The musical arrangement known as “Taps” has been played as a final salute to our service men and women since the Civil War. For many years, a bugler would play the farewell tune. But in the early 2000’s, the military began to experience a shortage of buglers.
“That’s a whole lost less than a man who has given his life for his country, then you give people second rate funerals. And that’s second rate,” said Herman Faulk.
For several years Faulk received stacks of letters from people desperate for a bugler. Some requests came at a moment’s notice, requiring Faulk to pick up and go the following day.
At 86, Faulk’s bugling days have come to an end due to doctors orders. But he can’t help but pick up and play the song that’s brought so many to tears. Faulk’s journey as bugler started many years ago as boy who hitch hiked several miles to take trumpet lessons; to a young man participating in the military academy band at west point, to a World war II veteran and member of Bugles Across America.
