"The Bugler"

The year after my grandparents had passed away, my parents decided that I should learn to play an instrument. Yes, this is a picture of me playing the bugle, but I had started on the trombone. I played it for a few years before I became a Civil War reenactor. At that time, I was not yet 16 years old, so I was not able to be part of the cannon crew. My choices were, either hold a flag as a guidon, or figure something else out. Well, I took the time to decide that I was going to be the unit musician, and learn to play the bugle. I did not know at that time that a simple decision would change everything in a few years. Soon, my Boy Scout troop knew, then the VFW. Not long after that, I began to receive requests from the VFW to go to some of their ceremonies and to play Taps after the 21 gun salute. I love helping them out and spending time with the veterans. It is also a great feeling when a person comes up to me and tells me that my playing really reminded them of their loved ones. Even though many do not know my real name, they always seem to call me “The Bugler”.