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Wow, today went much smoother than I thought. My friend and I really got to know each other riding in the car together. It was really nice of her to take me. Her name is Holly and she was a sergeant in the army. She has lots of wisdom and advice. The funeral for my friend Lial went pretty well. There wasn't a full honor guard though, just flag detail and me the bugler. I performed Taps inside at the church, then I was asked to perform at the cemetary. It was a beautiful day for it too. The sun was shining, and it wasn't that cold. The family really enjoied the whole funeral, and Taps. His wife liked it so much that she invited me to her family reunion in May. Aww, I love this job. I am so honored to have been able to provide my friend with this last request. Lial, you served your nation extremely bravely, and I will always remember you.

Wow, once again, it was a great pleasure to serve my country with Taps again today! Both of the events went well. The greatest part was when our commander changed the order of drill commands and he didn't think I would be used to them. The first time he said "present arms" the rest of the guard salutes, and it was funny because he thought I would start playing Taps and he didn't know what he would do. Haha! My bugle corps training has paid off big time. I just kept at attention. The best part, I remained at attention when the guns fired and didn't move at all and remembered to return to parade rest after playing Taps! Yay! Finally made it through the guns! I think now that I know no shells are going to hit me and that I talked to the guard members that shoot them, I'm not scared anymore. My ears hurt though. After both of the events he told me what a great job I am doing. After the second one, there was another blind person there that wanted a picture of me and my commander which was really cool. The other blind person said he wishes he could do what I do. It is a snowstorm outside though, so I can say that I rindered military honors in a snowstorm after today! Wow, I love serving my country!

Here's a day in the life of me, an honor guard bugler. First of all, let me tell you all a little bit about myself. I am 22 years old. I am totally blind and use a screenreader to read to me. If I didn't have a disability, I would enlist in the services right now, but being an honor guard bugler allows me to give back to my country. I am in a bugle corps called Bugles Across America. Our mition is to illiminate the need for digital bugles at military funerals and other events. You can read more about us at http://www.buglesacrossamerica.org

Yesterday was another day where I was honored to serve this great nation with Taps. I got to the funeral site a bit early, and as a guard, we listened to the service. It was a very nice tribute to the veteran whom I knew from volunteering at the veterans' hospital. Then we presented military honors. I got to play Taps inside though while the rest of the color guard was outside which was okay because it was pretty cold. Following the end of the service, the family thanked me and someone even blessed me for what I'm doing for my country. I felt so uplifted and inspired. It's a great way to serve without going into the military, which if I could, I would enlist right now. As I go through this coming week, whatever happens, country will always come first, no matter what. If it comes to it, I will even give up every day of my life to perform Taps for our fallen if it means the families and veterans won't have to hear the awful, fake sound of the digital bugle. Those who have gone before us in war time and peace have sacrificed so much, and this is the least I can do to honor them.