Taps

When I was doing my research on American patriotic songs, this was the last song that came to me.  Interestingly enough, this fits with the history of the song.

Taps was first used as a call to signal lights out during the Civil War, and was adapted by Union General Daniel Butterfield.  However after a time, General Butterfield felt that the song should play a much more important role than simply telling everyone to turn their lights out.  After taking part in many large battles, including the Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Gaines Mill, with the help of his brigade buglar, Oliver Wilcox Norton, he adapted the song to honor his men that died in battle. Taps was first used this way at Harrison's Landing, VA following the Seven Day's Battle in 1862.  Taps slowly spread throughout the Union army and was even used by the Confederates by the end of the war.  After the war, Taps was officially made a bugle call.

Its also fascinating about this call is that it is used no where else in the world.  Taps is solely an American song, that honors American heroes.  To this day it is played at funerals of fallen soldiers, wreath-layings, and memorial services.  To this day, it still represents what it was first used for 150 years ago, to signal "Lights Out" to those fallen soldiers, to signal the end of their days, to signal the impact they made on this country, and to honor them for everything they did to make sure the United States of America stayed free.