Leo Perez

If
any of you have ever been to a military funeral
in which taps was played;


Here
is something Every American should know.

We
in the United States have all heard
the haunting song, 'Taps...' It's the song that
gives us the 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 Elli was with his men
near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The
Confederate Army was on the other side of the
a narrow strip of land.

During
the night, Captain Elli heard the moans of a
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
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
the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.

The wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as 'Taps' used at
military funerals were 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
to have felt the chills while listening to
'Taps' but I have never seen all the words to
the song until now. I
didn't even know there was more than one
verse I also never knew the story behind
the song and I didn't know if you had either so
I thought I'd pass it along.

I
now have an even deeper respect for the song
than I did before.

Remember
Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their
Country.

Also
Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and
for those presently serving in the Armed
Forces.

Please
send this on after a short prayer.

Make
this a Prayer wheel for our soldiers ... Please
don't break it.

I
didn't!

Leo Perez

I got this email and went straight to the Heart. I am a Viet Nam Era Veteran and have folded hundreds of flags for families. VietNam Honor Guard.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Amazing story, thanks.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Great story


Now the real story:


BY ELIZABETH NIX


The origins of “Taps,” the distinctive bugle melody played at U.S. military funerals and memorials and as a lights-out signal to soldiers at night, date back to the American Civil War. In July 1862, U.S. General Daniel Butterfield and his brigade were camped at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia, recuperating after the Seven Days Battles near Richmond. Dissatisfied with the standard bugle call employed by the Army to indicate to troops it was time to go to sleep, and thinking the call should sound more melodious, Butterfield reworked an existing bugle call used to signal the end of the day. After he had his brigade bugler, Private Oliver Wilcox Norton, play it for the men, buglers from other units became interested in the 24-note tune and it quickly spread throughout the Army, and even caught on with the Confederates.


Not long after Butterfield created “Taps,” it was played for the first time at a military funeral, for a Union cannoneer killed in action. The man’s commanding officer, Captain John Tidball, decided the bugle call would be safer than the traditional firing of three rifle volleys over the soldier’s grave, a move which couldn’t been confused by the nearby enemy as an attack. As for the name “Taps,” the most likely explanation is that it comes from the fact that prior to Butterfield’s bugle call, the lights-out call was followed by three drum beats, dubbed the “Drum Taps,” as well as “The Taps” and then simply “Taps.” When Butterfield’s call replaced the drum beats, soldiers referred to it as “Taps,” although this was an unofficial moniker, according to “Taps” historian and bugle expert Jari Villanueva. He notes that Butterfield’s bugle call was officially known as “Extinguish Lights” in American military manuals until 1891. Since that time, “Taps” also has been a formally recognized part of U.S. military funerals.

tkvaughn Loc: Merrick, NY

I was in Navy for 28 years. Sadly been to several military funerals. Taps gives me goosebumps every time

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Thank you for sharing this.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

In 1968 I was ordered to escort my 17 year old step-brother's body home for burial. Taps was never more poignant than it was at the grave-side service.

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NMGal Loc: NE NM

I had read the first version several years ago. Personally, I still prefer it, even tho it may not be the true version. Taps is guaranteed to bring tears to my eyes.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

After many, many years in funeral service I think back on some of the many times I was at a graveside with a young widow and very often children or maybe an old saint who had lost a life long friend. I never became complacent or bored hearing taps. The haunting melody still brings a big lump in the throat and a tear to the eyes. Even to this day. May God Bless!

Lens Cap Loc: The Cold North Coast

Leo Perez, Thank you! In the 60's I was in Boy Scouts, and at the close of the meeting we would sing this song as the flags were put away. Only the first verse. I too never knew there was another verse, and yes, I get chills when I hear this being played.

sumo Loc: Houston suburb

Reading this story about taps brings back a flood of memories.

I was Hq Company Commander at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah 67-68. We were in charge of military funerals in all of Utah, southern Idaho, western Colo, and eastern Nevada. I had a funeral detail going out a lot so I created another team of 10 volunteers each. With two bugler’s. We were constantly going out on funeral details.

I heard taps played more than 50 times in this two years. Sometimes not played properly, it stills has a haunting sounds.

Soon I had to create another funeral team, followed by a fourth team. On a few occasions in 1968 all 4 teams were out at the same time. Those were very bad years for military casualties. 1967 we had 49 funerals, 1968 we had 63 funerals. I couldn’t attend all the funerals but went to many and my NCOIC attended even more. But the sound of taps today takes me back to those funerals every time.

One funeral stands out. Name was Lopez. This kid was from Ely Nevada and had been awarded the DSC, Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest military decoration just under the Medal of Honor. We had the funeral and a couple months later I flew back to Ely with General Appel for presentation of the DSC to his family. Senator Paul Laxalt was in attendance. That was a difficult time also to bring back to the family the trauma of past events

1969 I had 20 funerals, but I departed in March for assignment in Vietnam.

My NCOIC, SFC Currier committed suicide on his was to Colorado for another assignment. He had been to so many funerals I guess he just couldn’t take it anymore. Who knows why someone takes their own life, but I have felt bad all these years that I didn’t take him off some of those funeral details.

As I said taps, even the multiple variations about its origination brings back memory’s of days long ago. I have read the top version a few times prior

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks for that.

At times, it's not possible to have a proper musician play taps for a military funeral. I don't recall the details, but I think there are players assigned to play taps at funerals. That man made a recording that other players would use when they appeared in his place. Now, that's just the bare bones of the story, but I'm sure someone has more details.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Great story but. I just looked up the history of "taps". True it did take place at HarrisonsLanding VA. However the dead soldier was not a confederate and not the mans son, he was indeed a Union artillerist and the note was.not in the mans pocket but was a version of a song used to signal lights in the camp. Who knows if it did turn out to be a confederate song it might have gotten banned. Your was the first time the tune was played at a funeral. Again not to belittle your version.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Today many honor guards that participate in the funeral service for a military veteran include a soldier that presents an electronic bugle. He holds the bugle to his lips, pushes a button, and Taps plays electronically. This has been my experience at local church funerals. In the moment, you don’t think of it as anything less of a presentation and it still brings a tear to the eye.