Michael Blaser of Woodward played “Taps” during Memorial Day services Monday at the Woodward Cemetery, his 60th consecutive year to so honor America’s war dead.
Blaser, a member of the American Legion Laurens C. Shull Post No. 211, started playing “Taps” as an eighth grader in 1965 with his dad, and he has played for every Memorial Day since then without missing.
In attendance for Blaser’s last service day were his daughter and granddaughters from Tennessee and his son and grandsons from Minnesota.
In addition to Memorial Day ceremonies, Blaser plays at funerals and other events throughout the year. He recently purchased a ceremonial bugle with a recorded version that anyone can play in the future.
Blaser is a lifelong Woodward resident. He drove a school bus for 50 years and was the Woodward Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief for 40 years.
“He’s never missed,” said one of Blaser’s many admirers. “He’s just unbelievably dedicated to Woodward, from the fire department to the school to the civic organizations. He has invested his life in this place.”
He continues to work as an electrician and serves on the fire department. He is also a ham radio enthusiast.
