Reveille, Retreat, and Taps.

Part of our job as Camp Hosts at the park is to make the rounds of the campgrounds to make sure that everything is ok. We have one of those golf cart type vehicles which Ron has to not only help with maintenance duties, but also to do these park checks. It's a huge savings that we don't have to use our truck for this. It's great for getting around - and this little vehicle zips in and out of places like nobody's business.

We came back from one of our trips around the park the other day and heard a wonderful sound. Retreat was being sounded at Fort Carson. It was the end of the "official" day, and we are blessed to hear this from our campsite here at the park.

In the morning, there is Reveille, which signals to the soldiers that it's time to line up for morning roll call. And while I would think most soldiers nowadays use alarm clocks, there's a definite "order" in this bugle call which reminds them before they even open their eyes that another day in the US Army is ahead of them. :)

And ~ of course ~ in the evening, there is Taps. Taps signals that all unauthorized lights are to be extinguished and it is the last call of the day. And of course, we know too well, that it is played at the end of a military funeral. It has, most assuredly, been played far too often in this last circumstance in America's history.

I decided to look up the various bugle calls, and what they mean....and was suprised to see there are so many of them.

Being able to hear all of these bugle calls in the morning, afternoon, or evening is somehow

a pleasant reminder of how well the Army takes care of it's own. They are structured for sure, but their soldiers are very important. But no matter whether it's "wake up", or "ok, you can go home now," or "it's time to rest," I think the most encouraging - though haunting - is the sound of Taps.

The last line of the first verse tell us all we need to know - about every moment of every day.

"All is well, safely rest, God is nigh."

Not only is the best military in the world taking care of America, but God is looking over us all. Especially those who serve.

This brings me peace.