Bugles Across America, NFP was founded in 2000 by Tom Day, when Congress passed legislation stating thatVeterans have a right to at least 2 uniformed military people to fold the flag and play taps on a CD player. Bugles Across America was founded to take this a step further, and in recognition of the service these Veterans have provided to their country, we felt that every Veteran deserved a live rendition of taps played by a live Bugler. To this end, we are actively seeking volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.
Bugles Across America now has over 7500 bugler volunteers located in all 50 states and growing number overseas. Since the Department of Veterans Affairs is expecting more than 1/2 million veterans to pass every year for the next 7 years, Bugles Across America is ALWAYS recruiting new volunteers.
Bugler Volunteers can be male or female. They can play a traditional bugle with no valves, or they can perform the ceremony on a Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn, or a 1, 2 or 3 valved bugle. The bugler can be of any age as long as they can play the 24 notes of Taps with an ease and style that will do honor to both the Veterans, their families, and the burial detail performing the service. There are no fees or dues to participate as a volunteer, although there are certain directives that must be followed.
Tom Day can be reached by email at our
contact form or by the contact information in the right sidebar on this page.
Important note to families of deceased, and/or requestors:
It is the right of every deceased Veteran to have a Military honors team attend the graveside service, to present the Flag at no charge to the family. Our volunteers perform Taps as a free service, and Honors Teams are sent out, at the expense of the US Govenment.