For Veteran's Day 11/11/10

[muskybob]

Copy/Paste some of your tidbits & Veteran email

Story behind Taps

We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps."

It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

If anyone can be said to have composed 'Taps,' it was Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield, Commander of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, during the American Civil War. Dissatisfied with the customary firing of three rifle volleys at the conclusion of burials during battle and also needing a method of ceremonially imparting meaning to the end of a soldier's day, he likely altered an older piece known as "Tattoo," a French bugle call used to signal "lights out," into the call we now know as 'Taps.' (Alternatively, he wrote the whole thing from scratch, a possibility not at all supported by his lack of musical background and ability.)

Whether he wrote it straight from the cuff or improvised something new by rearranging an older work, Butterfield brought 'Taps' into being. With the help of his bugler, Oliver W. Norton of Chicago, the concept was transformed into its present form. "Taps" was quickly taken up by both sides of the conflict, and within months was being sounded by buglers in both Union and Confederate forces.

Then as now, 'Taps' serves as a vital component in ceremonies honoring military dead. It is also understood by American servicemen as an end-of-day 'lights out' signal.

When "Taps" is played at a military funeral, it is customary to salute if in uniform, or place your hand over your heart if not.

The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" ... . The words are ...

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 ...

[muskybob]

The Soldier

He was getting old and paunchy

And his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the Legion,

Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in

And the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies;

They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors

His tales became a joke,

All his buddies listened quietly

For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,

For ol' Bob has passed away,

And the world's a little poorer

For a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many,

Just his children and his wife.

For he lived an ordinary,

Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,

Going quietly on his way;

And the world won't note his passing,

'Tho a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,

Their bodies lie in state,

While thousands note their passing,

And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories

From the time that they were young

But the passing of a Soldier

Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution

To the welfare of our land,

Some jerk who breaks his promise

And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow

Who in times of war and strife,

Goes off to serve his country

And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend

And the style in which he lives,

Are often disproportionate,

To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Soldier,

Who offered up his all,

Is paid off with a medal

And perhaps a pension, small.

It's so easy to forget them,

For it is so many times

That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys,

Went to battle, but we know,

It is not the politicians

With their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the freedom

That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,

With your enemies at hand,

Would you really want some cop-out,

With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier--

His home, his country, his kin,

Just a common Soldier,

Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Soldier,

And his ranks are growing thin,

But his presence should remind us

We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict,

We find the Soldier's part

Is to clean up all the troubles

That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor

While he's here to hear the praise,

Then at least let's give him homage

At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simply headline

In the paper that might say:

"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

Author Unknown

[muskybob]

Armed Forces Birthdays

Q: What are the official birthdays of the armed services?

A: U.S. Army - 14 June 1775

U.S. Navy- 13 Oct 1775

U.S. Marines- 10 Nov 1775

U.S. Coast Guard- 28 Jan 1915 (Its predecessor U.S. Revenue Cutter Service was established on 14 Aug 1790.)

U.S. Air Force- 18 Sept 1947

http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usamhi/FAQs.htm#Army_FAQs

[muskybob]

The Vet

They soar in jets above the land,

They sail beyond the seas.

They march across the desert,

They crawl between the trees.

No matter what the role they play

Each chooses to protect The lives of all Americans.

For this we owe a debt.

Today, and every single day

'Til each returns safe and sound,

Please say a little prayer with me

For the troops: air, sea, and ground.

God Please... Grant them courage,

When times seem bleak.

Grant them strength, When they feel weak.

Grant them comfort, When they feel all alone,

And most of all, God, Please bring them all home.

Author Unknown

[muskybob]

A song I wrote:

A Man Came To Visit Today

By Robert C. Cieslak

Mommy, a man came to visit today

He said he was watching me play

Said he wanted to say Hi

And he was just passing by

And he said you would say it’s OK

Mommy, that man looked so sad

His face looked so tired and he had

A bad limp when we walked

From the park and we talked

About times that were good and were bad

Chorus

Although there may be miles to go

he always wants you to know

My Father’s true love is sent from above

He watches over and shows me the way.

He said that a long time ago

His young life was easy and slow

His little baby and wife

Were once his whole life

But called off to war he did go

Mommy, that man how he cried

As I walked along by his side

I touched his sad face

With my hand just to trace

The sad tears and then we embraced

Mommy, I gave him a hug

Then I watched as he rose up above

And I blew him a kiss

As he went through the mist

He smiled and said to you send his love

Mommy, don’t look so surprised

That man he was handsome and wise

From the feelings I had

I just knew he was Dad

He stopped by just to give us his love.

Chorus

Although there may be miles to go

he always wants you to know

My Father’s true love is sent from above

He watches over and shows me the way.

[muskybob]

Not verified but interesting:

Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, Honor Guard

Did you know.......

This must take a special kind of person.

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?

21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?

21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1.

3. Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time, and if not, why not?

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his

march across the path, he executes an about face, and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed?

Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5'10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30."

Other requirements of the Guard:

They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of

their lives.

They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two

years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn.

The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet.

There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of

theshoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.

Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV.

All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and

where they are interred.

Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

I don't know if you saw this in the when it was in the news but it is very impressive:

Funny, our US Senate/House took 2 days off as they couldn't work because of the expected storm.

On the ABC evening news, it was reported tonight that, because of the dangers from Hurricane Isabelle approaching Washington, DC, the military members

assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment.

They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!"

Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson.

The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.

[muskybob]

Happy Veteran's Day to all who serve or served. Please take a moment to reflect & pray for those who made the supreme sacrifice. God Bless One and All.

http://sagebrushpatriot.com/america.htm

[Rich L]

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all who serve and have served this great country. God bless you.

Rich L

[Capt Vince Pierleoni]

I have many relatives who served. I want to thank you Bob, and all the LOU veterans for your service and Patriotism for our great Country. May it return to better hands in Washington DC soon.

[skipper19]

To those who serve and have served our country and to their families, we love you guys and gals and may God bless you all for our freedoms and peace here in the USA. Salute!

Mark & Cher

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[on the lam]

Thanks Vet's for your service, in particular LOU vet's

[windburn]

SALUTE!!

[kliph]

If you can read this thank a teacher.

If you can read this in English thank a soldier.

[spoonfed-1]

Thanks to all that have served and all that are serving this great nation.

Glen

[FX]

A SALUTE and THANK YOU to all Vet's and to those now serving.

Shawn

[bigweenies]

Thanks to all who have and do serve. It is great that everyone can see all the sacrafices you make. Cant say I miss the Marine Corp but glad I did it , BW

[McDragon]

From a Veteran.

To all my brothers in arms, we wish you a happy veterans day!

To all the Red Legs at Fort Drum, take a look at this site. For those who don't know, Red Legs are Artillery Troops.

http://www.15thFAR.com

McDragon

aka Frank Baker

[mcds7]

i served in the U.S.Navy and would like to thank all you vets and active members for serving!.without you guys we wouldnt be able to enjoy the freedoms we have.....like fishing,hunting,enjoying time with our kids,etc.

Thanks for having our backs!!! heres to you

mike m

[lfthzmrk]

Thanks for the Salute. As a fellow Vet it is MY honor to serve. Having 24 yrs under my belt so far I am thankful for the continued good health to be able to continue to serve this GREAT nation of ours. I follow in the footsteps of those who went before me, who I honor with my service. I dare not speak for other Vets but I know that I am greatful for the many heartful notes of thanks and verbal thank-yous that I receive from those who know me. May the Lord bless you all my fellow members of the LOU!!

BTW Muskybob the Army National Guard was established Dec 13th 1636 in Massachusetts Bay Colony... Keep up the good work because I Love the LOU!!!!