TAPS: Michael Van Strien

My Friends,

Whenever I hear the familiar notes of “Taps”, tears always come to my eyes. I’ve never known the full story of this ‘martial’ song, which is so often played to honor the fallen ... it always sounds so sad.

Read about the song, and you’ll see and hear and I, for one, came away hearing this wonderful song in a new manner. Taps now will bring me to a state of honor and joy for my comrades in arms, not sadness.

God is good.
Every Breath, His Grace.
Michael

The conductor of the orchestra is Andre Rieu from Holland. The young lady, Melissa Venema, her trumpet, and her rendition of Taps is guaranteed to make your hair stand on end.

Many of you may never have heard Taps played in its entirety, for all of the men and women that have died for you to have the freedom you have in America. This is an opportunity you won't want to miss and I guarantee you'll never forget it. Amazingly beautiful, Melissa Venema, age 13, is the trumpet soloist.

Here is Taps played in its entirety. The original version of Taps was called Last Post, and was written by Daniel Butterfield in 1801. It was rather lengthy and formal, as you will hear in this clip, so in 1862, it was shortened to 24 notes and re-named Taps. Melissa Venema is playing it on a trumpet, whereby the original was played on a bugle.

Watch at this site:  TAPS solo

***Thank you for sharing this wonderful video, Michael -- it's truly magnificent.  It still brought tears to my eyes ... but tears of pride, respect, honor, and joy.  ~CJ

“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale

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