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Our
heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of our fallen comrades.
The
History of TAPS 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 |
