New Wheelchair

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oneleggimp

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Joined
Feb 23, 2014
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854
Location
Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan 48230 United States o
I have been a full-time wheelchair user since 1998. I had my power wheelchair since 1999 and it failed again in January. I had a repairman out twice to fix it and he finally told me he couldn't get parts for it and that he wouldn't recommend going out with it because it could strand me as it did in January. I tried to get a new one through Medicare and got denied. My Masonic Brothers from my Lodge helped me buy a new one outright and so did some of my fellow Shriners. Without their help I would be basically a prisoner in my house as I have been since early January. I am so appreciative of their kindness to me. Among other things I am the Assistant Director for Michigan for Bugles Across America - an organization that sounds Live TAPS for Veteran's Funerals (as opposed to the ceremonial bugle used for most funerals which uses a recording of TAPS. We provide this service free as a last service to the Veteran who has passed away. All our Buglers (Michigan has about 220 with one State Director and two Assistant Directors of which I am one) are auditioned and some are music teachers or professors or professional musicians so the level of performance is high. I had to pass up on three funerals because of my broken wheelchair as well as other things like not being able to take my wife to the Doctor or go myself, go grocery shopping etc. So this new wheelchair is a great Godsend for me. Thanks to my Masonic Brothers and fellow Shriners who have put me back in action.
 
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Great service by you and all your brothers. Good to hear things worked out.

I have to tell you when my Dad passed away going on 9 years ago, he had a Veteran's grave side service and in it they had the bugler with the recorded taps just because of what you said. It is hard to get those service men to do that. Just not enough to go around. But I will tell you it was the most impressive thing I ever witnessed first hand. The folding of the flag and presentation to my Mom made me break down. Even though it was a recorded taps it still hit home. I have never seen a full blown service like that but I am sure it would be even more impressive. Thanks again for the service because i am sure it means a ton.
 
I know exactly how you feel about the chair, as I have a friend who is in one as a result of a stroke at the age of 32. He is now on his 2nd chair, as a result of non repairable condition or lack of parts, sometimes these have to come from O/S. His biggest problem is that as a result of the stroke, he has virtually no coordination, and breaks his joystick control box support bar, I'm quite often called out to repair/fix it for him, as the repairman is about an hour away and he has to wait until several jobs are in the area before they come to fix it.
Even a flat tyre, they won't come to fix, I've repaired a few for him.
It is good work that the Masonic organisation does, and thank you for doing what you do, even though I'm on the other side of the pond, THANK YOU for what you've done for your country and the world.
Kryn
 
Just so everyone knows it for future possible need. Any honorably discharged Veteran (including those who were in the Merchant Marine in World War II - they were in harms way too) are entitled to Military Funeral Honors including having two members from their branch of service present to fold and present the flag. They are also entitled to have TAPS sounded. As jttheclockman mentioned there are not enough buglers in the various services to sound TAPS for every funeral which led to the ceremonial bugle with the recording. It's better than nothing but Bugles Across America (BAA) has over five thousand volunteer auditioned buglers in all fifty States and these volunteers are available to come to your loved one's funeral and sound live TAPS (where the person is actually putting air through their lips and the horn and really sounding TAPS live). There is NO charge for this service. It is our privilege to give this last service to someone who has served our Country. Just go to the Bugles Across America website and there is a simple "Bugler Request Form" to fill out and submit online.You will get an email acknowledgement of your request. Your request will go out to every BAA bugler within one hundred miles of your funeral location.When a BAA Bugler accepts the mission, you will get an email with their name and they will also contact you to confirm that they will be there.
 
Ernie, thanks for what you do and thanks to your Masonic brothers and Shriners for helping you continue. I have been to 2 services that had actual buglers playing taps and it was extremely moving.
 
Thank you for your service. I am also a vet and "traveling man", its good to hear about the things being done to honor those that served. During the 60's we did not have the same respect shown to us returning from Viet Nam. Semper Fi.
 
Thank you for your service to our country and to your brothers in arms
A special thanks to the "Brothers" who helped a widow's son.
So mote it be
 
Thanks for all you do Ernie - I'm happy to hear that you were able to get a new wheelchair. Thanks to your Masonic & Shriner brothers & friends for doing this.

I have been to family funerals where live TAPS were played and some where the recording was used. While both are quite moving and appreciated, the experience of live TAPS at a funeral is just awesome!
 
oneleggimp said:
I have been a full-time wheelchair user since 1998. I had my power wheelchair since 1999 and it failed again in January. I had a repairman out twice to fix it and he finally told me he couldn't get parts for it and that he wouldn't recommend going out with it because it could strand me as it did in January. I tried to get a new one through Medicare and got denied. My Masonic Brothers from my Lodge helped me buy a new one outright and so did some of my fellow Shriners. Without their help I would be basically a prisoner in my house as I have been since early January. I am so appreciative of their kindness to me. Among other things I am the Assistant Director for Michigan for Bugles Across America - an organization that sounds Live TAPS for Veteran's Funerals (as opposed to the ceremonial bugle used for most funerals which uses a recording of TAPS. We provide this service free as a last service to the Veteran who has passed away. All our Buglers (Michigan has about 220 with one State Director and two Assistant Directors of which I am one) are auditioned and some are music teachers or professors or professional musicians so the level of performance is high. I had to pass up on three funerals because of my broken wheelchair as well as other things like not being able to take my wife to the Doctor or go myself, go grocery shopping etc. So this new wheelchair is a great Godsend for me. Thanks to my Masonic Brothers and fellow Shriners who have put me back in action.
Click to expand...

Hello brother,
Does the new wheelchair is good?
I am very happy that you have solved that problem .
Good trip with him!!!

(Excuse my english) :embarrassed:
 
When my father died two years ago, we had a military honors ceremony from the local American Legion. They had a live bugler, and a rifle salute. They gave us six of the brass cartridges used in the ceremony, as well as the flag. I'm so glad I found out about them in time to schedule them for his funeral. They were wonderful.
 
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