Nine-year old Bugles for Veterans
http://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/
My son and I support Bugles Across America. I read in a magazine that the military only has 500 live buglers for funeral honors and therefore the majority of people who request military honors for a funeral get a recording of TAPS. When my son started playing the trumpet I asked him if he'd be interested in sounding live Taps at funerals and memorials and he said yes immediately. Since May 2015 he's participated in dozens of missions. His sweet face and beautiful bugle call bring such joy to people on their darkest days. We're repeatedly thanked by military families for what we do. My son is the youngest bugler in the country. We travel hundreds of miles and make many sacrifices so that our nation's heroes get the military honors they so deserve. We do not get paid for what we do and incur gas, tolls, and often parking costs that we pay out-of-pocket. Both of us take this responsibility very seriously because without or service men and women we would not be afforded the freedoms we often take for granted. Having many friends and family in the military and having lost loved ones, we know first hand how important this is to families. I'm so proud of my son for his commitment to our country and to our military.
Review from #MyGivingStory
This is Tom Day. Should one need to look at what I have done for this country, I can tell you. I joined the Marines 10 Nov. 1957, went to Parris Island boot camp in 58. Served in Macs 22 and VMF 543 Glenview NAS. Voted Marine of the year 1959-60.
Also served in the Army JROTC and reached the position of Co. Co at Captain. Also Taught Army JROTC at Steinmetz HS for 6 years as a Volunteer. For 20 years I have been the chief judge for JROTC music competitions as a Volunteer.
Spent eight years as an active Cadet in USAF Civil Air Patrol. I am still a Patron Member.
I am the Co founder of the Anaheim Kingsmen Drum and Bugle Corps the first World Champions of Drum Corps International.
Drum and Bugle Corps is where I got my first chance to Sound Taps at 10 years old in 1950.
The Seventh Cav, made me an honorary members when I put a reburial service together for Pvt. Keagan who served the Col. Custer.
I wear the rank I earned.
I did serve in the Navy from 1978 to 82 as PR manager for the Seabee's at Glenview NAS.
The Governmet and Pentagon have checked me out and selected me to teach the first classes at Camp Robinson in Little Rock, Ark. for Military Funerals.
The Pentagon came to my house and did a film about me.
The Selective Service picked me to run the city of Berwyn office which I did for 20 years and received a Medal.
I was elected to my High School Hall of Fame. Taft HS , Chicago.
I was selected by MOAA 400,000 Active and Reserve Military OFFICE for the Distinguished Service award in Washington D. C.
I was selected by the city of Berwyn, Ill. to fill the elected position of Alderman of the 5th Ward when the current Alderman died.
Man of the Year by the past Mayor of Chicago.
Winner of the Gen. Logan award from the City of Chicago.
Designed the 3x5 ft Flag for the Gold Star Mothers and Dads.
Started Bugles Across America in 2000 using my State Retirement Acct. $20,000
Won $10,000 from a drawing and it too went to BAA.
President Bush and President Obama Thanked me for what I do.
When I worked in the financial industry I saved Lytton Savings from closing in California and did this for Gov. Reagan.
When I came back to Illinois I put a program together to save tax payers over 30 million a tax installment by automating counties real estate tax departments and who they pay real estate taxes. So that's 60 million for the past 40 years.
Bugles Across America has done more than 100,000 military funerals. The Pentagon credits BAA with doing 35% of all Funerals.
When a members does a funeral he or She puts in 4 to 5 hours. Add this up for the number of Funerals and Veterans Events and look at the reason the Presidents Volunteer Service award is given to us.
We received awards from the Freedom Foundation and many more.
I have received letters of Thank-you from thousands of Families of the Fallen., and the current President.
When I served as Commanding office of the Berwyn Civil Air Patrol, the former Commander atty. and State Rep promoted me to Col. and Squadron Co.
While growing up my Dad Ltcol. Joe Day was one of the founders of Civil Air Patrol.
There is NO other program like BAA where we have had over 7,000 members from 10 to 102 Male and Female doing what we do for the Families of the Fallen.
It's simple. TAPS in y meaning is Thank A Persons Service and that's what we do.
Taps is our Prayer and we play with human breath from the Heart.
God Bless You all and Thanks for Helping me do this job.
Our records are always open for inspection in Berwyn, Ill.
Thomas J. Day Founder and Bugler
All that we do and Have Done has been at no cost to the the Tax payers of America
Taken at face value this organization serves a noble purpose; Providing a volunteer bugler to sound "Taps" at a veteran's funeral. However, upon further investigation there are several glaring issues. The first of which is it's founder. The founder of the organization Tom Day, masquerades as a veteran of all 5 services wearing current military uniforms. He appears in literally dozens of photos online posing as a USMC Gunnery Sergeant, a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, an Army Sergeant First Class, and a USAF Colonel. Furthermore, he adorns these uniforms with awards and badges that he did not earn. Presumably this is to entice those with a heart for veterans to donate to his organization.
According to it's 2010 tax return Bugles Across America has accepted over $600,000 in donations. One can only assume that it is approaching $1,000,000 at this point. The BBB gives them the lowest score for a 501 c 3. The organization has no board of directors and no oversight. Mr. Day is the "sole proprietor" of this non-profit. Please remember the individuals performing the actual service are unpaid volunteers.
One can look to the Stolen Valor Act of 2013 and piece together what might be going on. "Whoever, with the intent of securing a tangible benefit or personal gain, knowingly, falsely, and materially represents himself or herself through any written or oral communication (including a resume) to have served in the Armed Forces of the United States or to have been awarded any decoration, medal, ribbon, or other device authorized by Congress or pursuant to Federal law for the Armed Forces of the United States, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both."
Investigate this organization carefully before giving them your hard-earned money.
Review from Guidestar