Dear Mr. Day, My father recently died at the age of 86, and being a Navy vet, we asked for an Honor Guard ceremony at Ft. Rosecans (San Diego).  As you are well aware, we are losing so many WW II vets, we were not guaranteed a live bugler.  Luckily, the woman who handled my father's cremation gave me your website.  Within hours of requesting a bugler, I received a phone call and an email from one of your volunteers.  Unfortunately, he had a family emergency and had to cancel a few weeks later.  Within minutes of my request being posted again, I received a phone call from Capt. Marv Steinman.  (I'm already getting choked up just typing his name.)  Not only was he professional, and discreet, but his rendition of TAPS was incredibly powerful.  Afterwards, I introduced myself and he gave me the most sincere hug I think I've ever had from a complete stranger.  He explained he volunteers to honor his father who happened to be a Navy vet too. I can't thank your organization enough for sending my family Capt....

Three cheers for Marine Bugler Ed Crobie.

Ed joined BAA 10 years ago today. I remember when Ed called me and said, " Hi Tom, I just saw you on the front page of the Wall Street Journal and I want to be a member and sound Taps at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery down here where I live. How can I do that"?

I remember my response. I said, Ed take your horn over there and show them you can sound Taps correctly and that you are willing to Volunteer to play LIVE instead of using the taped version.

Well, Bugler Crobie did just that. And ten years later we have more that nine regular players at the cemetery, doing twenty funerals a day.

Bugler Crobie has done more than 5,000 burials.

God Bless Ed and all the Volunteers at the Cemetery who are on the team.
Tom Day, Founder.

I've been working for several months with Alderman Balcer 11th ward and the Special Events unit for the city and on February 9th, we had our first meeting for the big parade on the eight floor of the city county building. For some time I have prepared information for the Alderman and the Special events staff has known me for over fifteen years. So this year I got a well prepared history of Taps and  of Oliver Wilcox Norton from Jari Villanueva who is the true authority on the history.  I had packets for twenty people all ready to go with CD's and coins even very nice books by CW4 Josef A. Orosz Jr. U.S. Army Band Ret.. John Trick comm. spokesman said whats all that info? I said, "I was going to try and sell my theme for the Parade". John said, "We already have one". then showed me the agenda for the meeting.   At the top was the theme printed. Taps the 150th Anniversary.   Then twenty members showed up and I passed out my envelopes for them and they all agreed. The Parade will be May 26th. down State...

Dear Mr. Tom Day

I had the pleasure of meeting one of you buglers, Hartmut Hausser when I volunteered as a vascular surgeon in support of the wounded American troops evacuated from Afghanistan to Landstuhl, Germany.  Hartmut is a wonderful man and I was very pleased to have met him.  We played a little harmonica together and became friends.  He is also held in high regard by one of my vascular surgical partners who has been to Landstuhl as well.  Bugles Across America is fortunate to have Hartmut as one of them.

Sincerely,
Steven S Gale, MD. FACS

Sir,
       I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for sending me the BAA accessories requested.  I will wear them with great pride in all events, and ceremonies in which I take an active part as a bugler. Once again, thank you for your consideration, Mr. Day.
 
Respectfully,
Walter Salvari, Scoutmaster
 BSA Troop 58

Our very own Larry DuPree was interviewed regarding Taps 150 and about Taps itself on The Connie Pillich Show in Ohio.  The show is available on their website at
The Connie Pillich Show

If you have any troubles viewing the streaming video, make sure your software is up to date and that you have QuickTime installed on your computer, and keep in mind that some virus software or firewalls may prevent you from viewing streaming material online. If you need to download QuickTime, it's free and
available here:
Quicktime

The show began airing yesterday and will continue through the month of February.

Obviously you can't click the photo but here is the link if you want to order tickets.
Click here to order tickets

This was the first month of Taps 150 and it was a busy month. the sad part is that there is only 11 more months to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Taps. We are getting new members from all over America and that's great. I ask that all Directors stay alert and call the new players to see and hear them and get them active as soon as possible. I only did two missions in January both on the same day. This is great news as the rest were filled by a number of Illinois players jumping on all new requests. In the Chicago area BAA is the first to be called by the Navy out of Great Lakes and the area Coast Guard. Georgia, The entire East Coast, California, and even Arizona have really gotten busy. I see that Jari says we have over 100 players signed up for May 19th at Arlington. Early in the month I got several requests for patches, and pins and they went out.  Today 1-30-12, I will drop off another seven envelopes with gear. there is NO charge and it's first come first served. Let us know if you are planing anything in your area for Taps 150....

This Friday is the 69th anniversary of the loss of four military men of faith and 672 other service members.  On February 3, 1943, the U.S.A.T. DORCHESTER was tragically sunk.  Of the 902 young men on board, only 230 survived.  Many of those survivors  owe their lives to the  courage and leadership exhibited by the heroic Four Chaplains, who, in  sacrificing their lives, created a unique legacy of brotherhood. Learn about this event at http://www.fourchaplains.org/ and click on the link under the American flag http://fourchaplains.org/ServiceGuide.pdf for the guide to help you or your community, VFW, American Legion, etc. host a service in memory of the Four Chaplains who gave their lives for the men they served with.   Please send any photos and written experiences from your event to Jennifer Day at baa.jday@gmail.com after your event so that we can include them in our Newsletter.  Thank you! Promote...

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Don Ware as the new State Director in Georgia. Mr. Ray Tanner will remain on as Assistant Director, and BAA is very indebted to Ray for his leadership for the last two years. For the last two years, Don Ware has been Asst. Director, assigned to the Quick Response Team of buglers at the Georgia National Cemetery. This team of buglers has been working closely with the National Guard, perfoming approximately 3,000 services in the last two years. Don is a former police officer of 8 years, the father of 7 children, ranging in ages from 5 to 23. His son is currently serving in the US Marine Corps, and his oldest daughter is at the University of Mississippi. Don and his wife Kim reside in North Georgia, and they both work for Moneris Solutions, a credit card management company. Don says"Most of all, I believe in Jesus Christ...