Retreat

During the Civil War, while in bivouac, General Daniel Butterfield, felt the bugle call for Extinguish Lights was too formal, and working with his bugler, Oliver Wilcox Norton, came up with what we know today as Taps.


In the evening, when the air is still, I hear the call played through the public address system from Hurlburt Field.  There is something reassuring and calming as it reminds me it is time to extinguish the lights of my home.  To rest and prepare for the coming day.


John Wayne tells the story far better than I.