July 2006                                                           The Megaphone                                                     Page 4

Taps

  This is a good time to remember this story as we approach the anniversary of the day that America declared her freedom.  We still vigilantly protect that freedom for ourselves as well as many others around the world.  Have a great 4th celebration!

Editor's Note: Although I've always requested personal accounts and articles for the Megaphone and stated that preference would be given to those materials, I've also customarily used forwards and material lifted from other sources for only one primary reason. The Megaphone is intended to be an outlet for all of us and I didn't want to dictate what readers wanted to see included.

  The following piece, however, points out one of the problems with using lifted materials. At many locations on the Internet, you'll find the account cited below has little credibility (check http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/taps.htm  or http://www.west-point.org/taps/Taps.html ). 

  For that reason and several others, starting with the August 2006 edition of the Megaphone, we welcome your personal submissions. Forwards and materials simply lifted from other sources will not be considered for publication in the Megaphone.

  Thanks for your support.

"TAPS" . . . If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in
which taps were played; this brings out a new meaning of it.

Here is something Every American should know. Until I read this, I
didn't know, but I checked it out and it's true:

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

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of 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 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 pocket of the dead
youth's uniform. This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals
was 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, too, 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.
I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.

And also those presently serving in the Armed Forces.

"GOD BLESS AMERICA"