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Teen's horn stolen; cemetery donates trumpet for taps
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Juan Carlo / Star staff Carl Wade, the officer in charge of the 1st Memorial Honors Detail, gives Andrea Tinajero, 16, of Santa Paula a trumpet out of respect for her patriotism.
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More from Local NewsHer horn was stolen, but the teenage trumpeter for the 1st Memorial Honors Detail hasn't stopped playing taps at military funerals.
After a thief made off with Andrea Tinajero's trumpet last month, a friend from a mariachi band lent her a horn, and Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura donated money to buy her one.
Tinajero, 16, of Santa Paula picked up that trumpet Friday.
She began playing taps at veterans' funerals in May 2006, providing a valuable human touch instead of the tape recordings previously used, said Carl Wade, the officer in charge of the 1st Memorial Honors Detail.
"Even with slight imperfections, you know that it's real, you know that it's from the heart, and it means so much to the family to know that someone is making an effort for their loved one," Wade said.
On June 14, however, a thief broke into a gated carport at Tinajero's home and snatched her trumpet along with other items.
She planned to rent a trumpet, but a friend from her mariachi days who no longer plays let her borrow his horn instead.
On July 8, she played the borrowed trumpet at what she considered her most important ceremony: a service for a World War II veteran buried in an unmarked grave since 1960, she said.
She said she was a little nervous because her friend's trumpet sounded and felt different from her old instrument.
But Wade said her rendition of taps went "quite well."
After Tinajero's trumpet was stolen, Wade started making discreet calls to people he thought might be willing to help the teenager get a new instrument. Terri Taylor Gonzalez, general manager of Ivy Lawn, took up the cause. The cemetery donated $225 to get Tinajero a good used trumpet.
Gonzalez, who calls herself the detail's "No. 1 Cheerleader," decided to make the donation out of respect for Tinajero's patriotism and the time she volunteers to honor veterans.
"What she does in playing such a beautiful salute for veterans, what it does for families, gets me a little teary just thinking about it," Gonzalez said.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 14, 2007 at 5:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Andrea, Thankyou for your deep respect for our fallen heros ! God Bless you for everything you have done for all of them !
Hope they locate the thief that stole it !
Posted by imbetnonit on July 14, 2007 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You are awesome Andrea!
Posted by alber on July 18, 2007 at 11:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This story restored my belief in today's youth. The news is saturated with all that is wrong with today's youth including their lack of discipline, their disrespect for their elders and their selfishness.
Until today, I didn't believe that the youth of today had any sense of patriotism, service, duty, honor, sacrifice or drive. Fortunately during today's news I caught this local news story that moved me so much that I spent a significant amount tracking it down so that I could share it with my friends.
What impressed me the most was the strong sense of service she has exhibited in her short life. I honestly get choked up thinking about the sacrifices and efforts Andrea has chosen to make.
I am also grateful for the service and sacrifice exhibited by Carl Wade and others of the 1st Memorial Honors Detail and of the donation by Ivy Lawn to their efforts. I am really glad this inspiring story was told!
I am really impressed by young Andrea and wish I would hear stories like this more often.
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