I had the great good fortune to be a military "brat." I say that with complete sincerity; I learned about different cultures, different languages, my own country (more than I learned IN my own country) and I met the same kind of kids whose parents were in the other nations' military services.
In the UK I felt a very close connection, and I'm not sure why. To this day it "feels" like my second home and I go there often. Probably because we were there during my formative years (I had the perfect accent, mannerisms...it was hell coming back to the USA and being teased like I was).
TAPS...because of my family, growing up during VietNam...living in terror of a white-topped staff car driving into your neighborhood, and then later, having to bury good friends in the air force...and a nephew in the army...TAPS brings me to tears, every time.
But so does "the last post." I heard it on the British base where I lived as a kid...and later when I was an AF pilot overseas. It was played for UK military...but also they'd play it over American graves too, along with taps. It's...
On Memorial Day I think of friends lost, of family members that served in ALL the wars this country has fought (except the Revolution, we're latecomers) and I reflect. And I play both haunting melodies.
If you've never heard "Last Post..." HM Royal Marines and the USMA Band performed it together.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83