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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>My friend John sent this to me and thought you
might like to know about its history.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Well, I guess history never stop
amazing us, about Taps a gallant<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>story. If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Taps were played; this brings out a new
meaning of it.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Here is something
every Canadian and American should know. Until I<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>read this, I didn't know, but I checked
it out and it's true:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We in Canada and the<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>USA have all heard the haunting song,
"Taps".</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It's the song that gives us that lump in
our throats and usually tears<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>in
our eyes.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But, do you know the story behind the
song?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If not, I think you will<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>be interested to find out about its
humble beginnings. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <?xml:namespace prefix = o
ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Reportedly, it<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>all began in 1862 during the Civil War,
when Union Army Captain Robert<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison 's Landing in Virginia. The<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Confederate Army was on the other side
of the narrow strip of land.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>During
the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>lay severely wounded on the field.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Not knowing if it was a Union or<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Confederate soldier, the Captain decided
to risk his</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">life and bring<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the stricken man back for medical
attention. Crawling on his stomach</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>through the gunfire, the Captain reached
the stricken soldier and<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>began
pulling him toward his encampment.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>actually a Confederate soldier, but the
soldier was dead.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Captain<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>lit a lantern and suddenly caught his
breath and went numb with shock.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In
the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The boy had been studying music in the
South when the war broke out.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate
Army.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The following morning,
eartbroken, the father asked permission of<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy
status. His request was only partially granted.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Captain had asked if he could have a
group of Army band members<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>play a
funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>turned down since the soldier was a
Confederate. But, out of respect<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the
bugler to play a series of<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>musical
notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>dead youth's uniform.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This wish was granted. The haunting
melody, we<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>now know as "Taps" ..
used at military funerals was born.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The words are :</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Day is done..</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Gone the sun.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>From the lakes.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>From the hills.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>From the sky.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All is well.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Safely rest.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>God is nigh.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Fading light.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Dims the sight.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And a star.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Gems the sky.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Gleaming bright.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>From afar.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Drawing nigh.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Falls the night.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thanks and praise.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For our days.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Neath the sun.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Neath the stars.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Neath the sky.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As we go.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This we know.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>God is nigh.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I too have felt the chills while
listening to "Taps" but I have never<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>seen all the words to the song until now.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I didn't even know there<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>was more than one verse.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I also never knew the story behind the
song,<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>and I didn't know if you had
either so I thought I'd</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">pass it along.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Remember Those Lost and Harmed While
Serving Their Country. And also</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>those presently serving in the Armed
Forces.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Take care, John</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>