Military Honors
One of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a indiviual, miltary honors at a funeral. The 3 rifle volley, playing of taps, and folding/presentation of the U.S. flag that was draped over the coffin. This can give us some of the most powerful and painful images in our country. It isn't of a man or woman in the battlefield bleeding, it is of those back home that they gave thier life for. But even this respectful ceremony has been reduced, attacked, and made into a profit making venue. Please be sure to read the below sections on what you can do, and how not to pay $350+ for military honors.
Reading of the Flag Folds
Once upon a time the VFW and the American Legion read a very meaning full script that told what each fold of the United States Flag meant. But then one great big cry baby complained to his Uncle Sammy, because he heard the G word (God). Uncle Sammy told everyone to stop reading the flag folding ceremony at military funerals, unless the family directly requests it.
Ok, Story time is over. Wait, how clumsey of me. That isn't just a story, it is real! ONE PERSON was offended at ONE FUNERAL when he heard the reading of the flag folding. This one man rose hell about it, and got his way! Now Honor Guards can not longer read the folds, all because one person had a issue with God (whom this country was founded on) being mentioned in a funeral!
Here is the good news. It is not banned, as long as you request for it. It can be read by most volunteer teams. A D.O.D. team can not read the folds. Want to see it for yourself, go here and view it for yourself. Then tell your friends.
Finding Live Buglers under $350
What got me starting as a volunteer is chasing a rumor that civilian buglers can get paid $50 for playing taps a military funerals. That was wrong, but after getting down to Riverside National Cemetery I decided to volunteer.
Not to long after that I figured out that some families paid up to $350 to have a live bugler play at thier loved one's funeral! Not wanting a boom box or canned bugle, this is what a lot of people had to do.
1. Most Funeral Homes will not give you a deal, most(not all) will nickle and dime you. Always look and ask around first. Don't take what they tell you at face value.
2. Some Buglers want a piece of this action too, and they give thier information to the funeral homes. While most buglers I know are volunteers, they don't get much support.
3. There are plenty of buglers out there who will volunteer their serivices. Our Military choose to serve, they were not required to serve. Many risked thier life to defend our freedoms. Providing them the honors they deserve should not empty thier loved ones pockets.
But where are these buglers who still have morals, and want to honor the defenders of thier freedoms? You will have to ask around. If you are in the Southren California area, just call me. But for everyone else try these steps. Some funeral homes have buglers on file, and they will provide thier information for you. Next contact the cemetery, and ask if they have a memorial
honor detail office (or something like that). Or just ask whoever answers the phone if they can recommend a good volunteer bugler, or if they know who can. If by now you haven't found somebody figure out who performs at city functions. Cities will offten have a VFW/American Legion/etc. honor team dedicate
new memorials and perform durring Memorial Day and similar days. These teams offten know of a bugler, or might have a live bugler on thier teams. If all this has failed go to your local Boy Scout units and ask if they have a bugler. If you need help doing this, or have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. I will be glad to assist in anyway.
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