---
title: "To Remember & Honor: 30 Days of Real Taps"
date: 2026-04-27
author: "Laurie Stroud"
featured_image: "https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/30-Days-of-Real-Taps.jpeg"
categories:
  - name: "More"
    url: "/category/news/more.md"
tags:
  - name: "Featured"
    url: "/tag/featured.md"
---

# To Remember & Honor: 30 Days of Real Taps

**Special Feature**

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 significantly decreased over the years. Birmingham’s Dr. Matthew Burford, founder of Tactical Faith and dedicated bugler for 25 years, hopes to change that.

[![Buglers from a distance](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Buglers-from-a-distance-300x225.jpeg "Buglers from a distance")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Buglers-from-a-distance.jpeg)The “30 Days of Real Taps” campaign goal is to recruit 30 new Taps volunteers in 30 days.“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.”

[![Matt Burford playing bugle](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Matt-Burford-playing-bugle-200x300.jpeg "Matt Burford playing bugle")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Matt-Burford-playing-bugle.jpeg)If you’re interested in volunteering to keep this sacred tradition going, [click here](http://www.realtapsforrealheroes.com/30-days-of-taps).**30 Days of Real Taps.** This September, you can be a part of “30 Days of Real Taps.” This campaign’s mission is “to recruit 30 new Taps volunteers in 30 days with a special focus on high school and college trumpet players. Their participation will help develop the next generation of volunteer buglers and foster a lifelong appreciation for veterans and the tradition of musical service.” Volunteers are asked to commit to play Taps at 4:30 p.m. one day (or more!) in the month of September at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo. “Your performance will ensure that these heroes, and their families, receive the dignity and respect of a real bugler playing in the moment it matters most. Even a single day of service makes a meaningful difference in preserving this sacred military tradition right here in our own backyard.” No professional experience is required to participate. Volunteers simply need to be able to play “Taps” confidently and reverently. All necessary training, support, and coordination will be provided. “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. Whether you are a student or a seasoned musician, there is a spot for you in this campaign! Visit [www.realtapsforrealheroes.com/30-days-of-taps](http://www.realtapsforrealheroes.com/30-days-of-taps) for more details.

*-Melissa Armstrong*