Schumer: Live Buglers Will Continue To Play 'Taps' At N.Y. Military Funerals

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Taps will not fall prey to federal funding cuts in New York.

Saying "A great nation honors its fallen heroes and pays them the respect they deserve," Sen. Charles Schumer announced Wednesday that the New York National Guard will continue to have live buglers at military funerals.

Many feared that federal funding cuts would force funerals to switch to electronic recordings as opposed to live buglers.

Schumer said he received clarification that the feared budget cuts in this area would not occur for New York.

"The families of our fallen military heroes can rest a little easier knowing that their son or daughter, husband or wife, mother or father, sister or brother, will get the dignified send-off they deserve if the worst befalls them,"said Schumer.

"This is a great nation and a hallmark of a great nation is treating its fallen warriors with the respect they deserve, and by preserving the live playing of Taps we have taken a step in that direction today," Schumer added.

Taps is the musical performance that buglers or trumpeters play at military funerals and serves as a patriotic tribute to the veterans' service and sacrifice to this nation. The tradition has been in existence for 150 years.

Schumer noted that the live playing of Taps at funerals for veterans is clearly a priority among resident throughout New York State.