Pentagon to test digital audio device to `play’ taps at military funerals

The Pentagon, chronically short of musicians to play taps at military funerals, is going to test the use of a new “push button” bugle that can be operated by an honor guard member.

A small digital audio device inserted into the bell of the bugle plays a rendition of taps that the Pentagon says is “virtually indistinguishable” from a live bugler. The person using the bugle merely pushes a button and holds the bugle to his or her lips.

“In addition to the very high quality sound, it provides a dignified `visual’ of a bugler playing taps, something families tell us they want,” said John M. Molino, a deputy assistant secretary of defense who announced the innovation Thursday. SF Chronicle [via Spike]