Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake, from the skies.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
May the soldier or sailor,
God keep.
On the land or the deep,
Safe in sleep.
These are two of the many versions "of the words for Taps"...there is no "official" version, though the top one is most often heard.
During the late 70's, early 80's I was the bugler for the Navy Honor Guard unit we had out of NAS Dallas (Grand Prairie, Tx). It was my high honor and privilege to sound Taps at a number of memorial events and funerals.
To all who have served, in all branches of service, and those who answered the call while in civilian attire, may you, upon hearing that short but most eloquent of trumpet calls, find yourself at rest...be it Fiddler's Green, Valhalla, or in God's good graces-in the bosom of Abraham...and always remembered with cherished and honored memories, by those of us left behind.
A final note/reminder:
The National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress, asks Americans wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day, May 30, 2005 to pause in an act of national unity (duration: one minute).The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday. The Moment does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather it is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died for our freedom. It will help to reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred and noble holiday it was meant to be. In this shared remembrance, we connect as Americans.Posted by Guy S at May 30, 2005 11:01 AM