Below is a very nice letter Massachusetts State Director, Jayson Newell, received after Mass. BAA member Kimberly Shaw played "Taps" for them. ************* Good evening Mr. Newell (Jayson) and Ms. Shaw (Kimberly)   Please accept my apology for not writing to you both sooner.   Please also accept my sincerest THANK YOU for providing such a wonderful send off for a true patriot!   We had made a point of keeping the family in the dark as to what we were planning for the ceremony. When they saw the piper they were surprised but when Kimberly arrived they were truly impressed. Jayson, I know you must get these accolades all the time whenever Kimberly volunteers to play TAPS for a veteran. Her uniform was outstanding and very professional to say the least. As a former Air Policeman in the USAF I am most familiar with “parade presence”. That is having your uniform so sharp you could pass in review for the President at any moment. So, when I tell you that her uniform was exemplary you can take it to the bank!!...

Just saw a nice letter that came in. Thank you BAA member Ken Hogan for such a great job!

"Ken, Thanks again for blowing Taps at Harold's service. It was very refreshing and a significant improvement over the sterile recording I've become accustomed to hearing. I hope to hear you play again.
Bert"

A great letter that came in. Great job Rod Clark!

"Sir, CWO Rod Clark arrived and performed flawlessly for the James B ceremony today. On behalf of the family I would like to say thank you to all those that went above and beyond to create a perfect last memory for all who attended. Your organization top to bottom have my utmost respect. I personally want to say thank you and best wishes to you and your family.
BUCS(SCW) John M S."

We are very sad to report that one of our NJ buglers, Charles "Chuck" Murray passed away on February 6th, 2013

We wanted to share with you notes that he had in his BAA profile.

“I am 65 years old, married with two daughters and three granddaughters.  I played a bugle for a drum and bugle corps from 1959 until 1971.  My father was a WWII vet and fought in North Africa, Sicily, the Battle of the Bulge and across Germany.   When he passed away, my old Drum and Bugle Corps played echo TAPS.  My father-in-law was a fighter pilot from WWII until 1983.  When he passed away he was a retired Brigadier General in the Air Force and a retired Major General from the NY Air Guard.  At his funeral there was no bugler available and a tape recording was used.  At the time I felt sad for my wife, my mother-in-law and his family.  Although my brother served in the Navy during the 1970's, I did not serve, but felt I owed my family and country.  When I heard about Bugles Across America, I felt that this was my opportunity...

Thought we'd share something that came in:

"On behalf of Vaughan Paralyzed Veterans of America. I would like to thank BAA member Mr. Richard Wacker and Troop 50 from Park Ridge.

They attended our Annual Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner to Present Colors and they were just amazing. Our crowd were very pleased to see all these young men so professional and dedicated to their flag.

THANK YOU for your service and time to our disabled Veterans.

Submitted By: Maria H."

I'm glad you could help! Thank you Nancy for all you do! ***** "I was surprised to see a request for Jefferson Barracks since they have always used there own "paid" buglers. I took the mission yesterday and found out that the funding had been cut. One of the members of the Marine Honor Guard e-mailed his sergeant about Bugles Across America. By the time I got into work after the funeral, there were two requests! The gentleman at Jefferson Barracks wanted my information. I also told him about the BAA website. He will be meeting with local funeral directors this week and will pass that info along to them. I sure hope we have enough volunteers to step up! I am able to volunteer once in a while during the week, but I think if this became a weekly event my bosses would be upset. This really caught me by surprise! I will say that given the number of funerals at Jefferson Barracks, the ceremony is much shorter than what I have experienced in other "public" cemeteries. Thanks for all YOU do, Tom!! Nancy L Bender BAA...

A wonderful message was sent to Washington BAA Bugler, John Gonzales.

"I wanted to say thanks again from our family for playing Taps at our dad's burial last week. Too bad that it wasn’t as sunny as the previous day and not the best conditions for playing, but we appreciate your fine musicianship under not-so-perfect conditions. It was very touching to have a real rendition of Taps, and I can just hear my dad saying, “That’s neat, Tiger.”
Also thanks to Bugles Across America, what a great organization!
Warmest regards,
Deb O and the H family"

   Bugles Across America is honored to announce the appointment of Mr. Glenn Traylor as the new State Director of North Carolina. Glenn resides in Raleigh, NC with his wife Janet. For the last 20 years, Glenn has served as a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America, and has mentored and trained several Eagle Scouts, including his son Paul Traylor. Although having never served in the Armed Forces, he got a front row seat to the world, as his dad was a career Army soldier. 

   Glenn states, “I am an Army brat.   I was born in what is present day Eritrea   (Northern Africa).  My father, deceased, served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam and was stationed in Africa, Europe and Asia (and the US).  He was buried at Sandhills Veterans Cemetary at Fort Bragg with full honors.  I was honored to play Taps at his funeral.  As an Army brat my family followed my father. ...

Here's a wonderful "Thank you" that came in to us this week.  Great work Vince!

"BAA and Vince DeVincenzio Were WONDERFUL! Thank you so very much for the outstanding work you do! We were honored to have Vince DeVincenzio play Taps at our WWII veteran father Don Chapin's memorial service yesterday. Vince was professional, on time and accommodating and played wonderfully well. He saved the day for the military honors, as the honor guard arranged for by the cremation society funeral director NEVER showed up to the service. Vince gave our hero Dad a fitting and proper tribute. I have made a donation online and will urge family and friends to do the same. Sincerely, Karen C"

Thanks to BAA's Chaplain, Ron Glazer, here's the story of the Four Chaplains and the guidelines for Four Chaplains Interfaith Memorial Services in PFD form.
The Four Chaplains Story.pdf
ServiceGuideFourChaplains.pdf