Ceremonial Bugle

The Department of Defense Ceremonial Bugle

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2000 directed the playing of Taps at veteran's military funerals. Although a live bugler is preferred, a quality-recorded version may be used. To address the issue and provide a more dignified alternative to a compact disk (CD) player, DoD turned to technology resulting in the development of the Ceremonial Bugle. An electronic device fits directly inside the bell portion of a bugle and contains a recording of Taps as performed during an actual ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The participating Service member holds the bugle normally while the recording plays presenting an image not unlike an actual bugler performing Taps.