TAPS is a familiar call so easily recognized, yet so challenging to play.

Leon Kirby has had three lessons and he's determined to perfect TAPS.

Why Kirby recently picked up the bugle has to do with something that’s been happening at military funerals around the country.

In fact, live buglers are being replaced by recordings because there simply aren’t enough buglers.

“I just don’t feel it’s right I feel like all veterans all active duty military members have earned the honor for their last ceremony their final ceremony to the world and their family members to have a live bugler standing there,” said Kirby.

So Kirby started up the Texas Buglers organization.

It’s a group that looks for people who can volunteer as a bugler.

“Our goal eventually is to make sure all of Texas is taken care of,” said Kirby.

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Texas buglers will provide free bugles and lessons to those interested.

The only trade off is that those participating must perform TAPS for fallen heroes.

Kirby is a veteran himself.

An accident during a tour in Bosnia left him permanently disabled.

But he feels this is his calling, his purpose. “I’m not ready to play a live funeral but by the end of the month, I will be.”

And he hopes many others will be joining him.