TAPS is meant to Inspire

Author: Rhonda Siegers

In honor of our military for their valor and bravery, and for the freedoms that each and everyone of us share; we must all know the true meaning of the military song that is played at all funerals and that often brings us to tears. TAPS tugs at our hearts and clearly leaves us with a sense of pride, but also, true grief and sadness for those who have fought and died for our rights, freedoms, and our Constitiution.

In 1862 Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrisons Landing in Virginia. The confederate army was on the other side of a strip of land. During the night he heard the moans of a soldier who was severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if he was union or confederate, he risked his life to bring the man back for medical attention. He crawled through gunfire, reached the soldier, pulled him back and when the captain finally reached his own lines he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier and the soldier had died. He lit a lantern and 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, but without telling his father he enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The next morning, his father asked that his son receive a full military burial and a group of army band members to play a funeral dirge. His request was partially granted. They would only allow one musician for the burial so his father chose a bugler. In his son's pocket were a series of musical notes. The haunting melody, we know as "TAPS" was born.....

"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 the nigh, Falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days, Neath the sun, Neath the sky, As we go, this we know, God is nigh."

I now have an even deeper feeling when I hear "TAPS" played....how could you not?
God Bless America and our Military....