Veterans Day Tribute 2009

I think "Taps" is one of the most beautiful, albeit heartrending, songs ever written, and I couldn't think of a more fitting song to use for this slide show commemorating our veterans today.

I wish I could personally thank each and every one of them for the sacrifices they and their families made for our country. May God bless and keep them and let them know how much their service is appreciated.

I would also like to remember with sincere gratitude our servicemen and women who risk their lives every day to keep America out of harm's way. May God protect them as they protect us, and bless them and their families for the sacrifices they make for us.

And may He hold close and comfort the families of the victims of the recent shootings at Fort Hood, and let them know that they are in the hearts and prayers of Americans everywhere.

I hope you enjoy the slide show. Be sure to turn your sound up so you can hear the hauntingly beautiful strains of Taps echoing in the background, performed by the United States Army Ceremonial Band.

"Taps"

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, 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.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, scouts must go to their beds,
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

Taps was composed by Union Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield, an American Civil War general. Butterfield wrote the tune at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, in July 1862.

Still Watching and Waiting for the Ginkgos

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post called Ginkgo, One of Fall's Most Glorious Trees, featuring pictures of a large ginkgo at the Old Court House Museum here in Vicksburg. Yesterday, I went back by the court house to see if the leaves had turned yet, and here are the pictures I captured while I was there.

It's gorgeous, but hasn't quite reached the peak of its fall color.

After I left the court house, I drove over to the Vicksburg National Military Park to check on the ginkgos there. There is one in particular in the National Cemetery that I have photographed many times, but have never managed to capture in the fall.

Just look at its huge trunk.

I'd love to know how old it is and think I will try to find out. It is, without a doubt, the largest and most magnificent ginkgo I've ever seen, and I don't want to miss its fall show. I just love this old tree!

Here is another old one whose leaves have just begun to turn.

I love its beautiful trunk, too!

I plan to keep an eye on the big ginkgo tree, and hope I can share it with you when it is at its peak. In the meantime, I'm going to try to learn something about its age and history. If only it could talk!