Closing Ceremonies

A Taps Closing Ceremony

TAPS - The Bugle Call

"TAPS" is the most beautiful bugle call. Played slowly and softly, it has a smooth, tender, and touching character. It rolls down the curtains on the day or upon life whenever it is played or sung. The origin of the bugle call TAPS in its present form is generally attributed to Major General Daniel Butterfield who commanded a brigade in the Army of the Potomac during the Peninsular Campaign of 1862. After a particularly hard fighting day as the weary troops settled down for the night along the James River near Richmond Virginia, the bugler sounded "Extinguish Lights" or what is more commonly called "Lights Out". On this night Butterfield felt that this bugle call was not as smooth, melodious, and musical as it should be. He felt that the day's final call should bring comfort and peace to tired troubled men. With the help of his bugler, Oliver W. Norton, Butterfield composed the music to what we know today as TAPS. Later in the Peninsular Campaign a funeral was being held during a lull in the fighting. The bugler was ordered to play TAPS in place of the three volleys usually used to render the final honors to a deceased comrade. This was done because it was feared that rifle fire might cause the enemy to renew their attack. The playing of TAPS was eventually written into Army regulations as a part of the honors to be paid at a military funeral. While their are no official words to the bugle call itself, the commonly used lyrics are derived from the following verses:
 

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh -- Falls the night
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright;
God is near, do not fear -- Friend, good night.
 

A Gilwell Closing

In closing, as at a Council Fire in camp, let me share a poem with you, especially those who've trod Gilwell's fair field, and ask that as you return from reading this posting to the other things you are doing that we always remember that we are fulfilling BP's vision of producing healthy, happy, helpful citizens, of both sexes, to eradicate narrow self- interest, personal, political, sectarian and national and substitute for it a broader spirit of self-sacrifice and service in the cause of humanity; that we never forget our obligation of service; and for those who wear the beads - that we always cherish all that is symbolized in Wood Badge by the axe in the log:

A SPIRIT

"Be quiet - listen -stand real still.
Is that really the breeze?
Or is it the spirit of Wood Badge
That rustles through the trees?
"At the close of this council fire,
As you return to your campsite,
Take a minute and stand alone
And think about this night.
"There's a spirit here that surrounds us
From without and within.
It's a flame that will burn forever
Its brightness will never dim.
"And when we work for others,
And help to fill their needs,
Let no one say that Scouter there
Has never earned his beads!
"May all our goals be accomplished
May we never stumble or bog,
And may all of us be guided
By the ax set in the log."
Jerry Fabricius

"In my dreams I'm going back to Gilwell . . . ." See you soon.