1. Debbi Ellerman May 15, 2011

   Wonderful site, Jari! Thank you for your service and for remaining forever faithful to TAPS…you are an inspiration!
2. DOUGLAS K HYER May 14, 2011

   AS THE CHAIR OF THE TR COUNCIL (LONG ISLAND, NY) NATIONAL EAGLE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION AND A DEDICATED BUGLER, I SAY KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, DOUGLAS HYER
3. Robert Rowe May 4, 2011

   Hello, Jari ~~

   You probably wouldn’t recall … but, I dropped in your place in Catonsville, upon the invitation of Jeff Stockham, a couple years ago. I live in Easton, MD, and am a proud member of B.A.A.

   I believe (?) he was in town for the Presidential Inauguration.
   I purchased a horn from him, and took delivery at your home. I did have the occasion to look at the collection of bugles in your display case.

   Look forward to meeting you, more formally. When I was there, several guys were sleeping on the floor (!).

   Best regards,
   Robert Rowe
4. Edward Burton Lee April 27, 2011

   Jari,
   First, your website is essential to our heritage. Thank You!

   Second, I’ve only recently acquired a model M1862 U.S. Regulation bugle
   marketed by Slingerland of Niles IL (formerly Chicago), a reknown drum manufacturing company. Such puts me to believe that Ludwig, another reknown drum manufacturer was also just a marketer of their line of bugles. No evidence supports that either had a brass instrument manufacturing capability.

   Both Rexcraft & Buglecraft are now defunct, their marketing now in another’s hands. Here again, absent evidence that any of these had a brass instrument
   manufacturing capability, I believe they too had them made elsewhere and imprinted with their names, the term of such then known only as “stencils”.
5. Skip Parker April 24, 2011

   This is a terrific site. It’s good to know the true history of this haunting melody. The most stirring rendition I ever heard was at my uncle’s (retired Navy CWO-4) funeral in December 1994 at the Veterans cemetary just outside Hilton Head, South Carolina. A lone bugler played it as my uncle’s casket was lowered into the ground at dusk. I’ve heard histories of this tune, but wanted to know the real story and tradition linked to it.

   Thanks for posting it.

   Skip Parker
6. June Campbell April 21, 2011

   My 92 year old father, who is a WWII veteran, and I were discussing the origin of “Taps” last night, so this is my reason for visiting this site. I haven’t had time to really look at all of the info, but am looking forward to it so that I can share it with my father.
   Thank you,
   June Campbell,
   Burlington, NC
7. Capt. Joe Kelly April 20, 2011

   Great site and your research is brilliant.
8. Sharon Cone Wooten April 12, 2011

   We I started learning music in the 5th grade my dad had only one desire, and that was I play the trumpet and learn TAPS. Throughout middle school, and high school I always wondered why this instrument and this of all songs. A call came one dad, my granddad had passed away. He was a Seabee, in World War II. When arrangements were made, a color guard was requested along with a bugler. When my dad learned there was to be no bugler only a cd to be played, he turned to me and simply asked, Can you play it. At that moment I understood why so many years before that was important. I have had the opportunity to play again at funerals, and I feel honored, just to be in the presence of the person I am playing for. I will be playing this Sunday for a fallen deputy Sheriff in Madison County, Florida. Please keep his family in your prayers.

   Sincerely
   Sharon Cone Wooten
   Greenville, FL
9. Victor Smith April 3, 2011

   Hello Jari.
   A heartfelt thanks for the fantastic informative website you have provided here. I recently had the honor of providing Taps for a USMA classmate’s memorial service in Cincinnati, OH. The information and recording at your website was a great refresher of how the music is to be sounded. I am still available for services as needed.
   The pre-recorded fake-sounding notes will never replace those being sounded by the breathing bugler during the service. We are reminded that the veteran being honored did NOT call for a recorded image of a soldier to take his place in defense of his country, but stood that ground himself.
   Thanx BuKu,
   Vic Smith, US Army Ret’d.
   Waterford, OH
10. Tom Carlysle April 1, 2011

    Jari,

    Excellent website about Taps. I have referred many people to this site to get the real story on the history of Taps. Every time I get that video of the 13-year-old playing Il Silenzio, which is mis-identified as the long version of Taps, I refer the sender to your site.
    I met you when you visited the 105th GSDF Band on the day we had our change of command ceremony.
    I had the honor this afternoon of playing Taps for a retired Brigadier General’s funeral through BAA and am honored to do that as my schedule allows.

    Best, regards,

    Tom Carlysle

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