW at funerals of Vets in our area - anthracite coal region, PA - near Ashland, Frackville, Pottsville...   Also played Taps at a dozen different cemetaries on every Memorial Day mornings - the guys from the VFW would pick me up at 6:00am, we would do the rounds, ending with the local parade, and then a final Taps at the concluding ceremony.   Good memories, good service.   The stories from some of the WWI Vets - there were many back then, in the early 1970's - were fascinating.)

- Dave Arndt

On Tue, 6 May 2008 16:23:48 -0700 (PDT), Rich Willey wrote
> ----- Original Message ---- 
> Subject: RE: [TPIN] Funeral disaster 
> 
> Air Force days... 
> Got lost on the way to the funeral somewhere way back in the woods in rural Alabama.  Was getting nervous because I knew I was going to be late.  Dirt road... thick woods.... I heard the first round of fire way off in the distance.  I pulled over.  Jumped out of the car.  Grabbed my horn and played taps as loud as I possibly could.  Back on base the sgt. in charge of the honor guard said it was the best taps he'd ever heard.  Truly ethereal, and haunting, like it was coming from miles and miles away.  I just smiled. 
> 
> This wasn't a disaster, but when I was in the Army (Ft. Stewart, GA), I got rushed in the General's private plane (prop) to a funeral somewhere near Tampa that was supposed to have been covered by the guys from MacDill AFB. I flew down in my Class A's, there was a car waiting for me at the landing strip, and they drove me straight to the funeral.