Memorial Day!!!

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The story of Taps
> > >
> > >
> > > We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives
us
> > > that
> > > lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes.
> > >
> > > But do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be
> > > pleased to find out about it's 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 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.
> > >
> > > 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 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.