After bugling for more than 40 years, a prominent Coupeville leader will experience a unique honor in May.

Rick Castellano, director of the Island County Museum in Coupeville, said he was thrilled when he learned he was selected as one of 7,000 buglers invited to ceremony commemorating the 150th anniversary of the “Taps” bugle call. That ceremony takes place May 19 at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Castellano has been a ceremonial bugler since he was 14. Now, at age 56, he’s played countless ceremonies and funerals as a civilian bugler for the National Guard, American Legion, VFW, Elks and others.

Castellano said that he feels strongly that every deceased veteran deserves a live bugler at his or her memorial service.

“I think it’s sad that many vets are honored with a digital recording of Taps stuffed into the end of a real bugle at their service, when I know there are plenty of us out there who can play the real thing for them. I feel it’s the least we can do,” Castellano said. “The veteran has earned it, their family deserves it, and it’s always a great honor and a privilege for the bugler.”

The call was first played in 1862 after being written by General Dan Butterfield, following the bloody “Seven Days Battle” near Harrison’s Landing, Va.

The Bugles Across America organization has lobbied Congress to make Taps the official song of remembrance for the U.S. military, and to encourage the use of live buglers whenever possible. It is hoped the mass bugling at Arlington will further their cause.