When he was in the fifth grade, Dennis Wagner’s father bought him an official Scouting bugle – a shiny nickel silver-plated instrument perfect for playing at Scouting events. Dennis had been practicing the trumpet that year in school.
“The trumpet was not for me,” he says.
Hence, neither was the bugle. That’s OK; Wagner still found plenty to enjoy in Scouting. After crossing over from Cub Scout Pack 63 into Troop 93 of Lincoln, Neb., he soon fell in love with the council camp, Camp Cornhusker. He served on staff there for a few years. He also met his best friend at an Order of the Arrow event, and they have been close ever since. Wagner earned the Eagle Scout rank in 1984.
As an adult, he volunteered to serve as a commissioner and be on the executive board for the Cornhusker Council. He attended the National Jamboree and the National Order of the Arrow Conference.
The bugle was relegated to sitting on a shelf – still in its box – at his parents’ home. Later, it got moved into Wagner’s garage. Until he met Mariano Atanassov.
A love for Scouting
When Mariano joined Scouting as a Lion Cub Scout, he wanted to start earning merit badges.
“He asked, ‘When do I get to do those, Mom?’” his mother Beckie says. “As soon as he crossed over, he wanted all the pamphlets.”
As part of his homeschooling, the family incorporated the merit badge program into his lessons. Mariano found counselors for merit badges he was interested in, and there were a lot of them.
When he wanted to pursue the Bugling merit badge, his mother bought him an inexpensive instrument for $30. It didn’t play high notes very well, but it got the job done.
“I like playing the bugle at campouts; it makes it a more fun experience,” the 12-year-old Life Scout says. “It’s cool to work on a merit badge that not a lot of people get.”
Earlier this year, the Cornhusker Council had its Report to the State at the Nebraska state capitol where council leaders and selected Scouts deliver an annual recap to state officials. Even though he wasn’t part of delivering the report, Mariano still wanted to attend.
“If there’s a Scout event, he’s going,” Beckie says.
At the Report to the State, Mariano got to shake hands with the Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen. He also met Wagner there.
“I thought, ‘Wow, he’s got a lot of merit badges,’” Wagner says.
After striking up a conversation with his mom, Wagner learned Mariano was part of his old troop and working on the Bugling merit badge. That’s when he remembered his vintage bugle.
The gift of music
With the bugle in hand, Wagner visited Troop 93’s chartering organization during its next troop meeting. He met with Mariano and shared stories about his Scouting experiences with the troop. He also described how Mariano can serve others outside of the troop.
“There’s a shortage of bugle players in the United States,” Wagner says. “Whenever there’s a veteran’s funeral, they’re looking for people to play.”
Feeling confident to try new things and looking for ways to serve others are just a couple of qualities Scouting imparts to its members.
“I got way out of my comfort zone when I was a kid,” Wagner says. “I got the (now-discontinued) Beekeeping merit badge. I don’t even like bees, but I wanted to learn more about it. This is going to stick with you. Scouting builds values that last a lifetime.”
Wagner gifted his bugle to Mariano, who held onto the classic box and has since used his new bugle at Scouting functions. Because of his ambition, he has taken on multiple positions of responsibility in the troop.
“I feel braver now,” Mariano says. “I feel more confident with the troop.”
And yes, a few months ago, Mariano earned the Bugling merit badge.
Inspire Leadership, Foster Values: Donate to Scouting
When you give to Scouting, you are making it possible for young people to have extraordinary opportunities that will allow them to embrace their true potential and become the remarkable individuals they are destined to be.
Donate Today