Posts to Veterans

Shared by Tom Puckett, Chair, Veterans at Wind Crest

We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, ‘Taps’. It’s the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, 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 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 did say they could give him 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 the dead youth’s uniform.

This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as ‘Taps’ used at military funerals was born.

The words are:

On August 1st, at 10am in the Wind Crest A&E, there will be a program hosted by the Wind Crest residents’ “FYI Presentations” group. The program will feature Rick Crandell (see photo below), who will speak about the Colorado Freedom Memorial.

The Colorado Freedom Memorial (pictured below) is the first memorial in America that is dedicated to ALL wars and ALL branches of service. It contains the 6,218 names of all who died from Colorado in those wars. It is located about 35 minutes away.

Our Veterans at Wind Crest group supports the Foundation for the Colorado Freedom Memorial, and we hope that all of our veterans can attend the August 1st presentation.

Click on the Youtube link (below) to see an inspiring 7-minute video about the Memorial.

-Tom Puckett, Chair

To: Veterans at Wind Crest

Mark your calendar for four upcoming events in the first half of July.

On July 3rd, starting at 11:30am, our departed Wind Crest friend Lt Colonel Pat Helms will be buried with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

On Friday July 4th, celebrate the holiday by attending the Fifth Annual Wind Crest Independence Day Parade, with its traditional parade of cars.

On Thursday, July 10th, at 1pm in the A&E auditorium, the Veterans Speaker Series will feature Tony Thomas, Director of the Fort Logan Cemetery. Mr. Thomas has a distinguished career as a cemetery director. And, he served more than 21 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and retired at the rank of Master Sergeant. He served two combat tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, one tour in Kuwait during Operations Desert Shield/Storm and a tour in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope.

Then on Tuesday July 15, we have the July follow-up to June’s presentation of Quilts of Valor. It’s in the Colorado Meeting Room at Wind Crest, starting at 10am. As noted below, we’ll honor Lee Frame, Steve Frank, Richard Porter and Art Tunstall.

From Tom Puckett
Chair, Leadership Committee
Veterans at Wind Crest
Website: Veterans-at-WindCrest.org

To Veterans at Wind Crest:

We now have our own website, and it’s located at this internet link: Veterans-at-WindCrest.org

I urge all of you to add a bookmark to your list of websites to review often. And, on its “Contact Us” page, it gives you the opportunity to write to us for improvements to be made in the future.

This new website has a Calendar of Events, news about upcoming special programs, and a listing of our current Leadership Committee.

Meetings and speakers will be listed, photos posted, and a list of website Resources for specific information about benefits, etc. This will bring us closer to sharing important information and changes to be made for improvements in our program.

Please take this opportunity to visit the website. We look forward to receiving your comments on the Contact Us page.

From Tom Puckett
Chairman, Leadership Committee
Veterans at WindCrest