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December 1 / HISTORY OF TAPS
I was away for the Remembrance Ceremonies held locally and missed them. However, I often reflect at this time of year and thought that I'd share this with you. I thought those with a military background might find the following interesting, knowing "The rest of the story."
History of "Taps"
We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be pleased 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 narrowstrip 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.
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. Until recently, 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 it was sent to me.
- George
George OBriain / West Coast of Vancouver Isle / Brwdpatch@Aol.com |
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December 1 / LUNCH
Hey Laurel, boy do I wish I could have had lunch with all of you. Haven't been to McMorran's for so many many years! And, thanks, Sandy, for the tip on David Milne... I will look into it!
...Hello to everyone of you blessed souls in Class of '60!! More and more I am grateful for the experience of going to school WHERE we did, and WHEN we did.
- diane
diane wilson dyer / ddwithlove@excite.com
Some of you might want to check out Laurel's recipe for The Best Chocolate Rum Cake Ever - Gary
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December 7 / CHAT SNAPS
Just returned from a few days on the old sod that included a walk along the Galloping Goose trail with old friends, although we didn't make it past the first pub. It must have been the nip in the air that prompted memories of sleighrides down Eastdowne and ice hockey games on frozen ponds during those rare cold spells of winters past. On a warmer note, also bumped into Marj (Aaronson) Ethier at the Hillside Mall.
...As we re-connect, how about sending in snapshots of any get-togethers with your email chat?
- Gary
Gary Wilcox / Vancouver / gwilcox@direct.ca |
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December 8 / TAPS
Thanks for the item about Taps George. When I was a Wolf Cub many years ago our Akela was an old military man and he taught us all the verses. I can only remember about half of them, but they came out of the dark reaches of my old brain when I read your item. I belong to the Air Force association here in Comox and Taps was played for ten of our members this year. They were all WW ll vets, many of them spitfire pilots. We still have six left and it is fascinating to hear their stories. Two of them have just written books and when you read them it is like sitting at your grandfather's knee hearing a story. We see less bent over and frail people ar Remembrance Day every year. I guess we not quite so wrinkled have to keep that memory alive.
...It would be pretty difficult to send Christmas cards to everybody on the grad list so I will be the first to jump in here and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all God's Blessings throughout 2001. It was really wonderful to get together after so many years. Can't you just hear the theme from 2001 Space Odyssey when you type 2001.
- Tom
Tom Miles / Comox / teemiles@home.com |
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December 11 / "Pistachio"
Alison Shulnik, Lynne's daughter, has created a wonderful short animated film, "Pistachio," that can be viewed on the web at http://www.hypnotic.com/films.asp?ID=328 It's a 7 minute animation that was recently screened at the Palm Springs International Short Film Festival. Nice work Alison.
- Gary
Gary Wilcox / Vancouver / gwilcox@direct.ca |
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December 11 / Seasons Greetings!
I just want to take a moment to wish all of you -- and those near and dear to you -- a warm and joyous holiday season and all good health and happiness in the coming year.
- Therese
Therese (Bradshaw) Williams / chickiedoc@yahoo.com |
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December 13 / Season's Blessings
To all of you..
May the blessings of Spirit be upon you, May Peace abide in you, May the Presence illuminate your heart, Now, at this Season of Light and forevermore.
Love, diane
diane wilson |
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December 14 / Dreaming of a WARM Christmas
Hi there, all. Just want to send seasonal salutations to all classmates - and eavesdroppers - from a summery Australia. Hope you have a wonderful Yuletide, and a very rewarding 2001!! It has been wonderful getting back in touch over the past year, and the reunion was a real highlight! Cheers!
- Sandy
Sandy Forbes / Canberra, Australia / redoak@dynamite.com.au |
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December 18 / Merry Christmas from the Land of Snow
Merry Xmas to all the class and their loved ones. Just finished digging out from the second snow fall in one week here in Burlington On.. Looks like a white Xmas this year.
...Sandy, I just got an e-mail from Australia. From a fellow by the name of Ian Else. Can you believe it – 2 of us. Don't know anything about him yet. Greetings to all.
- Ian
Ian Else ielse@home.com |
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December 24 / Greetings
Merry Christmas everyone! Greetings from lovely Southern California where it's a sunny 72 degrees. No white Christmas for us. Keep well!
- Lynne
Lynne Schulnik / lynnelj@hotmail.com |
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December 25 / Christmas Cheer
Really, Rawlly,
Beastly, Jolly,
Rah.
Merry Christmas everyone!
- Gary
Gary Wilcox / Vancouver / gwilcox@direct.ca |
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December 26 / What a Neat Site
The "Sixties" are to be congratulated on such a great site. It receives a mention on the site of the class of 1963, HTTP://24.113.65.130/1963site.
...We have yet to do what has been done here with such success, pry loose lots of snap shots of those long ago times.
Regards,
- "Jungle" John N.
Jungle John / Vancouver |
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December 28 / Greetings from a 1962 Grad
This is a wonderful site! You are most fortunate to have a place like this to share memories and exchange information. I wish the 1962 grads could develop something similar.
...Gary, I remember you from your Carnarvon Park days. I seem to recall you were there nearly every day in the summer playing tennis. I sometimes played against your brother, Bill, but most of the time I was next door, playing lacrosse with Kent Chauvin, also a 1962 grad, and others.
...Keep up the good work. I will drop in now and then to "listen in."
- Andrew (Andy) Cleland, 1962
Andrew (Andy) Cleland / Flemington, New Jersey / acleland@aol.com
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December 29 / The year 2000
I wish to express my thanks to all who made the reunion such a success. The event has brought back so many great memories of our youth. This web page has also been a wonderful way to stay connected . I'm sure the future will bring more gatherings both big and small to relive those "Good old days."
...I want to wish all of the class of "60" a most happy and Healthy New Year
- Ron
Ron McKeever / Victoria / ronmckeever@pacificcoast.net |
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December 31 / Happy New Year
I'm trying to be the last person to write in the chat line in 2000. I echo Ron's comments about the reunion and really hope it won't be the last reunion of our class. Hopefully we can have a get together in Cedar in 2001 and a great class of 60 turns 60 birthday in 2002. Irene and I wish you all God's Blessings throughout 2001.
- Tom
Tom Miles / Comox Valley / woodnpots@home.com
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