About Us
Bugles Across America, NFP (BAA) was founded in 2000 by Tom Day, a Marine veteran, following a change in federal law that ensured every veteran was entitled to military funeral honors including at least (2) military honor guard members, the folding of the flag, the playing of Taps, and the presenting of the flag to a family member. Due to a shortage of military buglers, our military honor guard details were equipped with a device that inserts into the bugle that would play a recording of Taps.
BAA believes America’s heroes deserve more than a recorded tribute. Out of that conviction, Bugles Across America was created to ensure that our veterans can be honored with a live sounding of Taps by a dedicated bugler.
The mission statement of Bugles Across America, NFP is to sound live Taps at military honors nationwide, while ensuring that each veteran is recognized with the dignity and respect they have earned through their service to our Country
Today, BAA has grown into a network of volunteer buglers across the country and several countries around the world. There are no dues or fees to participate. There are certain directives that must be followed. Bugles Across America is a not-for-profit organization built on volunteer spirit, patriotism, and a shared belief that every veteran deserves the sound of a live bugler’s final salute.
What to Expect After Requesting One of Our Buglers
When one of our bugler volunteers accepts a request to sound Taps for your service, you should receive communication from him or her, informing you of intent to serve your request.
- The bugler will arrive early at the gravesite, or requested location, make contact with the Military Honors Team, and then stand ready to sound Taps
- Our volunteers are required to look sharp, whether in civilian attire, an Official Bugles Across America Uniform, or if a Veteran, he or she may be dressed in either a Class A or Dress level (example, Dress Blues) uniform of the branch they served in. Some of our members are in Honor Guards, and may be attired in that respective uniform.
- All BAA buglers are required to pass an audition, demonstrating their skill level to sound Taps properly.