and Taps will be played for them.

We must keep our thoughts and prayers strong

for their families as well as the comrades

they left behind continuing the cause.

TAPS

We in the United States have all heard the

haunting song, "Taps.

"It's the song that gives us that lump in our

throats and usually tears in our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song?

If not, I think you will be interested to

find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the

Civil War, when Union Army Captain

Robert Ellicombe was with his men near

Harrison's Landing in Virginia.

The Confederate Army was on the other side

of the narrow strip of land. During the night,

Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier

who lay severely wounded on the field.

Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier,

the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the

stricken man back for medical attention.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire,

the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began

pulling him toward his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines,

he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier,

but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern

and suddenly caught his breath and went numb

with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of

the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been

studying music in the South when the war broke out.

Without telling his father,

the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father

asked permission of his superiors to give his

son a full military burial, despite his enemy status.

His request was only partially granted.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group

of Army band members play a funeral dirge

for his son at the funeral. The request was turned

down since the soldier was a Confederate.

But, out of respect for the father, they did say

they could give him only one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the

bugler to play a series of musical notes he had

found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the

dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps"

used at military funerals was born.

The words are:

Day is done ~ Gone the sun

From the lakes ~ From the hills

From the sky ~ All is well

Safely rest ~ God is nigh.

Fading light ~ Dims the sight

And a star ~ Gems the sky

Gleaming bright ~ From afar

Drawing nigh ~ Falls the night

Thanks and praise ~ For our days

Neath the sun ~ Neath the stars

Neath the sky ~ As we go

This we know ~ God is nigh

I, too, have felt the chills while listening to "Taps",

but have never seen all the words to the song until now.

REMEMBER THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING

OUR COUNTRY. PRAY FOR THOSE LOST

AND HARMED WHILE DEFENDING US.

Honor Their Families By Remembering Them

In Prayer and Support!

The story above is just one of many. From some recent research I've discovered that there is a differing opinion even among many qualified historians and writers on the subject of the origin of this peice of music. Therefore, I invite you to visit the site below for a starting point if you'd like to do some research on your own to read the various versions of the story. You will find many other links available on the internet.

Here is one I found particularly enlightening and authoritative:

Jari A. Villanueva is a bugler and bugle historian. A graduate of the Peabody Conservatory and Kent State University, he was the curator of the TapsBugle Exhibit at Arlington National Cemetery from 1999-2002. He has been a member of the United States Air Force Band since 1985 and is considered the country's foremost authority on the bugle call of Taps. His website, www.tapsbugler.com includes a history of Taps, performance information and guidelines for funerals, finding buglers for sounding calls, many photos of bugles and buglers, music for bugle calls, stories and myths about Taps, Taps at the JFK funeral, ordering his 60 page booklet on Taps (24 Notes That Tap Deep Emotions) and many links to bugle related sites. Jari is also working on book on the History of Bugle Call in the United States Military.