NOW

HEAR

THIS !

NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES

STOCKTON

COUNCIL

  

 

March 2008

Monthly News Letters

"2008"

January

Feb 

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

President’s Corner

 

 

Sandy's Pick of the Month

I receive some very touching articles from different people throughout the month, I thought that I would take the time to share one of these each month.
 

TAPS


 
 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, 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 find out 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..

MAY GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR COUNTRY.

 

Previous News Letter

Mark Your Calendars

March 3, Board Meeting, Yosemite Club, Downtown Stockton,  11:30 AM.

March 18-20, Sea Air Space, Washington, D.C.

March 28-29, Naval War College, West, at San Mateo JC (PCR President hosting reception at hotel- Saturday evening.)

April 14, Board Meeting, Yosemite Club, Downtown Stockton,  11:30 AM.

April 17, Sea Chanters, US Navy Chorus- In Concert.  See more at: www.navyband.navy.mil/sc_history.shtml

May "Seminar At Sea", Royal Caribbean Cruise - TBA

May 12, Board Meeting, Yosemite Club, Downtown Stockton,  11:30 AM.

May 19, General Meeting, LeBistro, 11:30 AM. Guest Speaker

June 9, Board Meeting, Yosemite Club, Downtown Stockton,  11:30 AM.

June 23, General Meeting, LeBistro, 11:30 AM. Guest Speaker

July 4, Fourth of July Picnic

July 14,  Board Meeting, Yosemite Club, Downtown Stockton,  11:30 AM.

July 23-28, "Festival of Sail", San Francisco.

August 11, Board Meeting, Yosemite Club, Downtown Stockton,  11:30 AM.

August (TBA) USCG Picnic, Rio Vista.

August 25, General Meeting, LeBistro, 11:30 AM. Guest Speaker

September 8, Board Meeting, Yosemite Club, Downtown Stockton,  11:30 AM.

September 22, General Meeting, LeBistro, 11:30 AM. Guest Speaker

October 6,  Board Meeting, Yosemite Club, Downtown Stockton,  11:30 AM.

October 9-14 "Fleet Week". San Francisco.

October 11 & 12 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Air Show & Blue Angels; ship visits.

October 27, General Meeting, LeBistro, 11:30 AM. Guest Speaker

October 27-31, National NLUS Convention, Kansas City, MO.

November 10, Board Meeting, Yosemite Club, Downtown Stockton,  11:30 AM.

November 24, General Meeting, LeBistro, 11:30 AM. Guest Speaker

December 7, Pearl Harbor Commemoration & Holiday Party - Silent Auction, Gold Bucket Auction, Keynote Speaker, Installation of 2009 Officers.

 

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