Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Neer
MICHIGAN, Nov. 11, 2024 ~ Staff Sergeant Andrew Neer, a 42-year-old member of the U.S. Army Reserve, has played taps at more than a thousand veteran funerals around Michigan for the last 13 years.
As a military musician, he said this became a career goal after visiting Arlington National Cemetary, where he was deeply moved by the honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He came home and told his unit “If I’m not going serve in combat, I want to give back in some way.“
PODCAST:
Nov. 11, 2024 ~ Staff Sergeant Andrew Neer, a 43-year-old member of the U.S. Army Reserve, has played taps at more than a thousand veteran funerals around Michigan for the last 13 years. WJR Senior News Analyst Marie Osborne talks to the military musician.
(CONTINUED) Neer said there is nothing sad or depressing about his assignment because “It’s not about you,” rather it is about giving comfort to the family and honoring a soldier. He added that it doesn’t matter if it’s the funeral of a general or a homeless vet, all will be honored at their final resting place.
In addition to his role of playing at military funerals, Neer is an accomplished musician with multiple advanced degrees in music, currently serving as the conductor for the Warren Symphony Orchestra.
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