The playing of “Taps” always makes me shiver. It may be the most hauntingly simple, beautiful, yet sad song ever written. Truly a tribute to those who have served and died…
God Bless those who served, now serve, and will serve.
Mike
Yup, gets me too. Happy Memorial Day to all our vets here.
Being reared in a Military family, I cried every time I heard Taps … for the fallen one, and for myself, knowing one of those times I’d be hearing it over my Dads grave. That time came 15 years ago. Today I stand proud, all be it with wet eyes, and a smile, knowing that one has been welcomed into everlasting Peace.
It was played at my grandfather’s funeral. I can’t hear it without tears. It is a song that can’t fail to touch you, especially if you have ties to any military/veterans and have heard it played in their honor.
My father was a bugler in the mounted cavalry down in Monroe, CA. That was just before they decided to mechanize the army.
Every year for his two week vacation, our family would go up to Silver Lake near the Canadian border. Silver Lake is tucked away down in a valley, with huge hills or mountains going right down to the water on the east side.
Every night at 10:00 PM, dad would go out on the porch of the cabin and blow taps with his bugle. The song would echo through the mountains, giving the feeling of two or three people blowing taps.
Now when I hear it, my mind always reflects back to those days, a warm memory of my father and all of our fishing trips together.
Larry 
—sagefisher—
Mike,
I thank you for the post and I agree with you. It does the same thing to me.
YEP! Lump in throat moving piece. Haunting in some way?
A lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. Today while I was at the cemetery they played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes and then they followed with taps. I had to sit in my truck for a few minutes waiting for my eyes to clear enough to drive.
Rocky
Most times when I tear up over something that moves me, I try to hide it from my buddies so as not to look like a complete wimp. Its a guy thing I know. However as I stand and remember departed comrades during the playing of taps I don’t give a damm who sees them running freely down my cheeks. Luckily I am never alone in this.
Yes I agree but there is another – Sad but it also put me to bed many nights. BILL
Gentlemen, it’s alright for strong men to cry and strong men do indeed cry!
I agree whole heartedly!
Dang right it does.
Hair on the back of my neck stands up and a chill goes right through me.
I did Funeral detail out of 3rd BN. 47th Inf. Regiment at Ft.Lewis Wa.{Go Devils}
The first Funeral I did was one of the guys from my unit and his wife they were killed in a car wreck on their honeymoon.Nice kid,always looked me up to bum a chew.
I had been to military funerals before but after you raise your rifle over a friend,Taps really hits home.
I went to bed to the first few parts of it for three months in Great Lakes. I’ve always loved it and I miss hearing it. It makes me think of those fellow sailors that I went through boot camp with. It’s amazing what boot camp can do to someone. When we first got there, there were very few of us that knew each other, and when we left, we would have fought for each other. The camaraderie is amazing and one of the best parts of boot camp.
FYI- While I was in Naval boot camp, we had to learn “Anchors Aweigh”. There was a main highway that ran right through the base and a tunnel that connected the two. Above it was a sign stating that all recruit divisions had to sing this song with great enthusiasm while passing through the tunnel. Two different divisions meeting in the tunnel would have a competition to see who could drown the other out.
Another FYI- Taps unofficially has lyrics. Lyrics
I had the honor of taking a fellow airman home after accident in WWll. I asked for a bagpiper and taps in the distant. Yes grown men do shed tears BILL
YEP!..For me, there are 3 songs that moisten the ol’ eyes every time…
Taps, The Star Spangled Banner (as written, NOT stylized!), & Amazing Grace. I figured I wasn’t alone in my thoughts.
Mike
While at a military school, Taps was the sound that I heard every night at lights out and it always made me feel… something. I didnt understand it at 17, and now at 24, it still makes me feel that same sense of… something. I have never had the sorrowful honor of hearing taps played for a friend, but I know that I will hear it for my father someday and despite not being a veteran, I hope that someday it might be played for me.
May God bless all those who have served, and a heartfelt thanks.
Geoff
After 23 years of jumping out of airplanes for Uncle Sam, 3 1/2 of them in Viet Nam, and having attended way too many memorial services the answer is a resounding yes. Taps by a bugler that makes the horn weep, Amazing Grace by a really good piper and, as Tuber mentioned, the Star Spangled Banner unstylized all get to me.