Thank you and God Bless to those who paid for our

FirefightnRick · May 29, 2006

When I got home this morning the family and I went out for breakfast. Sitting right next to us was a gentleman wearing a North Texas Eagle X Line hat by Zephyr(Thank you Greenstock) and a tall young man that looked to be about 20 something. I of course asked him if they were NT fans/alumns and the gentleman said his son, the young man sitting with him had given him the hat. I then asked the young man if he went to NT and he said yes but was just now going back after a brief absence. He had been attending school when his reserve unit got called up to be sent to Iraq for 11 months and he just got back. I thanked him for his service and told him to please come out to the games and find us this Fall.

I thank all the vets who have paid for our freedom. I hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day.

Rick

PlummMeanGreen · May 29, 2006

When I got home this morning the family and I went out for breakfast. Sitting right next to us was a gentleman wearing a North Texas Eagle X Line hat by Zephyr(Thank you Greenstock) and a tall young man that looked to be about 20 something. I of course asked him if they were NT fans/alumns and the gentleman said his son, the young man sitting with him had given him the hat. I then asked the young man if he went to NT and he said yes but was just now going back after a brief absence. He had been attending school when his reserve unit got called up to be sent to Iraq for 11 months and he just got back. I thanked him for his service and told him to please come out to the games and find us this Fall.
I thank all the vets who have paid for our freedom. I hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day.
Rick
←

Watching "Saving Private Ryan" the other night (albeit a Hollywood production) still makes this American thankful for our WWII generation, too, and the sacrifices they all made to make it where (among many things) we can express our opinions even on such forums as a sports message board.

A Texas-size and heart-felt thanks to all of you WWI, WWII, Korean, Viet Nam, Desert Storm and Iraqi veterans.

DeepGreen · May 29, 2006

As a veteran myself, I too appreciate the sacrifices made by military men and women who cam e before and after me. What's sad is that out of approximately 20 homes on my block, a total of three are displaying the American flag today. What a sad testimonial to the state of our country and our people.

MeanGreen61 · May 29, 2006

As a veteran myself, I too appreciate the sacrifices made by military men and women who cam e before and after me.
←

AMEN to that. You see and learn things that you carry with you the rest of your life.

BleedGreen64 · May 30, 2006

Right on Plum but lets not forget the others who sacrificed. Memorial Day - then called Decoration Day - started in 1868 after the War Between the States. Lets remember those who for in the Revolution, War of 1812, Mexican War, WTBS - both sides - and the Spanish American War. Although it is theoretically for those killed in the war I think anyone who served even in peace time - eligible to be called up at anytime - should be remember too.

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were

played; this brings out a new meaning of it.

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.

Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those

presently serving in the Armed Forces.

PlummMeanGreen · May 30, 2006

Right on Plum but lets not forget the others who sacrificed. Memorial Day - then called Decoration Day - started in 1868 after the War Between the States. Lets remember those who for in the Revolution, War of 1812, Mexican War, WTBS - both sides - and the Spanish American War. Although it is theoretically for those killed in the war I think anyone who served even in peace time - eligible to be called up at anytime - should be remember too.
If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were
played; this brings out a new meaning of it.
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.
Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those
presently serving in the Armed Forces.
←

Great story and a great post, BleedGreen64

LongJim · May 30, 2006

Thanks to all who serve, and have served.

FireFightnJoey · May 31, 2006

Good story, but an urban legend. But the origins of Taps is listed on this link.

Taps origin - urban legend link

I have two buddies about to be sent to Iraq in a couple months. One is an Apache pilot and will most likely see action. It takes a whole new meaning when you're close to someone actually going over there.

It's hard to put into words our appreciation of these men and women, but I never miss a chance to say thankyou.