Hello!
Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes! Today's Notes are in honor of
those who have bravely served our military. Specifically, those men and
women who have never come home. Today's Notes takes a more somber
mood as we reflect on those military personnel who have been missing in
action since their conflict ended. We begin with the musical honor that
befits those who have served and never returned.
The
history of the song known at "Taps" is one that has been given much
debate. Most military scholars affirm the account given in the above
video. This poignant melody has been used for "days end" recognition
by most branches of the military in modern times. It also has even been
utilized by the Boy Scout of America for some of its traditional
services. It however, has been popularized in its use as a portion of
Military Honors given at the funeral of our nation's heroes.
According
to Military.com, the rendering of Military Funeral Honors is mandated
by law if requested by the family of the deceased. No fewer than 2
military personnel, including 1 representing the heroes branch of the
military, are to be present. At the very least the folding and
presentation of an American Flag to the next of kin, followed by the
playing of Taps is to occur. (Military Funeral Honors - Military.com)
The
song is composed of a simple melody played on a bugle or trumpet.
Usually in the key of "C" major. This allows the trumpeter to not move
any valves during the playing and is the most common key for bugles.
Lyrics are as follows:
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 near
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.
If
you happen to play a trumpet, and can achieve near perfection on the
tune of "Taps", I highly recommend volunteering at your local funeral
homes to honor those who have served in the protection of our country by
being a "live" bugler playing "Taps". These men and women should be
honored as heroes. You
see at many of these Military Honors Funerals, all that is available
for "Taps" is a recording. Our fallen soldiers are worthy of so much
more... As President Abraham Lincoln put it, they have given "the final full measure of devotion".
Since
the age of 16, I have been honored on a few occasions to play "Taps"
for Military Honors. Recently, thanks to the heads up action of church
members who are veterans, I was allowed to honor PFC Robert Elijah
"Bobby" Mitchell by playing "Taps" at his memorial service.
After graduating from high school in 1949, Robert Mitchell enlisted in the Army. From his obituary: "Bobby enlisted in the Army in November, 1949. After a few months of training, the war in Korea escalated and he was sent overseas to the battle front, where he became missing in action on September 6, 1950." This hero was just 19 years old when he went MIA. This past Saturday, his memorial service was held on what would have been his 85 birthday after being missing for 65 years. Along with an Army detail, consisting of 3 marksmen and 2 attendants, I was given the incredible honor to provide Military Honors for PFC Robert Mitchell by playing his final "Taps".
The
Defences POW/MIA Accounting Agency is the group charged with keeping
record of those who are listed as missing in action. Those numbers are
staggering and we should be reminded of the sacrifice that these
military personnel have given.
As of January 28, 2015 those missing in action from World War 2 from all branches of the military and some civilian personnel
73,515
As of January 20, 2016 those missing in action from the Korean war from all branches of the military and some civilian personnel
7,828
As of 2015, those missing in action from the Vietnam War from all branches of the military and some civilian personnel
1,626
Even
since the Vietnam War, heroes from the United States have gone missing
in action. The numbers vary depending on the reporting from the country
where these brave patriots went missing. As we continue to have a
presence around the world, we will continue to see brave men and women
be listed in the MIA/POW category. Today's Notes is an effort to remind
each of us that there are those who need to be brought home. We honor
those brave enough to continue to search. There are families who
deserve our prayers and support as they go each day not knowing the
disposition of military family members. Thank you for your service and
sacrifice!!!
"Taps"
serves as a poignant reminder from a military perspective that there is
an end to this physical life for everyone. This is not a popular
notion for anyone, however it is everyone's reality. The true question
lies not in the depressing aspect of loss but in how one has lived.
Every day we are met with the decision to do right things or wrong
things. Our moral compass makes us who we are. If you look around you,
it is easy to see "good", "moral" folks around us. According to the
Bible, it is not good enough to be a good, moral person. (The
Gospel Of Jesus according to the Disciple Matthew 19:16-30 New
International Version Of The Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible
parallel) Ultimately, our decision regarding what to do with Jesus
will determine our eternal destination and have an effect on our
goodness and morality while here on earth. So we pause to ask that
question of you right now...what have you done with Jesus? There are
only two choices. You accept Him as the Son of God, sent to die as a
sacrifice for the wrong we do, and by doing so, providing a way for us
to have a reconciliation with Creator God that has been absent since
Adam made the original first bad choice. The other option is what the
Bible calls the only "unforgivable sin". Saying "no" to Holy Spirit as
He prompts you and draws you to Himself. (Matthew 12:30-32 NIV/The Message parallel) Here is an excellent article that explores the "unforgivable" sin further. ("What Is The Unforgivable Sin" by Andy Lau, October 10 2012 biblegateway.com)
To decide to deny Holy Spirit would truly make your "Taps" moment
depressing as you will be separated from God forever when you die.
Today,
you have an opportunity. You may have never served in our military.
You may never be called upon to defend freedom. But it is guaranteed
that you will have a "Taps" moment. At that point, will you be embraced
by the God who created you or separated from him forever? The
determining factor is what you do with Jesus. The bugler is warming
up...
"When It's All Been Said And Done" by Geoff Moore and The Distance from the 1993 album Evolution
"When It's All Been Said And Done" by Geoff Moore and The Distance from the 1993 album Evolution
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy
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