An RVer named Darrin has posted in at least two Facebook groups about his patriotic playing of Taps each evening in an RV park. He uses his outside speakers to amplify the bugle call while he lowers the large American flag he flies over his RV. He asked the question, “Is that rude or is that acceptable to most?”
More than 2,000 people commented on one of his posts – some saying it was perfectly fine, and in fact it was a wonderful way for him to show his appreciation of our country and the military. Others replied that while they, too, loved our country, it was not an appropriate place to play the traditional military call.
HEAR TAPS. Click the play button below.
What do you think? Please answer the poll below, and feel free to leave a comment.
And, by the way, according to Wikipedia, one version of the origin of the word “taps” comes from the Dutch taptoe, meaning “close the (beer) taps (and send the troops back to camp).”
His patriotism is appreciable but if everyone in the area played taps when they lower their flag, it’d get old real quick.
He can play taps through his ear buds without disturbing the serenity of those trying to enjoy the sunset. Blasting anything is just being inconsiderate.
On base or station only. TAPS is an actual command informing the base personnel that it is time to settle in for nighttime routines and operations as well as a symbolic gesture so the sun “never” sets on the official flag designated by command that flies on the bases/units flag pole. TAPS and REVELE are more traditional now than actual but they still are commands for the troops.
I wouldn’t make a fuss or whine over it but as a veteran, I agree with you.
If he chooses to do so, it might be considered more “friendly” if he omitted using his speakers.
No speakers, please. The playing of Taps will put me right to sleep, too many nights in barracks. Taps and Reveille are a great tradition.
YES but not through speakers
I would much rather hear a short Taps playing than the loud foul mouth music that plays for hours from a neighboring RV.
Please do not use outside speakers!!!!
Ok to Taps but no amplifier and only if they are really good with the bugle. No recordings.
I agree with Mike.
I am a retired Navy veteran and Patriotism is my mantra. On active duty I was often assigned to a burial honor guard. I love and appreciate the sound of taps. But, this is a hard question for me to answer. I would never complain if a fellow camper played taps, but would not play it myself in a campground. Hopefully no one comes up with the idea of playing reveille each morning at 0600!!
no speakers
Absolutely.
I found the information on this website to be very interesting. Reveille is played at sunrise, Retreat is played at sunset and is accompanied by the lowering of the base’s colors and the flag. Taps is played at 9:00 pm to signify quiet time. Taps is also played, of course, to honor fallen military members. https://www.todaysmilitary.com/life-in-the-military/customs-practices/reveille-retreat-taps
I would be interested to hear what military or retired military men and women think about playing Taps for daily flag-lowering. Is it appropriate?
Traditionally Taps is played at night (used to signify “Lights Out” at 2200). If he plays Taps while lowering the flag (at 1700), then by protocol, he is using the wrong bugle call. He should be playing “Retreat, and then either “To the Colors” or the National Anthem (depends on Service) while lowering the flag at 1700, if he is lowering his flag at 2200 accompanied by Taps, he is wrong, and I can understand the angst it causes on a civilian campground. I keep mine up 24 hours, (lighted at dusk). It chokes me up to see old, grizzled vets at military campgrounds stand at attention when Retreat and the To the Colors or the National Anthem are played at the end of the duty day. God Bless Them!
I found the information to be very interesting. On Bases Reveille is played at sunrise, Retreat is played at sunset and is accompanied by the lowering of the base’s colors and the flag. Taps is played at 9:00 pm to signify quiet time. Taps is also played, of course, to honor fallen military members.
I would be interested to hear what military or retired military men and women think about playing Taps for daily flag-lowering. Is it appropriate?
If the owner of the campground does it properly. I am OK with it. Otherwise, No! (BTW, I am retired military).
Taps at sunset? No problem (even if slightly incorrect) – and there are a LOT of veterans who RV. However, PLEASE don’t play revelry at dawn! LOL
“Evening Colors” not “Taps” is the appropriate bugle call when lowering the Colors. “Taps” is played to lay a fallen ‘Warrior’ to rest. Playing either is a gesture of respect and should be viewed as such. Playing “Taps” at a campground should be done quietly, because there are those today who lack respect for the many soldiers, sailors, Marines, Coastguardsmen and airmen who have sacrificed their future so that we have ours.
He needs to play the right bugle call at the right time and he needs managements permission.
I am a 10-year veteran of the service and consider myself to be very patriotic. I think it’s inappropriate to play taps when lowering the flag by an individual camper and a campground.
You are Correct! People MUST UNDERSTAND the Reasons of TAPS before they act inappropriately.
Only at Military sponsored camp grounds. Having served 26 years in the Navy, I understand TAPs, I just dont see any civilians appreciating it. Military Camp Grounds are only open to the Military and Veterans who understand and appreciate the meaning of TAPs.
No the Boys Scouts understand all about taps. So it spreads out further than the military.
Retired Vet
Wow, Ed. Really?
I wanted to, but was not able to serve in our military due to some medical issues. But, I grew up in a family with several 30+ year career Army and Navy uncles and 1st cousins. One cousin was a career Major in the army rangers risking his life in dangerous missions. My father was a WWII vet that stormed the beaches of Normandy. Decades later I cried as taps were played at my father’s funeral, his body still carrying shrapnel from his “day at the beach.” My nephew is an Army Major with over 20 years of service and both of my brothers served.
I may be a “civilian” but my exposure to the military is significant. One doesn’t need to have been in the military to appreciate it, understand it and it’s ceremonies.
EXACTLY!
can I play reveille when I get up? Or how about my favorite fight song (war hymn) when the game starts?
No to amplified anything in a campground.
Agreed
Taps in a campground? no way! I am a combat Veteran of Vietnam Infantry. We lost too many guys and it is a somber thing. There are times and places to play taps, and a campground is not one of those places or times unless it is Memorial Day. Have some respect for those that gave the ultimate sacrifice. Please.
Being a retired Vet I find absolutely not with playing taps. It’s still a tribute to our fallen comrades.
I agree with Bill that it is somber. It makes me feel sad because it reminds me of the deaths of so many military people. I also suspect that most people nowadays don’t even know what it means. It seems to me to be more appropriate for memorial services. As I understand it, TAPS is the wrong one to play for lowering the flag.
ABSOLUTELY AGREE!!!
Taps is fine. Amplified is not.
Agreed!
Agree too!
Yup!
Agreed.
Agreed! Speakers are not needed.
TAPS is great, but just don’t play reveille in the morning.
Whenever I hear Taps being played I remember Montgomery Clift playing it in “From here to eternity”- A classic. And yes, it’s fine to play Taps in an rv park….just do it justice by playing on key and slowly.
Retired Navy. Taps was played when lowering the flag at sundown on all bases I was stationed at. Emphasis on ALL Bases. Do not believe any military bugle calls should be used in a strictly civilian setting where many of the denizens would not know the true significance nor follow proper protocol.
Agree 100%.
Taps is for our wonderful Military Only for a couple of occasions. End of night in Military Bases only and unfortunately at Military Funerals. RESPECT!
Retired Air Force and retreat was played for lowering the flag. Taps at night. (see this source: https://www.todaysmilitary.com/life-in-the-military/customs-practices/reveille-retreat-taps
We are used to it as former military who stay at MWR campgrounds quite a bit. I see the point of those who say civilians don’t understand the respect it deserves.
However, I have always said that campgrounds need to have some kind of “sign on-sign off” system to remind campers of quiet time and check-out time. Maybe “Sound of Silence” in the evening and “Happy Trails” at checkout?
I am a Veteran of Vietnam, 7 yrs 7 months active duty in the U.S.Marine Corps, I respect Taps being played at military funerals, on military installations, but in a campground over loud speakers, I don’t think so. If he wants to play it for his benefit that’s fine, but he doesn’t have the right to infringe on someone else’s area. And I would be the first to tell him so. The old saying that your freedom of speech ends at my fist could apply here.
Retired Army, 23 years, VERY used to all of the various bugle calls and they can be pretty nostalgic, BUT only when I am at one of the many FamCamps around the US… I would not expect nor probably appreciate Taps or any other routine bugle calls at a non- military campground… But, they do bring back memories… mostly good.
It’s all about location, timing, and common sense.
You are Correct! People MUST UNDERSTAND the Reasons of TAPS before they act inappropriately.
When I was growing up, I went to a sleep away camp. Later, in my late teens I was at a Boy Scout Camp. As an adult, I was an assistant Scout Master. At all of the camps, when the Colors were retired, Taps was played. There is nothing written that it is for a military use only. It is a solemn show of respect and reflection. If I’m not mistaken, I think the beginning verse of Taps is, “the day is done…”
Last I knew, this was still a “FREE COUNTRY”! A person playing Taps, should not be of any concern to anyone else within the Park. God Bless the USA!
Does this being a free country mean that anyone can play any music over speakers at a campground?
Ridiculous. Under that logic, your neighbor can crank up a hard rock concert on their outdoor speakers, and it’s of no concern to you or anyone else within the park.
AS long as it is only heard in that campsite. I am camping at a military Famcamp and I can faintly hear taps as I walk my dogs late in the evening. If I’m out early in the morning I can hear Revelle more loudly. I expect to hear that here along with the helicopters flying day and night but not at a commercial, state or local campground.
Then you would be OK with someone wearing a Nazi uniform and playing music approved by the 3rd Reich since this is a “free country.” Playing Taps in a campground is forcing others to be subjected to your values and what you think is appropriate. What is appropriate is keeping your own values (religious, political, environmental, etc.) to yourself. And I spent 22 years on active duty and in the reserves. On military bases, Taps is played when the flag is lowered at day’s end or at military funerals. That is where it is appropriate, IMO, of course.
Purple Heart 💜 Veteran of two wars and I appreciate the respect that Taps provides ending the day. Absolutely yes!!!
No matter the reason, amplified anything that goes beyond your site is not right. Taps or good old rock and roll.Does the gentleman also play reveille at 0700? I respect military historic practices and cherish that bugle calls were the best communication in the day. I worked on military installations for nearly 40 years and raising and lowering the flag accompanied flourishes and SSB signaled beginning and end of the work day. For Scouts taps meant quiet down and go to bed.
Most of us have watches now. Don’t need it, besides too many don’t understand that taps demands respect and that would bother me.
I was Army – Vietnam Era, My father and father-in-law were Army – WWII Era. At their burial was Taps and 21 Gun Salute. Over a loud speaker?, NO WAY. Taps is solemn, It was played from a distance and eventually faded away. I would find it to be played in an RV park to be of disrespect. There are times and places for everything.
Seriously someone has an issue with taps? Get a life folks. I love taps. Now if it is off key? We might have a problem.
I’m Canadian and I love taps
Fine with me.
While i may not mind, others might. And if you wake a fussy baby, well you may never get another opportunity to play Taps again when mama gets done with you. NO speakers. Whether it’s Taps or Mozart, or anything in between, be courteous. Not everyone wants to hear what you’re listening to. Just like with your TV or radio keep it to yourself.
Taps is for a funeral or memorial ceremony for a soldier. Retreat is the proper music to play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i2EYoEGADw