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Organization: Bugles Across America
Number of Years of Service: 16 years, hours vary by need.
Nominee Services: Danielle volunteers to play taps "live" at the memorial for fallen heroes, such as veterans, police officers, firefighters, active servicemen killed in the line of duty, etc. There is a shortage of actual taps players, leaving many heroes with just a canned recording for their memorial. Danielle feels that it is their right to be honored and respected with the traditional service they deserve for their sacrifices.
Nominee Goals: She wants to make sure that all those who deserve this honor and respect are granted it. Over the playing of a recording, her presence at these services adds a solemn dignity to the memorial. It is a right earned by all those she serves; they are those who served us. Far too many are "short changed" in their final farewell by a growing lack of live horn players who volunteer for this duty.
Nominee Impact: Her presence adds to the dignified atmosphere at these memorials as the community and families of our heroes lay them to rest. There is a comforting calm her service brings to mourners. After the recent tragedy involving officer Falcone of the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, Danielle honored his memory by playing Taps at his funeral service in Carmel as well as in the memorial to him held at the Dutchess County St. Patrick's Day Parade in Wappingers. Over the years she has played for hundreds of fallen heroes, especially servicemen taken by the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and countless past heroes including many WWII vets. These people gave of themselves in service to our nation and communities, and deserve proper honors when it is our time to remember their sacrifices.
Why the Nominee Deserves this award: She goes out of her way to make sure that everyone she help can receives this honor. She has canceled vacations, lost days of work, and traveled hours at her own expense when needed. She feels very deeply that all who have earned this honor should receive it, and goes out of her way whenever possible to ensure they do.
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