As many of you know, I have one son who is currently serving in the United States Marine Corp, and two others who will be entering military duty in the near future. This time of year causes me to reflect upon those who have served, and those who are serving our great country, protecting the freedoms we enjoy, and often take for granted. I came upon two articles I want to share with all of you. The authors are unknown to me, but I felt they are worthy of sharing them with all of you.

Again, thank you for allowing me and my staff to care for your dental needs. Enjoy the two reads.

Dr. Rob…

Taps History

Here is something every American should know.
We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, “Taps”
If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were played; you probably would have felt it touch your heart. Perhaps the following will bring you new meaning and understanding of it.
Do you know the story behind the song? 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 Elli 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 Elli 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 now 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 would allow him to have, 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 his dead son’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 it; I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.
Our freedom is not free; it has been purchased at a tremendous cost, monetarily yes into the trillions of dollars. But more importantly and more essentially in the loss of life and limb of millions of Americana’s, who have put their own lives on the line for us.
I think it would be good for us to remember those lost and or harmed while serving to protect the freedom of our Country. I also think it would be good for us to remember those who are now serving in the Armed Forces. Who are now willing to purchase our freedom with their blood.
God bless this great country and may God bless you the great leaders of this country.

FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
• Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
• Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
• Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
• They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
• Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his Ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
• Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and
poverty was his reward.
• Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
• At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
• Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
• John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.
Some of us may take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn’t. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It’s not much to ask for the price they paid.