Bugles Across America

[administrator]

If you live in the United States and have a few extra minutes once a month or so, please consider joining Bugles Across America, a service organization dedicated to providing live buglers at Military Funerals and Functions. I have personally performed for several veterans' funerals, as well as a number of Veteran's Day celebrations. It is always satisfying and, occasionally, you get free food!

https://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/

[oldpete]

@administrator I have served in that group.

[J. Jericho]

A well-respected organization. Playing Taps is always a profoundly rewarding experience.

[administrator]

Thank you for serving. I recently had the opportunity to go to my grandfather's funeral. He was definitely an American patriot and served in the National Guard of Missouri. I very much love and miss this man. When we arrived at the graveside to inter his body, there was a local veterans unit there to give him the gun salute (I don't know exactly how many shots were fired.) One man had a fake bugle, and it was my privilege to tell him that his services were not necessary, since I would be performing taps on a real bugle. That was a great experience.

[Kehaulani]

A lot of hard feelings about using fake bugles, but I hope that doesn't extend to the people who have given their time and resources to acting in absence of real buglers.

[administrator]

Certainly you can't fault those who do their best.

[OldKing]

I'm a member. I've sounded Taps several times for veterans. It was an extreme honor and a miniscule service compared to the debt I owe them. 'Not impressed with the response from state-level management though. Numerous texts ignored, etc. When they want something, it's urgent, when you need something - crickets. But that's typical human nature.

[Kehaulani]

@OldKing said in Bugles Across America:

When they want something, it's urgent, when you need something - crickets. But that's typical human nature.

I'm not sure that tendency isn't usually overcome by professionalism, though. This doesn't have to be that way, but I'm sorry if it is.

[Peter Mac]

I am a member - decided to join when MH370 went down off the WA coast, and thought there may be a need for a Bugler. Bought a Getzen Field Bugle. I have never been called upon, but have introduced an American friend from New York City who has emigrated here.

I play regularly for ANZAC Day on the British Bugle.
Still enjoy the BAA Newsletters, and always ready - if needed.

[Eatontkd]

New member here. I've heard of this organization. They had representatives at both my brother and my father's funeral.
What is considered a fake bugle?

[Dale Proctor]

@eatontkd said in Bugles Across America:

New member here. I've heard of this organization. They had representatives at both my brother and my father's funeral.
What is considered a fake bugle?

I’d guess a “fake bugle” is one of those bugles with the digital bugle call module in the bell, pretended to be played by a “fake bugler”. A real bugler is preferable, as long as they are fairly proficient, but at least those electronic bugles are a significant step above a boom box and are surely better than no Taps at all.

[J. Jericho]

@eatontkd said in Bugles Across America:

What is considered a fake bugle?

It's an electronic device that looks like a bugle. The user pretends to play, and a recording actually sounds Taps. It usually works as intended. BAA has examples of when it doesn't. Not pretty.

[Dr GO]

@j-jericho said in Bugles Across America:

It's an electronic device that looks like a bugle. The user pretends to play, and a recording actually sounds Taps...

So you are saying: The boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B - the real thing; but The boogie woogie bugle boy of Company E, not so much!

[Dr GO]

...then there was no one quit as famous as the bugler from F Troup that even played with an arrow down his bell:

[Eatontkd]

@dr-go M.A.S.H.'s "Radar" wasn't too infamous either!!

[Furcifer]

Since I just joined and saw this, I thought I'd pile on. I have been volunteering with BAA since its inception. A number of my recurring annual gigs came from those contacts and just the word getting around - in fact, my last gig and another I will be performing at a memorial service this week were a result of such direct contacts. The point is, the more we can accomplish together in serving these missions, the more good things tend to come back our way. I have not found where cynicism about this, regardless of how legitimate, has ever really served to accomplish anything. Thanks to everybody who contributes their time and talent to this endeavor.