Glen was tireless.

Sadly, there are more veterans dying than there are buglers available for the playing of Taps. Many WWII heroes are interred to a recording. A battery-powered device fits into the bell of the bugle and plays a recording as the bugler holds the horn to his lips. The related instructions read, “While Taps is being played, breath normally as if actually playing the instrument. This will provide the veteran’s family with a more realistic visual image of a live bugler.”

Frederik would be honored by a first-rate bugler.

The law provides every veteran with an honor guard of at least two servicemen who will fold and present a flag, in addition to playing Taps. Frederik’s honor guard was seven in number, in addition to the military escort, the Casualty Assistance Officer, the SgtMaj and the LtCol and other uniformed Marines who came just to stand.

Sometimes the honor guard steps away from the gravesite to fire the three volleys, and then returns to the gravesite. That disrupts the flow of the ceremony. For Frederik, the Marines brought in a special crew for just that one task. Seven riflemen plus a Staff Sergeant in charge.

Load ‘em up,

move ‘em out.

Line ‘em up,

dust ‘em off.

“Dust them off”?

No one from the family and guests would come within 100 feet of this crew.

Why are they worried about loose threads and lint?

Because we are burying Lance Corporal Vazquez today. That’s why.

The bikers checked with the bugler,

who checked with the LtCol, the SgtMaj.

Even Glen picked up a flag.

We were ready.

Frederik would soon arrive at his final resting place.

on to Frederik’s ceremony

back to the Frederik Vazquez Mission

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