I am concerned that I have inadvertently  been "flying under False Colors'.  I have had several Patriot Woodworker members thank me for my service when I did not serve. I am NOT a Veteran.  I tried to enlist in 1962 and was DQd for a heart issue.   I AM an Associate Member of the Michigan PVA .  I   Am  a (Non-Member) Bugler for a  VFW Post.  I AM Michigan Assistant Director/Bugler for   Bugles Across America  - a 7000 Member National Organization (210 in Michigan) which proves live  TAPS for Military Funeral Honors.  I am proud to be a part of those who pay last respects to those who have served.

Very honorable. Salute brother.

Well we thank you for your service doing that sir

You serve, still. We thank you for that service.

You've stolen nothing from anyone! 

Glad to have you with us.

Hey Ernie! I read through your welcome messages and I am very sure what folks meant when they say "Thank you for your service" was thank you for serving our veterans! I am very sure that is where those thank you's came from. You are completely fine, and thank you for your service once again! You are providing service to our country through volunteerism and you are sacrificing time and treasure to do what you do for our veterans, so I'll say it again, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!. You betcha!!! I completely understood your actions. As a matter of fact, if you want you could change the title of this discussion to, "How I Serve My Country and Our Veterans". You have stolen nothing, you are an American Volunteer!!!!

Thank you so much for being here Ernie, when I saw that you had joined us I was very excited to have you aboard, and still am!

Ernie, you m,ay not be a vet in the common sense of the term but you have and are serving our country.  Hats of to ya my friend.

No valor stolen here, Sir!!

Your time and service to these wonderful organization- that service our veterans- is so very valuable to those families. We thank you for all you do and would never diminish your contributions. You ARE one of us and we are proud to have you here.

Ernie,

You may not be a veteran of the services, but you are serving in your own way.

You are providing a service to those, and their families that have given the ultimate sacrifice.

For this, we here at The Patriot Woodworker salute you.

A couple of folks have asked about Bugles Across America (BAA) - the organization that I belong to.  BAA has for it's sole purpose providing live (not recorded or electronic) TAPS for Military Funeral Honors for deceased American Veterans.  This is a fairly old news story but it does explain why we exist.  We are now at 7,000 men and women Nationwide (210 in Michigan where I am Assistant Director for BAA) and one man in Germany.  Give it a look.  It's interesting (at least I think so).

Ernie, per my message in your inbox, I want to speak with you and learn more about your work with BAA, I look forward to getting together with you sir! Ernie Richardson (BAA Bugler) said:

A couple of folks have asked about Bugles Across America (BAA) - the organization that I belong to.  BAA has for it's sole purpose providing live (not recorded or electronic) TAPS for Military Funeral Honors for deceased American Veterans.  This is a fairly old news story but it does explain why we exist.  We are now at 7,000 men and women Nationwide (210 in Michigan where I am Assistant Director for BAA) and one man in Germany.  Give it a look.  It's interesting (at least I think so).

Ernie,

I will chime in here also and say Thank You for your service to vets and, by extension, to our country. I know only too well how much the vet's families appreciate what you're doing to honor their loved ones, because I was once a member of BAA. I first heard about them after watching a video about the first Echo Taps held on the east coast. When I heard that they were organizing a second, world-wide Echo Taps in 2007, I immediately joined and organized a group at the Kansas Veteran's Cemetery at Fort Dodge in Dodge City, KS. While there were only 8 of us, (including a young man playing trombone!), it was a huge success.

That's me on the far left.

The following year my father-in-law, himself a Navy veteran, passed away and I was honored to be asked to play Taps at his funeral at the same cemetery. Unfortunately, that took such a large toll on me that I stopped playing for a long time. By the time I felt ready to start playing again, my job schedule was such that I had to turn down all requests, and I retired my horn and membership.

I am excited to hear that BAA didn't die out altogether. While many people don't care whether Taps is played live or electronically, there are many more that do care, and the memories of a live bugle playing Taps, that you and the people at BAA provide, will last those families a lifetime. Perhaps after I retire I might be able to rejoin BAA, but until then, this is one vet who is thanking you for your service!!!

AMEN!!!!! And thank you John for YOUR sevice!!!! And what a fantastic photo!!!