BNSF News

Employee Remembers America's Fallen Heroes All Year

2010-06-03

Memorial Day 2010 is just a memory for most people. A few may have attended veterans' ceremonies to honor fallen American heroes, while others focused their activities on grilling out or spending time inside, away from the heat.

For Steve Kalowski (pictured right), manager, Intermodal, Automotive Operations, paying tribute to veterans is more personal -- and ongoing.

Kalowski isn't a veteran, although he graduated from a military high school. But he is state director of Bugles Across America, a nonprofit organization that provides someone to play "Taps" live at funerals or memorial services for veterans.

"There aren't enough military buglers to play for all of the veterans, and so in some instances, a CD recording is played at the services, or an electronic bugle is used," Kalowski said. "To me, that's not good enough."

Kalowski, who learned to play trumpet in fifth grade, became involved with the organization after his father-in-law, John Hosty, who worked for Amtrak in Chicago for 43 years, passed away in 2002.

"A volunteer member of Bugles Across America came to play 'Taps' for his service at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery in Illinois, and I asked myself why I wasn't involved with this organization," Kalowski said. "Since then I have been volunteering and playing Taps whenever possible. It is my opportunity to let the veteran's family know that their loved one's service to our country is much appreciated. No fake 'Taps' will do. It's truly an honor to play for each and every veteran."

The buglers don't have to be veterans -- just someone who can play a traditional bugle, trumpet, coronet or flugelhorn.

Kalowski has played "Taps" for as many as 11 services in one day. He and other volunteers attend the services, many at National Cemetery in Dallas.

"We want all veterans' families to know that their veteran's service counted, that every veteran is worth a live rendition of 'Taps' as a final farewell," Kalowski said.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering to help can contact him at texasbugler@aol.com.

Note: For more information about Bugles Across America, visit the group's website. (This site may not be available from work computers.)

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