I was are so happy to sign up for
Erin's Challenge of Music. Mom and I participated in one of her color challenges; I thought this challenge would be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, sickness and injury took mom and I out for the most of February. I still wanted us to participate, so I asked Erin if I could do something a little bit different and she agreed.
I knew this was going to be a difficult challenge because I like so many different songs: but none of the songs really speak to me, except one. I feel like this song has been with me my whole life. I remember mom teaching us the song in Brownies when we were military dependants (even in sign language). I remembering hearing it played while I was in the military. It was played at both my grandfathers' funerals. This song has a lot of meaning to me and other military soldiers/veterans and their families around the world. It is called "Taps".
I learned a lot doing research for my final ceramics project while taking classes at Purdue. I learned the United States military is unique when using Taps because the call is sounded at funerals, wreath-laying and memorial services.
(Taps)
Taps also has deep meaning for me because during my time at Fort Riley, our company was on funeral detail for a week. The men were the pall bearers and the women were the firing squad. I remember practicing for hours and hours.
Our first funeral for a military veteran was in rural Kansas. There was a tent set up for the family and the firing squad was located behind the tent. We did our 21 Gun Salute and then the bugle started to play. One by one, down the line, each woman started to cry. None of us had a dry eye, so it was a good thing we were located behind the tent. I have to say the week of funeral detail was the most honorable duty I have ever performed. We were there for those families and to honor the passing of that military veteran. I will never forget that part of my military career.
Sorry for the poor quality of the images. This was before I learned more about taking photographs and currently the plates are in a display case and the top plate is in a box somewhere. For my final ceramics project, I wanted to depict "Taps". I threw 21 plates and painted the lyrics on the plates and one plate was the image of the words before the 21 Gun Salute. You would not believe how many plates I threw to get the 21 plates that were about the same size (needless to say it was a lot of throwing). It was a little tedious drawing out the score on each plate, painting the plate, glazing and then firing.
Still, this project needs more work to get it to where I want it. I tried to find my critique paper my professor and I wrote up because I wanted to share our thoughts, but alas, it was been over a year since the critique, and I am not sure what I have done with it. I really want to take another ceramics class so I can get this project perfect and take it to the next level. I think this illustrates how much "Taps" means to me and what military personnel feel when they hear the song.
If you don't know the lyrics to "Taps" here it is.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
May the soldier or sailor,
God keep.
On the land or the deep,
Safe in sleep.
Love, good night, Must thou go,
When the day, And the night
Need thee so?
All is well. Speedeth all
To their rest.
Fades the light; And afar
Goeth day, And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well; Day has gone,
Night is on.
Thanks and praise, For our days,
'Neath the sun, Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go, This we know,
God is nigh.
via: Taps Bugler: Jari Villanueva
Here is the list of the participants in the challenge.
Erin Prais-Hintz
