– Mary Garrison/Tribune-Courier

Local woman revives a dying tradition in bugling

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Features Editor
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

MARSHALL COUNTY – Patsy Atnip is a dying breed. Having taught in the Marshall County School System for 24 years, she hadn’t thought much of taking up old hobbies like playing the trumpet until after her retirement in 1994. It was then, that she read about the Paducah Community Band, and under the direction of Doug Van Fleet, picked her old love back up, once again.

Since then, she’s taken to performing in several groups, including the Paducah Jazz Band and a German Polka Band.

However, the duty she takes most seriously is not one to her music, so much as it is one to her country and the men and women who fight for it.

Members of the American Legion Post 236 in Calvert City asked Atnip to consider joining their Honor Guard and Bugle Corp, and she proudly accepted. For the last year, Atnip has been playing the bugle for military services and soldier funerals. It’s something she said is not commonly found, these days.

“They don’t even have an actual bugler at Ft. Campbell,” Atnip said. “They’ve got the horn, and it’s like a little stereo — it’s pre-recorded for play.”

Atnip has foregone the trumpet and purchased an actual bugle.

“I wanted to get back to its origins,” Atnip said. “I’d like to find one that’s actually been used in these services before.”

To date, Atnip said she has played for approximately 25 services, most of which have been funerals.

“Since the veterans fought for our liberty and our freedoms — some returning from home wounded, or not at all — I feel if I can repay a veteran in some way, I will,” Atnip said.

Atnip said aside from students who occasionally perform on the trumpet, she is the only bugler in the region.

And she’s taken her duties to heart. Since joining the Honor Guard and Bugle Corp, Atnip has devoted her time to the American Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary, as well, aiding fundraising efforts.

Her efforts have not gone unrecognized. Last month, Atnip was presented with a certificate, signed by Gov. Steve Beshear and Secretary of State Trey Grayson by American Legion Post 236 Commander Tom Vasseur, thereby bestowing the title of a Kentucky Colonel.

Atnip is humbled by the honor, however, and said she intends to “volunteer my services as long as I am able.”