TAPS

TAPS
This has to be the only song in the history of the United States that can make even the most hardened soldier cry. This song represents the death of a soldier, a friend and a family member. All soldiers in the US military are members of a family. Today during training we had a memorial ceremony for the “dead” soldiers of the Battalion. From the Weapons standing on end to the boots in front, this is tough to take. During Roll Call the names of some soldiers present for the ceremony are called out. The soldiers all answer with “here top” or “here first sergeant”. Then the names of the dead are called out, the response is bitter silence. This starts the emotion to flowing deep down inside. As the tears start to well up inside TAPS is played. Even if you have led a sheltered life and never heard it, it hurts and the tears will flow. It has finally hit home for some soldiers, we are going to War. Crying as a soldier in this situation brings no shame and shows no weakness. In today’s society it seems that people believe that men do not cry except in weakness, but certain situations can not be bottled up inside. As the soldiers passed in their somber mood it is even apparent that they know it is training yet feel as though it was real. Soldiers are assured that we will ALL come back home safe because the cold bitter reality could cause soldiers to hit the wall head on and cause loss of life. They played Taps on two separate occasions when they laid Johnny to rest. I did not deal with it well. After Johnny died the somber feeling had me hovering near the wall for a while. The emotional low was the lowest I can remember since the death of a brother-n-law. While on active duty I attended the ceremony of another soldier not killed during combat but given the same respect as the combat veteran. Dieing for ones country is an honor but I do not want anyone in my unit to receive this honor. Lord Please bring us home safely.