Thread: Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July to all our American friends out there ...hope you have a fabulous day ...anyone having a bbq?.....throw one of your steaks over here would you please

Linda i think were a bit Premature there behind us it's still the 3rd. oh well what the .......... have a great day, but this does not mean you can skive off.

Thats ok Dude, it will give em time to crank up the barbie lol

Happy 4th of July America.

Thanks all!! Yea, we're doing a BBQ, going to a movie-Pirates of the Carribean--then getting on our bikes and riding to the big local park to hear the symphony and watch the fireworks! An annual event for us. Thanks for throwing those patriotic wishes our way!!

Thanks to all! Finally got a day off and will be doing stuff around the house and partake of a BBQ.

Take care and have a great day yourselves!

Andy

Have a happy 4th, guys!
Enjoy yourselves.

A friend of mine passed this on to me. Thought it was interesting enough to share on this 4th of July!

Why "TAPS" is played.. and how it came to be!

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral
in which taps were played;
this brings out a new meaning of it.

Here is something Every American should know..
Until I read this, I didn't know,
but I checked it out and it's true:

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
learn 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 narrow strip 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.

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.

I, too, have felt the chills
while listening to "Taps" but
I have never seen all the words to the song until now.
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.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving
their Country.

And also those presently serving in the Armed
Forces.