Posted on 05/29/2006 8:25:17 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).
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Today has been Memorial Day. Time to place the flowers...and place the flags. Time to renew our friendships.
...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
redrock
Falls the Night...
redrock
redrock
redrock
redrock
redrock
redrock
Thank you, redrock.
Thank you to all of our military!!!
redrock
"Will They Even Remember My Name??"---MEMORIAL DAY 2006--Thread#1
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1638343/posts
redrock
"My Daddy's Finally Home!!"--MEMORIAL DAY 2006--Thread#2
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1639138/posts
redrock
"The Betrayal of the American Soldier"--MEMORIAL DAY 2006--Thread #3
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1639960/posts
redrock
Final--"Fall's The Night"--MEMORIAL DAY 2006-Thread#4
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1640416/posts
redrock
PING
Thank you the Memorial Day weekend threads.
Bump!
I was touched beyond words when they played Taps at my fathers funeral-I knew I would completely lose it and sure enough I did. What was even more touching-and a complete surprise was that one of his neighbors was the one to present me the flag. He and all of my uncles served honorably-that was just what you did in our family when you turned 18. He served in the Army during Vietnam war time. He was always deeply proud of his time in the service. I am really dreading Fathers day coming up-my first Fathers day without him. I wouldn't be where or what I am today without him.
Bump for my Dad, who was proud to serve his country.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ceremonies/originoftaps.html
Peace to you and your family - the first year, the holidays, they are hard...
Bump!
Thank you! It has been tough....today was tough. Each day gets a bit easier yet there isn't a day that goes by that he isn't in my thoughts.
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