E-mail re: Taps at veteran's funerals

Colleagues,

This is why I sponsored SB 5361, Providing for the live performance of Taps at veterans' funerals.

Ken

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From: Jerry Huff
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:17 PM
To: Jacobsen, Sen. Ken
Subject: Taps must be live

My name is Jerry Huff,
I am a music teacher with the North Thurston School District, I also direct the American Legion Band, and freelance as a trumpet performer.

As I was driving past Woodlawn Cemetery located in Lacey, I noticed the VFW standing at attention for a funeral. The bugler appeared to have what I call a mechanical bugle. This is a device that looks like a bugle but has a small amplifier and speaker inside, the sound of which is reminiscent of a bull horn. I pulled up as close as I could and waved my trumpet at the bugler. He acknowledged me and gave me the go-ahead to play live Taps in his place.

The family of the deceased was very gracious and thanked me profusely.

The honor of live Taps is profound; no soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who has served our country should be denied this. It is the final event that the family will experience, and the sanctity of the ceremony should never be diminished. An impersonal recording does not do justice to such an important event, even when the delivery is disguised as a bugle. Only a live musician is able to react to the weather, distance from the group, mood of the eulogy, or energy of the environment.

Jerry Huff

Band Director

Lakes, Woodland, Mt. View,

and Horizons Elementary Schools

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