[gwjack]

My brother wrote this piece for the local newspaper in Oologah, OK. It will be printed later this week.

gwjack

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!

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A fitting tribute to our fallen heroes

[tiger-one]

I received the following last year, from a dear friend, who is a WW2 Veteran, was a POW and a fine gentleman.

Do all, or any, of you recall the words written with the music of TAPS.
I never hear TAPS that I don't cloud up and most often cry.
The next time it is played for someone or at some ceremony, try to remember these words. Each verse is written to the notes the bugler sounds only once:

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 believe any one of you addressed that has heard TAPS played at the burial of a friend, or at Arlington, or anywhere else, has clouds in your eyes now. I do, just writing it to you.

[GulfWar1Vet]

We here in Columbia have a memorial service after the parade...and they play Taps. Hardly anyone speaks afterwards, very quiet moment indeed.

[DavidH48]

"Taps" is a lot older than the American Civil War.

British troops in the Netherlands, during the "100 Years War" were called back from taverns by a bugle call at 10:00 PM.

Tavern owners were told to quit serving at that time, and instructed staff to "Do Den Tap Too" (turn off the taps.)

Thus you get "Taps" the haunting sound of a day gone by, and also "Tattoo" (Tap Too) a military pagentry.

Please, this memorial day, recognize the American interpretation of remembering soldiers who died, and those declining few still around us.

-D