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Tooter Tutor · 03-20-2007, 08:41 AM

I've been gone for a while. I went to Michigan to buy a house for my family and me to live in after I retire from the West Point Band. Upon returning I noticed more discussion on performing taps for military funerals. Since I do this for a living, I thought I would chime in on this.

I don't mean to dissuade anyone from volunteering to perform taps, but there is money available for doing funerals according to Title 10 of public law. How one "taps" into it is something I have yet to learn. Since I'm on active duty, I'm already paid for performing taps, but when I retire, I'll be seeking out the funds prescribed in Title 10.

When I do retire, I'll post my experience in trying to get this money. For retired military such as myself it is limited to $50 dollars a day (which may mean per funeral- it is possible to do more than one a day). That isn't much but it helps defray expenses at least. I'll check it out down the road. Anyway, here is a snippet of the paragraph from Title 10, Chapter 75, Section 1491, U.S.C.:

(2) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe annually a flat rate daily stipend for purposes of paragraph (1)(A). Such stipend shall be set at a rate so as to encompass typical costs for transportation and other miscellaneous expenses for persons participating in funeral honors details who are members of the armed forces in a retired status and other persons who are not members of the armed forces or employees of the United States.

If anyone does have experience tracking down this money perhaps they can post.

Master Sgt. Gregory Alley, trumpet section leader, West Point Band

03-20-2007, 08:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tooter Tutor New Friend Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hudsonville, Michigan Posts: 25	Payment for Taps Available I've been gone for a while. I went to Michigan to buy a house for my family and me to live in after I retire from the West Point Band. Upon returning I noticed more discussion on performing taps for military funerals. Since I do this for a living, I thought I would chime in on this. I don't mean to dissuade anyone from volunteering to perform taps, but there is money available for doing funerals according to Title 10 of public law. How one "taps" into it is something I have yet to learn. Since I'm on active duty, I'm already paid for performing taps, but when I retire, I'll be seeking out the funds prescribed in Title 10. When I do retire, I'll post my experience in trying to get this money. For retired military such as myself it is limited to $50 dollars a day (which may mean per funeral- it is possible to do more than one a day). That isn't much but it helps defray expenses at least. I'll check it out down the road. Anyway, here is a snippet of the paragraph from Title 10, Chapter 75, Section 1491, U.S.C.: (2) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe annually a flat rate daily stipend for purposes of paragraph (1)(A). Such stipend shall be set at a rate so as to encompass typical costs for transportation and other miscellaneous expenses for persons participating in funeral honors details who are members of the armed forces in a retired status and other persons who are not members of the armed forces or employees of the United States. If anyone does have experience tracking down this money perhaps they can post. Master Sgt. Gregory Alley, trumpet section leader, West Point Band __________________ Gregory Alley, the Tooter Tutor www.tootertutor.com "...heaven is eating pate de foie gras to the sound of trumpets." Revd. Sydney Smith (1771-1845)