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My Air Force Career Comprising 24 years From November 1979 until May 2003

Lackland Air Force Base	3711 BMTS Flt 558	Nov 1979 - Dec 1979
Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD	45th Missle Security Squadron	1980 - 1981
Naval Air Station (NAS) Keflavik	85 Security Forces Squadron, Keflavik NAS, Iceland	1981 - 1982
Vandenberg Air Force Base	30th Security Police Squadron	1982 - 1984
Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea	8th Security Police Squadron	1984 - 1986
Minot Air Force Base	91st Missle Security Squadron	1986 - 1988
Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea	8th Security Police Squadron - Stinger Section	1988 - 1989
Taegu AB, Republic of Korea		1989 - 1990
Osan AB, Republic of Korea	51st SPS	1990 - 1992
Army National Guard - Post Falls, ID		1993 - 1993
105th ACS Cheney, WA		1993 - 1995
Western Air Defense Sector		1995 - 2003

	Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than Taps. Up to the Civil War, the traditional call at day's end was a tune, borrowed from the French, called Lights Out. In July of 1862, in the aftermath of the bloody Seven Days battles, hard on the loss of 600 men and wounded himself, Union General Daniel Adams Butterfield called the brigade bugler to his tent. He thought "Lights Out" was too formal and he wished to honor his men. Oliver Wilcox Norton, the bugler, tells the story, "...showing me some notes on a staff written in pencil on the back of an envelope, (he) asked me to sound them on my bugle. I did this several times, playing the music as written. He changed it somewhat, lengthening some notes and shortening others, but retaining the melody as he first gave it to me. After getting it to his satisfaction, he directed me to sound that call for Taps thereafter in place of the regulation call. The music was beautiful on that still summer night and was heard far beyond the limits of our Brigade. The next day I was visited by several buglers from neighboring Brigades, asking for copies of the music which I gladly furnished. The call was gradually taken up through the Army of the Potomac." This more emotive and powerful Taps was soon adopted throughout the military. In 1874 It was officially recognized by the U.S. Army. It became standard at military funeral ceremonies in 1891. There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air. - From an article by Master Sergeant Jari A Villanueva, USAF.

	Taps Day is done, gone the sun, From the hills, from the lake, from the skies. 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.