TAPS
Posted on 05/28/2007 10:05:09 PM PDT by redrock
"Taps"
Composed By Major General Daniel Butterfield Army of the Potomac, Civil War
"Fading light dims the sight, And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright. From afar drawing nigh -- Falls the night.
"Day is done, gone the sun, From the lake, from the hills, from the sky. All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
"Then good night, peaceful night, Till the light of the dawn shineth bright, God is near, do not fear -- Friend, good night."
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"TAPS" is the most beautiful bugle call. Played slowly and softly, it has a smooth, tender and touching character. The bugle call was written during the Peninsula Campaign of the Civil War by General Butterfield, with an assist from his bugler, Oliver W. Norton, in 1862.
"TAPS" went on from its origin as an alternative to "Lights Out" to become not only a signal that day was done, but also to say good-bye to a fallen comrade.
"TAPS" is customarily played at funerals at Arlington national Cemetery as well as at ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknowns there.
Its composer is buried in the Post Cemetery at the United States Military Academy at West Point (even though he did not graduate from the Academy).
...and a time for Pride. Pride in our Nation...and who we are as a people.
God Bless the United States of America....and the men and women who protect her.
redrock
P.S. Today I'm as proud of this Nation as I've ever been. The local cemetary has been FULL of people paying their respects....and it looks like a flower shop with so many flowers on the graves. America (except for those in D.C.) still 'get's it'!!
Lights out.....
Falls the night....
Lights out.....
Nite nite redrock.
Rest well and thanks for the special person that you are.
Nite Tonk.
Falls the night....
God is near, do not fear .......
Lights out....
Falls the night...
Lights out.....
Lights out....
God bless you, my friend.......
I join you in your pride for this great nation.
I had the opportunity yesterday to greet and thank 3 soldiers returning from Iraq on leave at the Sacramento Airport. That pride mentioned above is also extended to these heroes - one and all. Never will a member of our Armed Forces receive the type welcome of the 60’s as long as there’s air in my lungs.
Thank you, Brian, for having links to all of Mike's series. You made it really easy for me to find.
Below are the links to this year's postings.
MEMORIAL DAY--Thread Six--"The Betrayal of the American Soldier
"Freedom Is Not Free"---MEMORIAL DAY--Special Thread # 5
MEMORIAL DAY--Thread Four--"Welcome Home"
MEMORIAL DAY--Thread Three--"The Bodybags of Afghanistan and Iraq"--(Roger's Story)
MEMORIAL DAY--Thread Two--"My Daddy's Finally Home..."
MEMORIAL DAY--Thread One--"Discussions With a One-Legged Man"
Well done, my FRiend.
You’re right, we ‘get it’.
And we’ll never forget.
Thank you, redrock..God bless you.
Thank you, Kathy..It has been a moving day of remembrance of our fallen heroes.
Thanks for the ping Kathy. But I think I’m all cried out for this weekend.
Now I feel dead. :)
(((Kathy)))
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