Budget Cut Threats to Funding Live Taps Buglers Has Ended

WINCHESTER, Calif., Sept. 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Recent threats of budget cuts to New York's Military Forces Honor Guard might have silenced the playing of Taps by live buglers at military funerals in the state starting Oct. 1, but California based nonprofit Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) stood ready to provide stopgap support to Bugles Across America.

In January 2000, Congress passed legislation guaranteeing veterans the right to have two uniformed servicemen in attendance, a U.S. flag presentation and the playing of Taps at their funeral. Unfortunately, however, there aren't enough professional buglers available to play Taps, so the historic melody has often been performed through electronic bugles and portable stereos.

This was simply not good enough for Marine veteran and bugler Tom Day, so in November of 2000 he founded Bugles Across America with the goal of ensuring that a live bugler is available for every military funeral.  Day has since recruited volunteer buglers in all 50 states and overseas.

"It's only 24 notes, but it's so meaningful to that veteran's family," said Day to Fox News in 2010.  "I have over 6,000 horn players and we're doing over 2,200 funerals a month," Day added.  That's a tall order, even for an organization with individuals willing to travel on short notice.  Since that interview, Day's list of trumpet players has grown to 8,000 with performances at over 3,500 funerals per month, putting greater financial strain on Day's finances.

"I've recently lost support from a few foundations," Day told HHV.  "But thanks to your stepping in, we'll keep on going."

Help Hospitalized Veterans has been a supporter of Bugles Across America since 2001 when Mike Lynch, then executive director for the organization, heard about Day's mission and asked if there was anything HHV could do to help.

"I'm very grateful for the support of such a fine organization," said Day.

"The number of veterans passing each year is currently over half a million, so the passing of an American veteran is not only a loss to their family, it's a loss to our country," said Mike Lynch, president and CEO of HHV.  "HHV supports Bugles Across America because no veteran should pass without receiving this honor."