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We all in the United States have heard the haunting song, "TAPS" It's the song that gives us a lump in our throats and a tear in our eyes when we hear it played at a military funeral.
Here is the story that gave birth to that song and the words.
It all began during the Civil War during 1862 when Union Captain Robert Elli and his men were near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land during the battle.
During the night, Captain Elli heard the moans of a soldier who lay wounded on the field. Not knowing if the soldier was Union or Confederate, the Captain decided to risk his life to bring the stricken soldier back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire he reached the soldier and pulled him back to his encampment.
The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. He was dead! His son had been studying music in the South when the war broke out and enlisted in the Confederate Army without telling his father.
The following morning the father asked permission for a full military funeral for his son. His request was partically granted. He asked for a group of his band members to play a dirge at his son's funeral but was turned down since his son was a Confederate. Out of respect for the father they did grant him one musician, he choose a Bugler. The haunting melody we know today as "TAPS" was born. The musical notes and words were found in the pocket of his dead son's uniform.
I've never knew there were words to "Taps"
Day is gone.....Gone the sun.....From the lakes..... From the hills....From the sky.....All is well.... Safely rest....God is nigh
Finding light....Dims the sight.....And a star....Gems the night.....From a far....Drawing nigh.....Falls the night.
Thanks and Praise....For our days....Neath the sun....Neath the stars.... As we go..... This we know.... God is nigh.
REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY AND OUR FREEDOM.
My life started off with my birth. Mom was a black and white alley cat and dad was just traveling through the neighborhood. Two siblings and me. Each young child picked out a kitty, my luck I got the youngest, Gracie. That five year old was a terror to me. She grabbed me by the neck and held me like a rag doll. When she was through playing with me she simply tossed me to the ground. From those early times I made myself hard to catch. When she did catch me I fought and clawed and scratched her several times.
Her family was moving and I hid out so they couldn't take me to their new home. Up in the woods lives an old man and his wife. The man began to feed me but the woman of the house wanted nothing to do with me. She got the broom after me and chased me off. She would shoot at me with a BB gum but her aim wasn't very good. I heard her tell the old man get rid of that cat before she has kittens. She must have sensed that I was expecting. I did have three little babies in the back shed in a five gallon bucket half filled with sand. They both were surprised to find me and my new babies one morning in the bucket. I saw a slight change in her attitude toward me. She fixed a big box for my new family. Once my kitties were bigger she took us to an out building where the old man had cut an opening for me to exit and enter. We loved the new home. There was plenty of room for the kitties to run and play. One day when the kitties were older they went to new homes. It sure was sad to lose my kitties but that's life, I guess.
Later I heard the lady of the house say, " If that cat is going to stay I'm taking her to the vet and have her fixed." I spent two days at the Vet and soon came home. I can't believe what happened when I arrived back at their house. I got to stay in the basement with her. She attended to my every need. I had my own chair to curl up in and watch TV. Things were indeed looking great for me. We became friends after such a rough start. Two weeks ended way to soon staying in the basement. Looks like I'm going to be an outside cat after all.
I soon adjusted to my outside surroundings. I had my own living quarters in the shed leading to the basement. I began to hunt in the woods. You can't believe all the critters living in the woods. I've caught mice, rats, moles, chipmunks, snakes , lizards, squirrels, birds and rabbits. I always take them to the shed for them to see if I don't eat them. Most of the time they give me a treat and pat me on the back. They frown on me bring in birds.
I've been caught in his raccoon trap once at the garden but never again will my favorite food meow mix entice me into that cage?? I have a thing about entering doors as they open them. Once I went in his shop when the door was opened and he didn't see me. I got locked up over night and will avoid that from now on?? I'm a creature of habit, they laugh at me when I always know what time it is and come to eat. True is I can tell time by the sun?
I love to play with my catch. One day I brought in a chipmunk. I would toss it into the air and box with it. I would let it get away but spring to catch it again and again. What fun I was having with chipmunk. The darn thing ran up a tree and I spent the next hour waiting on it to come down and play soon more. They laughed and laughed at me and my antics.
They missed me the other day. I had slipped into the garage when she went in to get some soap. Bad mistake I spent the night and almost the next day sleeping until she found me and opened the door. I came out meowing like crazy telling them I didn
't like being locked in there. Oh, when will they learn?? Otherwise life around here is great. Sorry I must go hunting while they are asleep. I think I want bird for breakfast?? Later MEOW!!!
He had lived a good life and was well respected by everyone who came in contact with Speedy. He received his nickname playing baseball in high school. He played center field and if a ball was hit; it didn't matter how far over his head it went Speedy would always run and catch the ball.
Him and his wife raised three sons. They all had some of Speedy's likeable traits. Later in life Speedy's health declined and he was confined to his bed and a wheelchair. His wife made sure Speedy's every needs were meet. All the times I was around Speedy during his last days on earth I never heard one complaint from him. He was always a joy to be around and talk with. He still enjoyed life even in the condition he was living. His wife would ask him where he was going when he came through the house in his wheelchair. He would reply, I'm going to Dallas, Texas."
Speedy went into the hospital at Saint Thomas in Nashville to have a feeding tube inserted into his body. The next day I had to take my sister to that hospital for her last cancer treatment. While I had to wait on her I found Speedy's room and went and stayed and talked with him. He was impressed watching some men working high in the sky on a building. He was high in spirits as I departed an hour later to wait for my sister.
Arriving the next morning at his house where I was remodeling their house; the housekeeper said, "Did you know Speedy died last night?" I sure was shocked to hear this news. I didn't have the heart to work that day so I returned home.
The Church was filled to capacity with Speedy's friends and family. The service was an inspiring one and quite different to anyone I had ever attended. Friends and family told stories about Speedy that inspired, touched and brought tears to those close to him.
My favorite story his classmate told about the time they came to spend a few days with him years ago. Speedy was a big time fan of Tennessee football and his wife had just cooked a big supper. After the meal the two men sat down to watch the game on TV. The girls decided to do the dishes but Speedy said y'all go ahead and go shopping and we with clean up the dishes during half time. His wife sure could make a big mess while she cooked. Speedy and his friend got involved in the game and before they knew it the girls would be back from shopping. As the game ended Speedy told the friend they would put all the dirty pots, pans and dishes under the sink and he would clean them up the next day while his wife was at work. Speedy forgot about the dishes and several days later his wife found all of them under the sink. The Church was filled with laughter.
During the last few days everyone in Tennessee has had there eyes glued to our TV sets following the tragic flood in and around Nashville with the loss of lives and property.
Mother nature turned on the rain faucet for two days. Downtown Nashville Cumberland river poured over her banks twelve feet above flood stage. Thousand of homes and business were total under water. Eleven people to date lost there lives in the flood waters. Two men are still missing and a search has been under way trying and locate them.
With all the tragedy people suffered losing love ones and their homes, car, trucks some good stories are beginning to surface. I will share a couple of those good stories with you.
A woman was trapped in her home with the raging water all around the house. She smelled gas coming from the house and was on her cell phone with a 911 operator. She was afraid the house was going to blow up. The 911 operator warned her not to jump into the raging water that she would be pulled under by the strong current. Her other option; if she stayed in the house and it caught on fire she would be burned alive. Not very good options!! She begin to pray!!! All at once her angel of mercy appeared on his jet ski. "
Get on and let's get away from this house he said. Some 100 yards away the house exploded into a massive fireball. She told reporters that her angel of mercy drove a jet ski.
Many animals were displaced. Pets were lost to the flood waters. One woman was missing several of her horses. In the aftermath efforts to located them didn't look promising at all. She received a call from a friend that had seen what he thought was one of her horses trapped on an island on the TV
news. Sure enough it was her favorite horse who had been swept 14 miles downstream from her home. The horse was not seriously injured.
More heart warming stories are coming out of the tragic flood.
Nashville, Tn. is going through the worst flood in it's history. Over 13 inches of rain the past two days has caused havoc to it's citizens. Major flooding in downtown as the Cumberland River has reached an all time high 10 feet over flood stage and is expected to crest even higher by Tuesday. 11 deaths in and around the city so far today because of high water.
1500 visitors at the Opera Land hotel had to be evacuated Sunday. Major roads closed and under water. Saturday evening 138 cars and trucks were trapped on Interstate 24. One person was drown in their vehicle. Several semi tractor trailer trucks were also trapped on I-24. A large portable classroom came floating by the stranded motorist on the Interstate and was shown to disintegrate as other cars and truck slammed into it as it got lodged between a semi truck.
All local TV stations covered the flood and cancelled there regular programs. We missed the American Great Race for the first time ever. Our heart and prayers go out to those effected by this great disaster.
