[skyguy79]

In light of this thread, I'd like to bring to your attention a wonderful non-profit organization where I have the pleasure of knowing and meeting it's founder Tom on a few different occasions. It's called Bugles Across America. It states on their website:

"Bugles Across America, NFP was founded in 2000 by Tom Day, when Congress passed legislation stating that Veterans have a right to at least two uniformed military people to fold the flag and play Taps on a CD player. Bugles Across America was founded to take this a step further. In recognition of the service these Veterans have provided to their country, we felt that they each deserve a live rendition of Taps played by a live bugler. To this end, we are actively seeking capable volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.

Bugles Across Americanow has over 7500 bugler volunteers located in all 50 states and growing number overseas. Since the Department of Veterans Affairs is expecting more than 1/2 million veterans to pass every year for the next 7 years, Bugles Across America is ALWAYS recruiting new volunteers.

Bugler Volunteers can be male or female. They can play a traditional bugle with no valves, or they can perform the ceremony on a Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn, or a 1, 2 or 3 valved bugle. The bugler can be of any age as long as they can play the 24 notes of Taps with an ease and style that will do honor to both the Veterans, their families, and the burial detail performing the service."

Having played bugles in different marching groups myself (too many years ago) I have known and still have a few friends that have volunteered their time and talents for this worthy organization.

For more information about Bugles Across America please go the the following web page and if you find it fitting, please consider making a small donation to help keep it going.

Bugles Across America