Military Bugler - Bugle Player
You are not memorializing a fake soldier. Why would you settle for a fake bugle?
The majority of times the Honor Guard at a Military Funeral only has a recording of "Taps" played on a CD player or they use a plastic bugle with a pre-recorded digital device in the bell of the bugle. You can rest assured that Forrest will play beautifully, and you can be reassured that your tribute will not be ruined by the dying batteries in a CD player.
Also for military funerals, Forrest wears a "military dress" uniform which consists of a kilt, a tartan plaid, a horsehair sporran, spats, a military tunic, waist belt and even a feather bonnet. Other pipers in California make due with only a kilt, white shirt and tie, white socks and maybe a black jacket. Forrest believes that those who have served this country, deserve the best that can be provided to them. That is why the wearing of "military dress" and having the added blessing of "live" taps makes his service a level above the rest.
History of Taps
Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting and the history of its origin is interesting and somewhat clouded in controversy. In the British Army, a similar type call known as Last Post has been sounded over soldiers' graves since 1885, but the use of Taps is unique to the United States military, since the call is sounded at funerals, wreath-laying and memorial services.
Taps began as a revision to the signal for Extinguish Lights (Lights Out) at the end of the day. Up until the Civil War, the infantry call for Extinguish Lights was the one set down in Silas Casey's (1801-1882) Tactics, which had been borrowed from the French. The music for Taps was adapted by Union General Daniel Butterfield for his brigade (Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac) in July, 1862.
Daniel Adams Butterfield (1831-1901) was born in Utica, New York and graduated from Union College at Schenectady. He was the eastern superintendent of the American Express Company in New York when the Civil War broke out. A Colonel in the 12th Regiment of the New York State Militia, he was promoted to Brigadier General and given command of a brigade of the 5th Corps of the Army of the Potomac.
During the Peninsular Campaign Butterfield distinguished himself when, during the Battle of Gaines Mill and despite an injury, he seized the colors of the 83rd Pennsylvania and rallied the regiment at a critical time in the battle. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for that act of heroism.
As the story goes, General Butterfield was not pleased with the call for Extinguish Lights, feeling that the call was too formal to signal the days end, and with the help of the brigade bugler, Oliver Willcox Norton (1839-1920), wrote Taps to honor his men while in camp at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, following the Seven Days battle. These battles took place during the Peninsular Campaign of 1862. The new call, sounded that night in July, 1862, soon spread to other units of the Union Army and was reportedly also used by the Confederates. Taps was made an official bugle call after the war.
