By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Governor Matt Blunt has reversed a decision by the Missouri National Guard to only use digital ceremonial bugles at military funerals, in favor of using live buglers whenever possible.
Blunt said in a press release this afternoon (Friday) that he made the decision as a sign of respect for Missouri's military personnel.
Hal Dulle, Executive Director of the Missouri Veterans Commission, is pleased with the about-face.
I believe the original decision by the National Guard to not have live bugle was a funding decision, Dulle said, and I think the decision by the governor will definitely give endorsement to additional funding in this current legislative year.
Dulle says, though, that the digital ceremonial bugle is a great back-up that maintains the decorum of a military funeral.
It's an actual bugle with an electronic devise inserted deep into the bell of the instrument.