Long Island bugler plays taps at as many military ceremonies as he can attend . Shortage of buglers prompted Congress to permit thousands of taps to be made . Taps has been played at military funerals since some time during the Civil War , according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs . Bob Smith has played at 3,000 funerals for the New York Army National Guard .
Long Island bugler plays taps at as many military ceremonies as he can attend . Shortage of buglers prompted Congress to permit thousands of taps to be made . Bob Smith has played at 3,000 funerals for the New York Army National Guard .