“Taps” is sounded nightly by the U S military to indicate that it is “lights out”. It is played on bugle or trumpet during flag ceremonies and at the conclusion of most military funerals. The tune in its present form was arranged by Union Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield.
When "Taps" is sounded at a funeral, it is customary for serving members of the military or veterans to salute. The corresponding gesture for civilians is to place the right hand over the heart.
Taps
Day is done...Gone the sun
From the lake...
From the hills...
From the sky.
All is well...Safely rest
God is nigh.
Fading light....Dims the sight
And a star....Gems the sky....Gleaming bright
From afar....Drawing night
Falls the night.
All is well...Safely rest
1st Lt. Timothy J. Steele
I Got The News Today (IGTNT) , which began in April of 2004 making it one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The IGTNT title is a reminder that nearly every day the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
Since 2003 we have suffered the loss of 4474 American lives and a total of 4792 Coalition Forces in Iraq.
Since 2001 we have suffered the loss of 1748 American lives and a total of 2693 Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
1st Lt. Timothy J. Steele, 25, of Duxbury, Mass., died Aug. 23 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. ~ DoD News Release
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1st Lt. Timothy J. Steele, 25, of Duxbury, Massachusetts
Timothy Steele grew up in Duxbury, a coastal town about 40 miles south of Boston, and was one of ten children of John and Mary Ellen Steele. Timothy graduated from Duxbury High School in 2004 where he was a star athlete, honor student and class president. He carried an American flag during his final race for the cross-country team at Duxbury High School, and wore military fatigues in his senior class picture.
He was like the all-American boy. Right from entering into high school, he knew he wanted to serve his country. ~ Heather Delcore, cross-country coach at Duxbury High
He was a person who gave his heart and soul to the armed forces and to America. You know a lot of kids here in Duxbury get their senior picture on the beach. His was with the American flag. ~ Duxbury High athletic director Thomas Holdgate
Steele and his wife met while they were both working to help rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
1st Lt Timothy J. Steele was a 2009 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and reported to Ft Drum in 2010.
Early in March, as thousands of friends and family gathered at Fort Drum to attend a ceremony to send the 10th Mountain Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team off to the war, photographer John Berry of The Post Standard snapped a photo of 1st Lt. Steele kissing his 1 year old daughter, Liberty. Steele said at the time that her future was one of the reasons he was going to Afghanistan.
1st Lt Steele was a decorated service member with awards and decorations including the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the Air Assault Medal, the Expert Infantryman's Badge, the Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab.
1st Lt Timothy J. Steele is survived by his wife, Meghan; daughter, Liberty; mother Mary Ellen; father, John, and his siblings.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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About the IGTNT series:
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, noweasels, monkeybiz, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Kestrel9000, TheFatLadySings, Ekaterin and me, JaxDem. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for them.
Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
If you would like to contribute to the series, even once a month, please contact Sandy on Signal.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.