TAPS
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Nothing like it and the impact it has on every true American. Evey time I hear it in a movie my mind wonders to the history and sacrifice made by so many that made and keep this country possible. It also pisses me off at the end to think what all that sacrifice is becoming. I wont start a rant, the song, the day, is enough.
I grew up in Arlington VA in the 60s, and remember going to the Arlington National Cemetrary as a kid. They'd hand out thousands of little American flags at the gates, and as kids, we'd go around placing flags on soldiers graves. We were assigned sections with adults supervising. I've heard they don't do this anymore. But I remember doing this the summer of 68 like it was yesterday.
When I was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, TX we would gather soldiers and tend the graves at the national cemetery there on Memorial day. Here's to all those who served, and especially to those that did not make it home.
My wife's father was over seas in WW2.He recently had a military funeral.It was played to close the service.It has a much more personal meaning to me since then..It truly is a sad sound.
When I was 5 I was liveing with my Grandfather and Grandmother , one day my Grandfather did not go in the field, I was told to wash up and we were going to the country cemetery, a neighbors son was found and sent back for burial after World War II, we drove on the little gravel road and up the winding road on a slight incline up a small hill, rare for flatland La. We got out of the old 40 Ford truck and my Grandfather took my hand, right away I knew this was special, my Grand father never took my hand, Grandmaw had her handkerchief and was quietly sobbing in it, on the hill was a squad of Marines and as we got closer I heard the sounds of the bolts ramming home, the boom was so loud for a 5 yr old boy, I jumped with each volley, then the taps rolled down the little incline over the waveing rice field and I saw for the first and only time my Grandfather cry, his son had come back though wounded but his friends son had not. I often think about this.
When I lived in Hawaii I walked around the paths at the Punchbowl Cemetery on Memorial Day and seeing all the headstones flying flags and covered in leis was a tearful site. The trip out to the Arizona memorial was a bit frustrating though... My wife and I were the only Americans out of 50, the rest were Japanese tourists.
My Stepmother's brother Ross, is one of the last remaining Combat Buglers trained by the Marine Corps.
He plays Taps over Veterans about three times a week.
Most of those are WWII Vets that have passed.
Those of the greatest generation that fought for us are now few.
He plays Taps over Veterans about three times a week.
Most of those are WWII Vets that have passed.
Those of the greatest generation that fought for us are now few.
I had the honor of playing Taps for my grandfather's funeral years ago. He was a WWII vet. (That funeral tore me up. I didn't expect the members of his American Legion post filing in and saluting his casket one by one -- nobody does ceremony like the military.) At the graveside with the honor guard, I kept thinking about the poor navy man who had to play for JFK's funeral (he chipped the sixth note) and how terrible it would be to have that happen at this funeral. It was a cold January day in the mountains of North Carolina, and I'm glad to say I was able to get through it without incident. To this day, that was the hardest gig I ever had to play.
JB
Are you a trumpet player? Professional?
In my prior life I was a classical trained trumpet player (MM Manhattan School of Music, 1977).
For those who want to hear a magnificent rendition of taps, the movie "From here to Eternity" has a character named "Prewit" (if memory serves) play taps at an emotional funeral at the base. Whoever plays that actual recording-its just great. Not sure how to get it alone, maybe on youtube. Its worth the effort.
Fantastic playing
Allan
Are you a trumpet player? Professional?
In my prior life I was a classical trained trumpet player (MM Manhattan School of Music, 1977).
For those who want to hear a magnificent rendition of taps, the movie "From here to Eternity" has a character named "Prewit" (if memory serves) play taps at an emotional funeral at the base. Whoever plays that actual recording-its just great. Not sure how to get it alone, maybe on youtube. Its worth the effort.
Fantastic playing
Allan
Yes Sir!
Wow, I haven't seen that name written in soooooooooooo long!
Without trying to boast or bore anyone (too late :O) I received a full scholarship for grad school to Manhhatan School when I didn't get into New Jersey symphony, something that Vacchiano 'promised' this job to me, well sort of. It was for 3rd trumpet asistant first. I was in the finals, but another great player got the job...and honestly, he deserved it.
Looking back, thankfully I didn't get the job. My life turned out much better than being one of those angry muscians who I hung around with. My oldest 2 friends still play/teach around town (NY) and one of them hates looking at his trumpet every day. It is a freakin fickle thing, and as you get older, it doesn't get any easier IMHO.
So sad, after a lifetime of working at this frustrating craft.
Allan
Wow, I haven't seen that name written in soooooooooooo long!
Without trying to boast or bore anyone (too late :O) I received a full scholarship for grad school to Manhhatan School when I didn't get into New Jersey symphony, something that Vacchiano 'promised' this job to me, well sort of. It was for 3rd trumpet asistant first. I was in the finals, but another great player got the job...and honestly, he deserved it.
Looking back, thankfully I didn't get the job. My life turned out much better than being one of those angry muscians who I hung around with. My oldest 2 friends still play/teach around town (NY) and one of them hates looking at his trumpet every day. It is a freakin fickle thing, and as you get older, it doesn't get any easier IMHO.
So sad, after a lifetime of working at this frustrating craft.
Allan
Bradley, sadest is when they play it for you. And I agree with you.
And at the start of every sporting event when they sing the national anthem, I always choke & tear up, even if they screw it up. Big wussy here.
Kash, Arlington National Cemetary will sober all up & bring tears & reality to those that visit. Gotta be there, Tomb of the Unknown.
And at the start of every sporting event when they sing the national anthem, I always choke & tear up, even if they screw it up. Big wussy here.
Kash, Arlington National Cemetary will sober all up & bring tears & reality to those that visit. Gotta be there, Tomb of the Unknown.
It's so interesting how music strikes such an emotional chord in the soul. Obviously TAPS is directly tied to emotional events, but even of you had never heard it before I wouldn't doubt it would have a similar effect on the listener. It makes me so proud to see the ceremony involved in military funerals, it's really the least they deserve for their service and dedication to the American people.
On another related music note being both of Scottish and Irish decent a bag pipe brings me to tears everytime and has since I was very young.
In terms of other funeral services I was very proud of my Dad's service. My Dad was an EMT and at his service they toned his last call and retired his number followed by a 30 mile procession with the Ambulances (full lights and sirens) and police escort to the cemetery. For a very sad day all I could think was how much my Dad would have loved to see that.
On another related music note being both of Scottish and Irish decent a bag pipe brings me to tears everytime and has since I was very young.
In terms of other funeral services I was very proud of my Dad's service. My Dad was an EMT and at his service they toned his last call and retired his number followed by a 30 mile procession with the Ambulances (full lights and sirens) and police escort to the cemetery. For a very sad day all I could think was how much my Dad would have loved to see that.
I hear ya bro. I've lost brothers in battle, and performed military funerals for guys I never knew. I can barely listen to the national anthem without crying for all of them. I'm not too tough. Taps brings out the tears. The folding of a flag brings back every memory I try to suppress. God bless em all.
I hear ya bro. I've lost brothers in battle, and performed military funerals for guys I never knew. I can barely listen to the national anthem without crying for all of them. I'm not too tough. Taps brings out the tears. The folding of a flag brings back every memory I try to suppress. God bless em all.
When I was growing up, living with my grandparents, my grandmother always cried when "Taps" were played; didn't really understand at the time. When in high school, another of my bandmates and I would play "Taps" at Memorial Day services and at the occasional funeral. Didn't bother me until it was the father of one of my close friends. Ever since then, I tear up...gotten more sentimental in my old age, I guess. But now I understand my grandmother.
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