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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 13, 2013 03:09 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Harry Readshaw |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Resolution: Bugle Call: Taps |
I will be introducing a Resolution honoring the 151st anniversary of the origin of “taps”, our nation’s most recognizable bugle call which is traditionally performed as a signal by bugle or drum, sounded at night as an order to extinguish all lights, or performed as a postlude to a military funeral. According to the Arlington National Cemetery, “taps was created during the Civil War. In July 1862 when the Army of the Potomac was in camp, Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield summoned Pvt. Oliver Wilcox Norton, his brigade bugler, to his tent. Butterfield, who disliked the colorless "extinguish lights" call then in use, whistled a new tune and asked the bugler to sound it for him. After repeated trials and changing the time of some notes which were scribbled on the back of an envelope, the call was finally arranged to suit Gen. Butterfield and used for the first time that night. Gen. Butterfield, in composing this call and directing that it be used for "Taps" in his brigade, could not have foreseen its popularity and the use for another purpose into which it would grow. Today, whenever a man is buried with military honors anywhere in the United States, the ceremony is concluded by firing three volleys of musketry over the grave, and sounding with the trumpet or bugle "Put out the lights. Go to sleep"...There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air.” Please join me in commemorating our most recognizable bugle call. If you have any questions, please see me directly or contact Margaret Tricarico at 717-772-5568, Democratic Extension 6168 or email: mtricari@pahouse.net Thank you! Previous co-sponsors: This is a new Resolution. |
Introduced as HR185