.Product Description
The Mighty Eighth affirms the elected civilian authority as the arbiter of military rules of engagement while lamenting its consequences. The General McChrystal drama illustrates the selfless sacrifice military leaders will make to achieve combat objectives with minimum loss of life despite shackling political restrictions. During the Vietnam War, it took a regime change and another general shown on the front cover to finally employ the war ending strategy called 'the 11 day war.' Lt. Col. Wayne Goodson, USAF, (Ret.), reveals a long awaited truth about the everyday drama, personal and otherwise, of Anderson AFB, Guam. Goodson exposes the roles of the national media, liberal politicians and academia that led to public distain of the military. Goodson attempts to alter secular, unpatriotic attitudes in honor of the B-52 aircrews of the Strategic Air Command and the role they carried out to end the Vietnam War. 'The Mighty Eighth is a masterful piece that pulls the whole story together from the Azores to Guam. You will find yourself inserted in the personal experiences of Lt. Col. John Wayne Goodson (Ret.), while learning the around the clock happenings on Guam and details of the ongoing B-52/KC-135 operations. ' Lt. Gen. George H. McKee, USAF, (Ret.)
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Elli was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia . The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.
During the night, Captain Elli heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment..
When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.
The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.
The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.
But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.
This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, we now know as 'Taps' used at military funerals was born.
The words are:
Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the lakes
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 nigh.
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise.
For our days.
Neath the sun
Neath the stars.
Neath the sky
As we go..
This we know.
God is nigh
I too have felt the chills while listening to 'Taps' but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along.
I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.
Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.
Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces.
