Robert Krupinski half-dreaded the summers he spent with the drum and bugle corps called Dynamic Royalaires. But the experience with the Oradell- and West Paterson-based junior drum and bugle corps taught him discipline, responsibility and how to memorize music and perform.

On the down side, he suffered from homesickness when the corps traveled to Pennsylvania, Ohio and Long Island to be in competitions.

But the lessons learned over those lonely summers between 1975 and 1977 have served him well. Today, he is one of a few musicians who can play taps on the bugle at funerals or memorials for fallen officers or members of the military. Although Krupinski, 45, of Clifton has retired from the Bergen County Sheriff's Department, he continues to volunteer his time to play at funerals.

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