Thursday, July 3, 2014
The
Volume 145 Issue 26 50 Cents
Putnam Standard
Hurricane, Buffalo set July 4 events By Michael Circle and Amanda White The Putnam Standard
Hurricane and Buffalo will host Independence Day celebrations July 4 with music, food and fireworks. The town of Buffalo will kick its celebration off with a 5K Walk/ Run. The run will begin at 8 a.m. at the Buffalo Town Hall. Following the 5K, the town will host a parade at 1 p.m. that will start at 18 Mile Creek and walk the road to the gazebo, where the rest of the celebrations will occur. Starting at 2 p.m., music will ring out from the park until 10 p.m. The genres will include country, bluegrass and gospel, with rock rounding out the celebration. There will also be a pie-eating contest, raffles and door prizes. Inflatables will be on hand from 2 to 8 p.m. Then, to close the night out, at 10 p.m., fireworks will light up the night sky in celebration of the nation’s birthday. Hurricane will begin its festivities at 8 a.m. with a run/walk supporting the West Virginia National Guard’s Gold Star Family Program at Valley Park. “We’ve got a lot going on that See July 4, Page 2
Paul Melton of Buffalo plays “Taps” at dozens of military funerals around the area, as well as the Winfield Memorial Day ceremony (bottom right). Melton is an Army veteran who met comedian and actress Martha Ray while serving (top right).
Man takes time to play ‘Taps’ By Michael Circle michael@theputnamstandard.com To many, a veteran’s funeral is among the most solemn and respectful events to behold. Old Glory lays across the casket, a three-volley salute rings out through the hills, and “Taps” is played. More and more frequently, the question is who will play the musical salute. Bugles Across America is a national organization that sends volunteer buglers to veteran funerals to play “Taps.” Since Jan. 1, 2000, all veterans are entitled to have at least two people to fold the flag and play “Taps” at no cost to the family. Veteran Paul Melton of Buffalo, a volunteer
member and bugler of BAA, has played his trumpet since he was in fifth grade. “I couldn’t tell you how many funerals I’ve played for, but very few for Bugles Across America,” Melton said. “I don’t know if it’s just that people don’t know about it in West Virginia. They play thousands, but I very rarely get a request for West Virginia.” Melton has offered his services for many funerals through the American Legion Post 187, Winfield office, but not as many through BAA. “We average about 50 funerals through the Legion a year with a firing squad with M1 rifles and ‘Taps,’ ” Melton said. Melton said the funeral directors know how to contact the honor guard for the funerals. When the buglers arrive on site, they are to
make contact with the Military Honor Guard, and wait for the appropriate time. Sometimes, however, there is not enough time to make the arrangements. “Many times, things happen so quickly, they can’t make the arrangements,” he said. “When you take people like us at the American Legion, it’s not an issue when the regular military cannot come to fold the flag because we have people who can do it just as well.” In the event of a request for “Taps,” the funeral director will contact BAA and an email will be sent to every volunteer within 100 miles of the funeral location, Melton said. Buglers need not be in the military. See Bugle, Page 3
Hurricane’s Rogoszewski commits to UNC By Zach Cumberland zach@theputnamstandard.com J.T. Rogoszewski has committed to play baseball at the University of North Carolina.
On the heels of a state championship, Hurricane pitcher J.T. Rogoszewski has committed to play college baseball at the University of North Carolina. He announced his commitment last week via Twitter: “Verbally committed to the University of North Carolina. Very blessed for this opportunity.” Rogoszewski was a Class AAA
first-team all-state selection this past season as a junior and also helped lead Hurricane to its first state championship since 2002. He finished the year with an 8-1 record on the mound and a 1.53 ERA. He’s also a standout basketball player at Hurricane. During his junior season he helped lead the team to the boys AAA championship game, where the Redskins lost by one point to Huntington. As for the commitment to North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast
Conference, Rogoszewski said he feels great about committing to a program with such a storied baseball tradition, even though he still has his senior season to play at Hurricane. “It feels great,” Rogoszewski said. “North Carolina is a great place and I am fortunate to have an opportunity to continue my baseball career there.” He’s already had the chance to See Rogo, Page 8