If
any of you have ever been to a military
funeral in which taps was 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 the 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 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.
Also
Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and
for those presently serving in the Armed
Forces.
Hey Randy I use to give the grunts rides all the time. I remember one time I stopped and picked up a bunch of guys just coming out of the bush as they use to say. I asked them when was the last time they had good steaks, they said it was along time. I told them to take one of the boxes they were sitting on. They asked what it was I told them about 85lbs of cold packed steaks. They were only one fire team they couldn't believe I would just give them the steaks for nothing.
Stories my how we could all tell stories no matter what brach we served in.
As I said I was in motortransport, during my first tour in Nam we were driveing for the Navy one night, well one of the young Navy men asked me if he could ride along, I told him to go get permission as I would be returning later. So he comes along with me it was a moon lite night and wer wer getting close to my base when all of a sudden there was a big explosion. I pulled my truck over cut the motor grab my rifle aqnd gear and hit the ditch. The remembered I had a passenger whick I couldn't see in the moon light. I waited a few more minuets nothing was happening so I started looking for this young man. He was so far away from me hideing behind a large sand dune I couldn't believe he covered that much ground in such a short time. I asked how in the hell did you get so far out here he said when he heard the explosion he was out the door and making tracks. The explosion was my trucks manifold pipe blowing apart. We both laughed we I started the truck back up.
In honor of the Continental Marines on their BirthDay, I will throw no sand against the wall.....yall know the rest of it.
I will post the Marine Corps Rules of Gunfighting....
Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.
Only hits count. A close miss is still a miss.
If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough nor using cover correctly.
If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.
In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics.
They will only remember who lived.
If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and running.
Have a plan.
Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.
Use cover and concealment as much as possible.
Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.
Don't drop your guard.
Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.
Navy Rules For Gunfighting:
Go to Sea
Send the Marines
Drink Coffee
Replies
If
any of you have ever been to a military
funeral in which taps was 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 the 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 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.
Also
Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and
for those presently serving in the Armed
Forces.
As I said I was in motortransport, during my first tour in Nam we were driveing for the Navy one night, well one of the young Navy men asked me if he could ride along, I told him to go get permission as I would be returning later. So he comes along with me it was a moon lite night and wer wer getting close to my base when all of a sudden there was a big explosion. I pulled my truck over cut the motor grab my rifle aqnd gear and hit the ditch. The remembered I had a passenger whick I couldn't see in the moon light. I waited a few more minuets nothing was happening so I started looking for this young man. He was so far away from me hideing behind a large sand dune I couldn't believe he covered that much ground in such a short time. I asked how in the hell did you get so far out here he said when he heard the explosion he was out the door and making tracks. The explosion was my trucks manifold pipe blowing apart. We both laughed we I started the truck back up.
I will post the Marine Corps Rules of Gunfighting....
Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.
Only hits count. A close miss is still a miss.
If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough nor using cover correctly.
If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.
In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics.
They will only remember who lived.
If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and running.
Have a plan.
Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.
Use cover and concealment as much as possible.
Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.
Don't drop your guard.
Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.
Navy Rules For Gunfighting:
Go to Sea
Send the Marines
Drink Coffee
sorry Navy guys, it aint your birthday :)