Taps turns 150 years old

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Antonio Gonzalez
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  There is an unmistakable 24-note melody that holds a special place in American military tradition. The bugle call taps is preformed each night in every part of the world where American forces serve.

This past Memorial Day marked the 150th anniversary of taps. Originally conceived to order lights out at the end of the duty day, the tune is better known for funeral honors given to military members who have devotedly served their country.

"The first time I heard taps was September 5, 2006. It was my first night at basic training," said Staff Sgt. Michael Boyd, Barksdale Honor Guard NCO in charge. "The only thing I remember was my training instructor telling me to stand against my locker and not to move."

Since that night, Boyd's experience and progression in the military has given him a better understanding of the significance of taps.

"Taps to me is the ultimate tribute for a fallen retiree or veteran from any armed service," he said. "Since taking over the honor guard, it means a whole lot more. Many times at military funerals, taps is what gets the reaction from the family. It's when you start seeing tears fall."

According to the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, taps also serves an additional purpose.

"Taps is powerful, it's part of renewing our commitment to the profession of arms," he said. "There are other ways that you can renew your commitment such as walking through a veterans cemetery and reminiscing on the sacrifices they made to allow us the opportunity to get where we are today."

Boyd agrees that taps serves as a reminder of military members' primary duty.

"I believe playing taps is a way to remind all military members that you are a member of the United States armed forces," he said. "It keeps that in perspective because at times we get so busy with our daily duties, we tend to forget the reason why we wear the uniform and the reason why we fight."

Airman 1st Class Tristan Crandall, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, also believes taps serves as a time of reflection.

"When taps is played it does make you think," he said. "It makes me think as the words go 'day is done, gone the sun,' so it's a good time to reflect on what you've done that day and recommit yourself to your profession for the upcoming day."

Senior Airmen Alex Gaunt, 2 CES EOD technician said after two of his close friends were killed in action in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, he has never felt more alive than when he hears taps.

"It makes me realize that even though life can suck sometimes, I'm still alive and hopefully I can do what they did and save lives," he said.

Taps can mean several things to different people, but one thing is certain, the men and women who have chosen to serve understand the possibility of having taps played at their own funeral.

"Knowing that taps might one day be played at my funeral gives me a sense of pride, and I feel reconnected to everybody who has had it played at their funeral," said Crandall. "That's a continuation of a tradition that I'm very happy to be a part of."