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The following pages are in reverent memory of the departed Veterans that we of the American Veterans Honor Guard have had the privilege to serve.
In these rolls, we post all the information we have available, but would be happy to add more if desired by the family of the deceased.

Please contact the webmaster by email if you would like to have a individual memorial page consisting of photos, biography, personal thoughts, etc., constructed for your loved one. This, as with all our services, is without charge, with no strings attached, and purely for the Veterans and their families.
While we have made every effort to be accurate in the information we have posted on these pages, we still do make mistakes. If you see an error in our Roll of Honor or elsewhere on our website, please notify the webmaster by email and we will make every attempt to make a correction as quickly as possible.

History of TAPS

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.