Thread: TAPs - Audio at the link

http://bands.army.mil/music/bugle/calls/taps.mp3

Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than Taps. Up to the Civil War, the traditional call at day's end was a tune, borrowed from the French, called Lights Out. In July of 1862, in the aftermath of the bloody Seven Days battles, hard on the loss of 600 men and wounded himself, Union General Daniel Adams Butterfield called the brigade bugler to his tent. He thought "Lights Out" was too formal and he wished to honor his men. Oliver Wilcox Norton, the bugler, tells the story, "...showing me some notes on a staff written in pencil on the back of an envelope, (he) asked me to sound them on my bugle. I did this several times, playing the music as written. He changed it somewhat, lengthening some notes and shortening others, but retaining the melody as he first gave it to me. After getting it to his satisfaction, he directed me to sound that call for Taps thereafter in place of the regulation call. The music was beautiful on that still summer night and was heard far beyond the limits of our Brigade. The next day I was visited by several buglers from neighboring Brigades, asking for copies of the music which I gladly furnished. The call was gradually taken up through the Army of the Potomac."
This more emotive and powerful Taps was soon adopted throughout the military. In 1874 It was officially recognized by the U.S. Army. It became standard at military funeral ceremonies in 1891. There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air.

- from an article by Master Sergeant Jari A Villanueva, USAF.

http://bands.army.mil/music/bugle/taps.asp

Airborne , nice aritcle on tap . Tap's can always get a tear from me. Short story. After my first year tour in Nam i was send to Ft.Riley,Ks for duty . I was assigned as NCOIC of "Burial Detail". We kept a Greyhound bus behind our barracks . Any time in the Mid-West a Nam Viet had to recieve honors we where there to honor him or her . I heard Taps so many times during that year of duty and it never failed to tear me up. As an Honor to Fallen Hero's and a Great country . That song owns me , It's in my Soul

Why we only laid down Nam vets during that period we where never told .
It's just the way it was

tencz57 ... thank you for your service.. I am so sorry ... Tap's is played to often for any of us .. you and your Battle Buddies will always be held in high esteem for your duty

God Bless and stay safe