“Taps” played live daily at Alabama National Cemetery in September
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A very special and solemn event is happening every day throughout the month of September at the Alabama National Cemetery.
“Taps,” the 24-note military bugle call that is played during memorial services and military funerals, will begin at 4:30PM daily until September 30, 2026, to honor our brave men and women who served in the armed forces.
The ceremony is organized by Matt Burford, a Samford University adjunct professor and former member of the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band. He’s also the founder of Real Taps for Real Heroes, an Alabama nonprofit that connects trained buglers with military families for ceremonies.
The group has lined up the following participants for the daily ceremonies:
- Three Samford professors
- Three high schoolers from Calera and Homewood
- Former Brigadier General and head of the VA in Alabama
- Retired trumpet player from the Army Band
Why this matters: Filling a critical gap in military funeral honors.
The nonprofit’s mission is to address the shortage of musicians available to play Taps at military funerals and ceremonies.
They particularly encourage high school and college musicians to participate, with Burford establishing a $1,000 college scholarship for student participants.
Below is a video shot by Bham Now on Sunday September 6th of the 3 minutes of silence and the playing of Taps.
“We want every veteran at rest on those grounds to be honored with the 24 notes played live.”
Matt Burford, the founder of Real Taps for Real Heroes
Want to participate this month or in the future? Contact Matt Burford at mburfor@samford.edu to secure a spot.
