Harold's Nam

This site is dedicated to Harold R. Blunk

who served in Vietnam.

HR Blunk USMC
ARTYFO ON FOXTROT RIDGE 28 MAY 68
BRAVO BATTERY 1/12 MARINES
I CORP
2ND BATTALION
3RD MARINES
FOX, GOLF, HOTEL
ECHO
FEB 1968-NOV 1969

This site is also dedicated to all the men and women

who have served and are serving our USA.

Rest Now My Soldiers

Rest now my soldiers.
You have done enough.
My heart cries for your sweet rest.
You have done enough.
Forever I will be in awe of you.
For what you have done,
is a sacrifice beyond belief.
No one could give more.
So rest, my sweet soldiers.
Know that you are loved.

Karen "Annie" Blunk

Harold then. May 1968

Harold now. 2001

Harold's Nam2

Harold's Nam 3

Harold's Nam 4

Harold's Nam5

Harold's Nam6

Never To Be Forgotten-John Winslow

KIA July 30, 1969

Harold's Silver Star

The Battle Of Foxtrot Ridge

(why he received the Silver Star)

Now

Bravo 1/12

THE STORY BEHIND "TAPS"

It all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert
Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The
Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.
During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moan of a soldier who lay
mortally wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or
Confederate soldier, the captain decided to risk his life and bring the
stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through
the gunfire, the captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling
him toward his encampment. When the captain finally reached his own
lines, he discovered it was actually a confederate soldier, but the
soldier was dead.

The captain lit a lantern. Suddenly, he caught his breath and went numb
with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his
son. The boy had been studying music in the south when the war broke out.
Without telling his father, he enlisted in the Confederate Army. The
following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his
superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status.
His request was partially granted. The captain had asked if he could have
a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for the son at the
funeral. That request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.

Out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one
musician. The captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a
series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of
his dead son's uniform. This wish was granted. This music was the
haunting melody we now know as "Taps" that is used at all military
funerals.

In case you are interested, these are the words to "TAPS":

Day is done,
   Gone the sun,
   From the lakes,
   From the hills,
   From the sky.
   All is well.
   Safely rest.
   God is nigh.