Brief history. I’m former army and served six years between active and reserves. I ETS’d close to 20 years ago.

On a recent weekend with a lady friend in Florida, late one night somewhere around eight or 9 PM, I distinctly heard taps playing. Out of force of habit, I snapped to the position of attention and saluted through the end of the bugle call.

My lady friend is a foreign national, and wasn’t sure how to react. I later explained to her the significance of taps and why I did what I did. What struck me the most were the emotions that came over me as a 40 something-year-old male having done this plenty of times, but never necessarily internalizing the significance of paying tribute to those who are no longer with us.

To my fallen brothers and sisters, I cannot thank you enough for your courage and sacrifice. Without you, we would not be where we are today.