![\"TAPS.1\"](\"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TAPS.1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nVeterans Day, which occurs on November 11 each year, honors all veterans of U.S. wars.\u00a0 <\/span>Memorial Day on the other hand, observed on the last Monday in May, is a time to honor those Americans who died defending our country.\u00a0 <\/span>There is something quite special about a person giving up his life for someone else.\u00a0 <\/span>Just like the Bible says in John 15:13, \u201cGreater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>It has to be even more meaningful when you lay down your life for those who may not really appreciate it.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The story goes that one night during the Civil War a Union Captain, Robert Ellicome, was with his men in Virginia and happened onto a dead Confederate soldier.\u00a0 <\/span>It was a shock to find out it was his son who had been studying music in the South when the war broke out and enlisted in the Confederate Army.\u00a0 <\/span>Even though his son was in the Confederate Army Captain Ellicome requested a full military burial.\u00a0 <\/span>He wanted a group of Union Army band members to play a funeral dirge.\u00a0 <\/span>The Army could only spare one bugler.\u00a0 <\/span>The dad asked him to play a group of notes he found scribbled on a piece of paper in his son\u2019s pocket which was what we now know as Taps. It\u2019s a nice story, but unfortunately there isn\u2019t even evidence that a Captain Ellicome ever existed, much less the rest.\u00a0 <\/span>Thus another myth is born. <\/span><\/p>\n A more likely explanation is that during the Civil War, General Daniel Butterfield thought the traditional bugle call for \u201clights out\u201d was too formal so he reworked it a bit with his bugler, Oliver Wilcox Norton, and they came up with Taps. It was first used at a funeral a few months later when a soldier died and was buried in the woods.\u00a0 <\/span>Since the enemy was close at hand it was unsafe to fire the traditional three volleys over the grave, so Taps was substituted.\u00a0 <\/span>Not quite as poetic as the myth but at least it can be documented.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n There are no official lyrics to the tune but many verses have been adopted over the years.\u00a0 <\/span>Here are a few\u2026\u00a0 Day is done, gone the sun, Another\u2026\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,<\/span> And another\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thanks and praise, for our days,<\/span> Still another can be found here, along with a little narrative by John Wayne:\u00a0 <\/span>http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=usk81XVsE9o<\/a>\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong> It\u2019s surprising how many of the lyrics mention God.\u00a0 <\/span>Perhaps those who are willing to fight and die for our country know their lives are in God\u2019s hands.\u00a0 <\/span>You\u2019ll probably hear Taps a lot on Memorial Day.\u00a0 <\/span>I hope when you hear it, you won\u2019t just think of someone dying, but rather, think of someone dying for you.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGreater love hath no man…..\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Veterans Day, which occurs on November 11 each year, honors all veterans of U.S. wars.\u00a0 Memorial Day on the other hand, observed on the last Monday in May, is a time to honor those Americans who died defending our country.\u00a0 … Continue reading <\/a>Attending a military funeral can be quite moving.\u00a0 <\/span>It has the folding of the flag that\u2019s presented to the loved one, the gun salutes, and Taps.\u00a0 <\/span>Easily recognized, Taps is that poignant bugle tune, consisting of only 24 notes that urge us to remember those who have given their lives for our country with valor and honor.\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s played at military funerals, lowering of the flag, the end of a military day, and memorial services.\u00a0 <\/span>You\u2019ll hear it a lot on Memorial Day.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Just like Memorial Day, the roots of Taps come from the Civil War.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nFrom the hills, from the lake,
\nFrom the sky.
\nAll is well, safely rest,
\nGod is nigh.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nMay the soldier or sailor, <\/span>
\nGod keep.<\/span>
\nOn the land or the deep,<\/span>
\nSafe in sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n‘Neath the sun, <\/span>
\n\u2018Neath the stars,<\/span>
\n‘Neath the sky,<\/span>
\nAs we go, <\/span>
\nThis we know,<\/span>
\nGod is nigh.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"