TAPS ...The Last Post
Jan 31, 2014 10:01:52 #
TAPS ...The Last Post
A few years ago, a friend visited the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in the village of Margraten,
about six miles from Maastricht. There lie buried 8,301 American soldiers killed in the battles to liberate Holland
in the fall and winter of 1944-5. Sgt. Bill Dukeman, 101st Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment,
Second Battalion, Company C (of "Band of Brothers fame) is buried there. He was killed in the battle of "The Crossroads"
in northern Holland.
The Dutch hold an annual memorial concert every September at the above cemetery to remember and honor
the Americans who died to free them in Operation Market Garden and subsequent efforts to eject the
German army from Holland. Sgt. Dukeman, like many other fallen GIs, was "adopted" by a Dutch family.
Dukeman's family in the States was contacted and hosted in Holland, and his grave site decorated each year
by his Dutch "family." They keep his portrait in their home, displayed in a place of honor. Fathers pass this
obligation down to their sons in Holland.
This version of the original "taps" music is played by a 13 year old Dutch girl named Melissa Venema. The
conductor of the orchestra is Andre Rieu from Holland . Many of you may never have heard taps played in its entirety .
The original version of Taps was called Last Post, and was written by Daniel Butterfield in 1801.
It was rather lengthy and formal, as you will hear in this clip, so in 1862 it was shortened to 24 notes and re-named Taps.
http://www.flixxy.com/trumpet-solo-melissa-venema.htm
A few years ago, a friend visited the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in the village of Margraten,
about six miles from Maastricht. There lie buried 8,301 American soldiers killed in the battles to liberate Holland
in the fall and winter of 1944-5. Sgt. Bill Dukeman, 101st Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment,
Second Battalion, Company C (of "Band of Brothers fame) is buried there. He was killed in the battle of "The Crossroads"
in northern Holland.
The Dutch hold an annual memorial concert every September at the above cemetery to remember and honor
the Americans who died to free them in Operation Market Garden and subsequent efforts to eject the
German army from Holland. Sgt. Dukeman, like many other fallen GIs, was "adopted" by a Dutch family.
Dukeman's family in the States was contacted and hosted in Holland, and his grave site decorated each year
by his Dutch "family." They keep his portrait in their home, displayed in a place of honor. Fathers pass this
obligation down to their sons in Holland.
This version of the original "taps" music is played by a 13 year old Dutch girl named Melissa Venema. The
conductor of the orchestra is Andre Rieu from Holland . Many of you may never have heard taps played in its entirety .
The original version of Taps was called Last Post, and was written by Daniel Butterfield in 1801.
It was rather lengthy and formal, as you will hear in this clip, so in 1862 it was shortened to 24 notes and re-named Taps.
http://www.flixxy.com/trumpet-solo-melissa-venema.htm
Jan 31, 2014 11:23:33 #
If that doesn't bring a tear, nothing will. Beautiful, beautiful rendition - and such a sweet horn!! Thanks, Jake, for posting. All of our vets should see this!!
Jan 31, 2014 11:37:46 #
My wife was a clarinet player in her college's band. Had to have her listen to Melissa. Said it was the sweetest horn she'd ever heard!!
Jan 31, 2014 12:27:33 #
HEART wrote:
If that doesn't bring a tear, nothing will. Beautiful, beautiful rendition - and such a sweet horn!! Thanks, Jake, for posting. All of our vets should see this!!
Thanks, hopefully the Vets will tune in. It is indeed profound!
Feb 2, 2014 07:25:03 #
Feb 2, 2014 08:08:55 #
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