military funeral song

Military Funeral Song - U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (Retired) Vernon Bugler plays at a military funeral at Arizona's National Memorial Cemetery Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, in West Phoenix. Video by Tom Tingle/The Arizona Republic

From the mouthpiece to the top of the bell, it is 15 inches long, with two loops of brass tubing designed to produce a loud, clear sound, easily heard through cannons and arrows.

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It is often played in short bursts, an unforgettable staccato associated with short commands. It is more useful than beautiful, and not obligatory.

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And yet, with the right series of precisely controlled breaths, he can create one of the country's most iconic melodies, an instantly recognizable series of sounds that evoke memories and emotions.

In the hands of someone like a retired army sergeant. Vernon West is a work of trumpet art. He uses it every week to finally say goodbye to American veterans.

West has lost count of the number of times he has stood alone among the tombstones, watching and waiting to play a tune now associated with only one act. Of course, over a thousand. More than 2000 for sure.

When the last sound of the trumpets, dispersed by the false wind, is gone, the mourners are silent. Ten seconds, increasing to 20. Letting the moment - goodbye - sink into the memory.

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The bugle call is so powerful that it has bid farewell to millions of men and women for over a century. They all served their country. Some gave their lives.

The Bugle's streamlined, uncomplicated design uses no valves. The craft was made for conversations, not music. As such, the design is simple and streamlined. The horn is easy to learn and hard to master.

Vernon West hastily zipped up his lint-free black jacket, which had been carefully removed from a hanger in the backseat. He reached into the backseat of his car (license plate: TAPS 1) and took out a silver-plated trumpet, an instrument containing a dress uniform, a change of clothes, a book or two, and about 30 unopened white gloves. they were drunk. - A clear indication of life often spent in the cemetery in six-hour chunks.

Birds of paloverde and mesquite trees spread wide among the smooth, perfectly even crushed granite. When the National Memorial Cemetery in North Phoenix opened more than 30 years ago, the only other signs of civilization were the two-lane cobbled road leading to it. Although the subdivisions are half a mile from the entrance, the view of the distant mountains remains untouched.

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With only 10 minutes before the first memorial service, West arrived several times too late to play scales, his usual warm-up. Instead, he clung to his hat, held his bugle to his right shoulder strap, and joined the rest of the honor guard in a majestic march to their position.

As instructed, West detached himself from the three rifles and stood alone, positioning himself between the rows of brass tombstones. He turned to the shelter and waited for her signal. As the last three bullets pierced the air, he brought the trumpet to his lips.

It was the first of the new services. Friday is always the busiest day at the Veterans Cemetery, with families holding services so they can spend the weekend out of town.

West knew he was playing at the ninth service when he called the cemetery office the day before. Had he arrived earlier, he would have stopped by the office to pick up his schedule. Today, however, he had to walk twice back to his apartment, which was about 20 minutes away, to change clothes he needed after the last service.

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Without the list, West spotted the white honor guard van and pulled up behind it as the six-man team donned their regulation dress uniforms.

He had no idea who was buried, and it didn't matter. He thought he hit every note perfectly. It was (by his estimation) more than 99.9 percent of the time.

After the 9am service, there were others at 9:30, 10:30, 11, 11:30, 1, 1:30, 2 and 2:30. He would arrive five minutes before everyone and tie his jacket on the right breast with an army ribbon. He took a seat about 100 feet away, facing those who had come to say goodbye.

At 14:45, West sounded his horn as he had planned for that day. Every service was on time; Every note was perfect.

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Brass is corrosion resistant, strong for its weight. An alloy of copper and zinc, it is also valued for its acoustic properties, its vibrations producing loud, clear sounds.

Polished brass shimmers in direct light, giving it a decorative golden sheen. But it also meets rigors, its fragile nature that bends more than it breaks, making it suitable for both music and standalone environments.

Vernon West had no interest in the trumpet or music as a boy growing up in Michigan. Still, brass was in his blood, and finding his own path was only a matter of time.

West's exposure to music did not come until fifth grade, when he was asked to join the school band. He picked up a cornet, a less common trumpet-like horn. He gave it up after a year, even after mastering "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".

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Three years later, the cornet was back in West's hands, thanks to equal parts joy and family tradition. Diamonds were a part of his life until his sophomore year, when he quit his job and joined the army.

He said his music career was very popular. He played with friends, with a band, or alone in his room. But West missed the moment explaining the G note.

In 1964, during another harsh winter in Muskegon, the high school band was warming up when the teacher walked in, took a piece of paper from the desk, read it silently, then asked if anyone could tap the waiter. Funeral

Maghrib's hand went up. He didn't know much about his vocation, only that volunteering was an "honourable job".

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"My father was a doctor and I thought it would be an honor," said West. "I doubt not."

The following Friday, Western Time arrived at the cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Operation, navigation of 3 foot high adits to graves. Which was barren. He was worried it was too early. Or too late. Or in the wrong cemetery.

He returned to the car and waited anxiously, honking his horn occasionally to keep up. Nine minutes later the funeral procession arrived. Putting his mouth in his pocket to warm it, he headed back to the grave. The man walked away from the flag-lined coffin. "Do you know when to play?" he asked West. The 17-year-old shook his head. "When guys in uniform come up and salute the flag, you're playing," he said.

West recalled that the performance was flawless, which was to be expected after practicing the recording over 25 times. West left as quietly as he had come.

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He didn't play the tape again for 14 years. Nor will he stop when he discovers that this is what has been done to him.

Trumpets date back thousands of years, with some of the earliest being built by the ancient Romans. They were used for both music and communication, and the brass trumpet we know today was used on the battlefield in the mid-18th century.

As communication needs evolved, so did the use of the trumpet. The call series has evolved over the years from a simple revelry to a lesser-known postal call. For example, the US Army employs 25 bugle calls.

In 2000, the little-noticed Federal Defense Appropriations Act pressed into the role of a trumpet. Buried in the bill is the word OK to use the recording if a trumpeter is not available.

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Honor guards attending services at Phoenix National Cemetery may and do use an electronic horn. The trumpeter, who often cannot play a note, puts it to his lips and presses the "play" button. The tape is clear, versatile and complete. The digital sound is as clear as the live version.

And if a trumpeter isn't available, either live or electronically, many cemetery sanctuaries are equipped with sound systems for one purpose - to play the pipes.

About 70 percent of services at the National include taped versions, according to Mike Corr, the cemetery's link to military honors.

The policy that allows recordings led to the creation of Bugles Across America, a non-profit organization that provides live trumpeters for military funerals. Founder Tom DeBegler created the BAA out of scarcity, and the group now has over 7,500 members.

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The nonprofit's goal is not only to provide trumpeters to government families free of charge, but also to maintain the rich tradition of trumpeters, said retired Air Force Major Carl Eckhardt, director of BAE's Arizona division.

"Live performance is much more important," said Eckhardt. “Being a trumpet player is a better way to do it. It's the least we can do for our veterans."

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