shiva2999
July 31st, 2007, 7:56:55 PM
Blame it on the rain...
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa070731_mo_buglers.cd78b055.html
Vets turn to technology as buglers on decline
06:09 PM CDT on Tuesday, July 31, 2007
By GARY REAVES / WFAA-TV
Bugles Across America
5/19: Services don't have horns of plenty
DALLAS - America holds 1,800 funerals for veterans every day, and they all have one thing in common.
While playing the bugle is an American tradition, its one that's changing as buglers decrease, which is why many are turning to technology.
As the Gamez family met to pay final respects, they were greeted by four men in crisp red hats and starched white shirts. The men are volunteers from the DFW Honor Guard.
"We do it because we want to do it, because we want to allow these vets to have the honors they deserve," said Bill Martin, and honor guard.
With military precision, they folded the flag that draped the coffin and presented it to the family.
"This flag is presented on behalf of the president of the United States Department of Defense and a grateful nation," Martin said as he kneeled and presented the flag.
Then taps begins to play, which is when the tears begin to fall.
"They definitely want taps played," Martin said. "Almost all the request we get are buglers for taps to be played."
But the two honor guard members who can play the bugle are rarely free to volunteer. In fact, there is a national shortage of buglers, so they turn to a high-tech substitute.
"All I have to do is hit that button and it takes off," Martin said of his electronic bugle.
While to some, the electronic bugle is a tacky substitute, it trumps the alternative.
"We had a boom box, and that's a very unsatisfactory supplement to the service," Martin said.
...more...
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa070731_mo_buglers.cd78b055.html
Vets turn to technology as buglers on decline
06:09 PM CDT on Tuesday, July 31, 2007
By GARY REAVES / WFAA-TV
Bugles Across America
5/19: Services don't have horns of plenty
DALLAS - America holds 1,800 funerals for veterans every day, and they all have one thing in common.
While playing the bugle is an American tradition, its one that's changing as buglers decrease, which is why many are turning to technology.
As the Gamez family met to pay final respects, they were greeted by four men in crisp red hats and starched white shirts. The men are volunteers from the DFW Honor Guard.
"We do it because we want to do it, because we want to allow these vets to have the honors they deserve," said Bill Martin, and honor guard.
With military precision, they folded the flag that draped the coffin and presented it to the family.
"This flag is presented on behalf of the president of the United States Department of Defense and a grateful nation," Martin said as he kneeled and presented the flag.
Then taps begins to play, which is when the tears begin to fall.
"They definitely want taps played," Martin said. "Almost all the request we get are buglers for taps to be played."
But the two honor guard members who can play the bugle are rarely free to volunteer. In fact, there is a national shortage of buglers, so they turn to a high-tech substitute.
"All I have to do is hit that button and it takes off," Martin said of his electronic bugle.
While to some, the electronic bugle is a tacky substitute, it trumps the alternative.
"We had a boom box, and that's a very unsatisfactory supplement to the service," Martin said.
...more...