The Family Tradition of TAPS

July 31, 2013

It has become a family tradition at Camp, to play an amplified

rendition of the military tune "TAPS" each night as the sun sets 

below the hills directly across the lake.

Yesterday, a veteran of the 82d Airborne Division, walking along the forest

path behind Camp stopped to thank us for this evening salute.

We are proud to honor all who have served our country.

Link to TAPS:

http://www.armystudyguide.com/downloads/Taps.mp3

Fading light dims the sight, 
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright. 
From afar drawing nigh -- Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun, 
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky; 
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
Then good night, peaceful night, 
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright; 
God is near, do not fear -- Friend, good night.

One of the stories that documents the history of TAPS

A Union Captain in the Civil War named Robert Ellicombe hears the moan of a soldier in the distance one night near Harrison's Landing in Virginia.  He decides to investigate and discovers that the solider, who is wearing a Confederate uniform, has died.  By the light of his lamp, he realizes to his surprise and horror that the dead solider is his own son.  The son had studied music in the South and without telling his father, had enlisted in the Confederate army.  The grief-stricken father requests a military burial for his son, complete with an army band.  His superiors decline, however, because his son was an enemy soldier, but give him the choice of one musician.  The captain chooses a bugler and using a short piece of music he found in his son's uniform, the tune for "Taps" comes into being and has been used ever since for military funerals.