Wis. veteran's stolen trumpet replaced with brand new instrument

An army reservist from Sun Prairie is making music once again after a Wisconsin company gave him a generous gift.

Matt Miller’s beloved trumpet was stolen from his truck on veteran’s day in Milwaukee. He scoured pawn shops and web sites trying to find his horn, but came up empty-handed.

Getzen Company in Elkhorn decided to help out. They manufacture musical instruments. The company is in the process of making several new trumpets to celebrate their 80th anniversary next year. President Brett Getzen told Miller he could be the first owner of one of the brand new trumpets.

“Once in a lifetime -- or more than once in a lifetime -- that this would happen,” said Miller.

“He will actually be the first person in the world to own one of these,” said Getzen.

Miller was in Milwaukee on Veteran’s Day when someone smashed the windows on his truck and stole the trumpet he’s owned for 20 years.

“It was a very heartbreaking story to see Matt’s trumpet get stolen on Veteran’s Day, which was the worst part about it,” said Getzen.

Miller had the trumpet throughout his tour serving in Iraq. He’s even played Taps at funerals for his fellow soldiers.

“All the experiences you have, the good and bad things you go through with a horn, you can’t describe the sentimental value that goes along with that,” said Miller.

“I know personally trumpets that aren’t just “things”, there is emotional bond to them,” added Getzen.

Getzen gave Miller the new trumpet valued at around $3,000.

“I opened it up, I didn’t even want to touch it, it looked beautiful. I don’t even want to get finger prints on it, it looks awesome,” said Miller.

Getzen says the reason for the gift is simple. “Just as a way of thanking him for service. I just wanted to reach out and make sure he had another trumpet to replace that one,” he said. “Compared to the sacrifices he’s made, it’s nothing,”

It’s a gesture that for Miller, hits all the right notes.

“Thank you is a serious understatement. I’m eternally grateful for you reaching out and doing this,” Miller told Getzen.

Miller says he re-enlisted in the Army reserves this summer for at least another four years. He plans to continue playing the trumpet along with other musicians in the army.