Posted on Nov 16, 2015
LTC Stephen F.
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Everybody who has spent time on a military installation has heard bugle calls - either by an actual bugler or a recorded bugle call. Some calls woke us up [First Call]; accompanied the raising of the National Colors [Reveille]; told us it was time to eat [Mess Call]; announced the retiring of the National Colors [Retreat]; told us to turn to out the lights in squad rooms of old [Tattoo]; told us to go back to our rooms [Call to Quarters]; and go to sleep (Taps) or remember the recently departed.
Many bases, posts, camps and stations only used some of these bugle calls each day; but, a few used many or most - especially West Point in my experience. Those of us who spent time on Parade fields heard Assembly, Attention and Adjutant's Call played many times. I can't remember if a bugle call coincided with the Commander's command to initiate pass in review.
The U.S. Army Music hyperlink includes each bugle call.
How did the bugle calls affect you? Did you enjoy them or did you do your best to be inside when they were played?
http://www.music.army.mil/music/buglecalls/
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LTC Stephen F.
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1SG Clifford Barnes
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Taps
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
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Thank you 1SG Clifford Barnes for letting us know that Taps is your favorite bugle call. Taps soothed me in the evenings before it was played by a lone bugler acroos the plan at West Point as we stood in a candlelight vigil for a friend and comrade in arms a month before we graduated.
Military Taps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn_iz8z2AGw
Posted by the person who made this "I made this video... first one...Please show respect to those that have fallen"
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright
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SSG Christopher Conklin
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Taps
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SSG Diane R.
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Taps always brings tears to my eyes.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
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Thank you for responding, my friend SSG Diane R. and letting us know that Taps brings tears to your eyes. Taps also brings waves of emotion to me since the first time I heard it played for a fallen comrade in arms.

Military Taps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn_iz8z2AGw
Posted by the person who made this "I made this video..first one...Please show respect to those that have fallen"

FYI LTC Stephen C. LTC Thomas Tennant MAJ Ken LandgrenCapt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT 1stSgt Eugene Harless SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSLSFC William FarrellSSG Leo Bell SSgt (Join to see) Sgt Joe LaBranche SrA Christopher Wright PO3 Steven Sherrill PO1 John Miller Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM SPC Margaret Higgins
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PO2 Jonathan Scharff
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It would have to be taps for me. Although I actually liked the Bos’n pipe. But I have to say I love the traditions of all the services...guess I’m just an old timer now. Lol
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
>1 y
Thank you for responding my friend PO2 Jonathan Scharff that you love the traditions of all the military services.

Mate Wayne Stacey of SS Ship 198 Eagle Milton, Delaware LCDR USCG Ret. explains the use, customs and history of the bosun's call
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51UgcvVihbI

FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright
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PO2 Peter Klein
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I don't remember bugle calls except in port. The Bos'n pipe got annoying. Being in the Navy meant that you had a berthing area that was usually different that your work area BUT you got to stand watches a various times of the day and night. If you pulled a mid watch you hated Reveille because you were entitled to some extra sleep. That worked well.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
>1 y
Thank you for responding, my friend PO2 Peter Klein. I expect you were not allowed to use ear plugs after pulling a nighttime watch to help enable you to sleep through Reveille. :-)
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PO2 Peter Klein
PO2 Peter Klein
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LTC Stephen F. I don't think the thought ever occurred to me. To quote Homer Simpson, "Duh!"
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COL Brad Welch
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Retreat/To the Colors
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
>1 y
Thank you for responding COL Brad Welch that Retreat and To The Colors are your favorite bugle calls. Those two bugle calls are inseparable IMHO.
Here is a recording of Retreat and To the Colors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmJMLAGU9Nc
It is rare that To the Colors is played separately from Retreat in my experience.
FYI Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown 1stSgt Eugene Harless MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Michael Thorin SGT (Join to see) SGT Robert George SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SP5 Robert Ruck SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Maj Marty Hogan
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
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I'll go with TAPS as well.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
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Lt Col Jim Coe
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To the colors.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
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Thank you for responding Lt Col Jim Coe and letting us know that To the Colors is you favorite bugle call.
Here is a recording of Retreat and To the Colors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmJMLAGU9Nc
It is rare that To the Colors is played separately from Retreat in my experience.

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SSG Robert Perrotto
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retreat and to the colors - not because it signified the end of the day, but because to me, they were beautiful bugle calls and seriously gave goosebumps to hear them.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
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Thank you for responding SSG Robert Perrotto that your favorite bugle calls are Retreat and To the Colors which are played one after the other, typically.
I concur they are very beautiful bugle calls and what they signify has given me goosebumps as well.
Retreat and To the Colors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmJMLAGU9Nc
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright
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