Bugler plays to honor fallen veterans

March 9, 2007

By SHARON McBRIDE

Frontiersman

PALMER - She was just 11 years old when the inspiration to play the bugle came to her.

&#8220We were watching an episode of ‘Law and Order' and they buried a World War II veteran,” said Nichelle Cushing, 15, a student at Palmer High School.

She said the characters in the show used a boom box to sound &#8220Taps” at the funeral.

&#8220She was horrified,” said Angel Cushing, Nichelle's mom. &#8220She immediately asked her daddy, ‘Are they going to do that for granddad?' And he said, ‘probably.'”

Her Dad's answer didn't set well with Nichelle, because her great-grandfather was a veteran of World War II, too. She said she didn't want him to have a boom box at his funeral.

&#8220I decided right then and there to learn how to play the bugle,” said Nichelle.

So her mom went out and got her a bugle from a pawn shop, and she taught herself.

&#8220At first, she was really frustrated,” said Angel Cushing. &#8220Tears would just roll down her cheeks, and she would say, ‘Mom, I can't get it right.'”

But after hours of practice and a lot of self-discipline, she eventually got it.

Nichelle said over the years she has taught herself to play a variety of instruments, including the flute, harmonica, trumpet and guitar. Learning to play the bugle was just a natural extension of that, but it was different this time, because she had a very

specific motivation.

That motivation also led her to Bugles Across America soon after learning how to sound &#8220Taps.” It's an organization she learned about while surfing the Internet trying to find more information on &#8220Taps” and bugles.

&#8220Our goal is to try to give the closure that live ‘Taps' gives to families, friends and other service members for their loss,” said Gene Horner, with the Alaska chapter of Bugles Across America. &#8220We come and sound ‘Taps' when the military cannot provide someone.”

Since moving to Alaska two years ago, Horner said Nichelle has played in more than a dozen memorials and funerals and has given several performances all over the Valley and Anchorage. And she doesn't have any plans to stop any time soon.

&#8220We're happy to have her,” Horner said. &#8220We have 24 members across the state, and for the last five years, no one has had to use an electronic version of ‘Taps' at any event.”

Nichelle said her desire to sound &#8220Taps” at her granddad's funeral had changed into something bigger.

&#8220It needs to be done,” she said. &#8220It's respectful to our soldiers, and they deserve our respect.”

Respect for soldiers is something her dad taught her, Nichelle said. Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Cushing just returned from Iraq. As a member of the 98th Maintenance Company, he was deployed for one year out of Fort Richardson. Sgt. Cushing came home last weekend.

&#8220We're so happy that he's home,” Nichelle said.

For now, she plans on rendering honors for every service member that she can.

&#8220Because of this, she has more sense of history than any other teenager that I have ever known,” said Angel Cushing. &#8220When veterans talk to her, she hangs on every word.”

&#8220I love hearing their stories,” said Nichelle Cushing. &#8220We owe them a lot.”

Contact Sharon G. McBride at 352-2250 , sharon.mcbride

@frontiersman.com.