Special Featuring
If you’ve attended a burial service for a United States veteran, you have likely heard the military bugle call Taps being played. This special tradition, with its Civil War roots, is given as a final tribute to honor the veteran’s service to the nation. Unfortunately, the number of buglers who perform Taps in the state of Alabama has greatly decreased over the years. Birmingham’s Dr. Matthew Burford, founder of Tactical Faith and dedicated bugler for 25 years, hopes to change that.
“Twenty-five years ago, I was asked to play Taps at a veteran’s funeral when no one else was available. That moment left a deep impression on me,” Dr. Burford reflects, adding, “I realized the profound silence and meaning in those 24 notes, and how they spoke for a nation when words could not. That led me to volunteer with Bugles Across America.” Dr. Burford explains that over the years, he has seen a growing need for buglers in the state. This need led him to start the Real Taps for Real Heroes initiative. “We’re losing both the musicians and the tradition. I want to raise awareness and invite a new generation – especially students and young trumpet players – to carry this tradition forward.”
“Our mission is simple- to ensure every veteran receives a live performance of Taps. We aim to recruit, train, and inspire more volunteer buglers while educating the public about the meaning behind the call. It’s about honoring service, preserving tradition, and making sure the last goodbye is personal, reverent, and real,” Dr. Burford says. As part of the Real Taps for Real Heroes initiative, Dr. Burford recently traveled to Normandy and Brittany in France to play Taps at the American cemeteries. When asked to describe the experience, he shares, “It’s hard to put into words. Playing Taps at Normandy and Brittany in France was humbling beyond anything I’ve experienced. These are not just cemeteries- they’re sacred spaces where history and sacrifice meet. Standing there, horn in hand, surrounded by rows of white crosses, you feel the weight of what those men and women gave.” Dr. Burford also often performs Taps at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo and shares that this cemetery is just as sacred to him. “Whether it’s overseas or in our own backyard, the mission is the same- honor the fallen, comfort the families, and make sure no one is forgotten.”
While there are certain requirements to becoming a bugler with Bugles Across America, Dr. Burford explains that they are straightforward. “You need to be able to play Taps clearly and respectfully on a trumpet or bugle. Bugles Across America has an audition process- usually a video submission- and once approved, you’re placed on a volunteer roster. From there, you’re able to sign up for services in your area.” To anyone considering volunteering with Bugles Across America, he says, “If you can play Taps and have a heart to serve, you’re needed. It’s one of the most meaningful things you’ll ever do. You’re giving a family comfort. You’re standing in the gap. You’re helping a grateful nation say goodbye. And that’s something worth being part of.” To learn more about Real Taps for Real Heroes, visit www.realtapsforrealheroes.com.
-Melissa Armstrong
