Here is something EVERY AMERICAN should know.

    TAPS

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 usuallytears 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 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.

REMEMBER THOSE LOST AND HARMED WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY. And also
those presently serving in the Armed Forces..