Today We Remember... A Bit on Military Memorial Music

A US Army Bugler plays Taps at Arlington National Cemetery

https://youtu.be/Bfe4TxvUOiw

Taps is one of the most powerful songs ever written due to it's haunting simplicity and affiliation with military funerals and memorials. The tradition started in 1862 at Harrison's Landing VA when Union General Daniel Butterfield wanted a tune to replace the current French version of the light's out call. He got together with his bugler, Oliver W. Norton and created Taps.

The use of Taps quickly spread throughout the Union Army and then to nearby Confederate forces, becoming officially adopted by the former in 1874 (after the war had ended). Very soon after it's inception Taps was first played at the funeral of a corporal under the command of Captain John Tidball. The military refused Tidball's request to fire a salute over the man so he had Taps played instead. Taps became standard at military funerals in 1891.

JFK's State Funeral

Maybe the most famous rendition of Taps was at JFK's funeral. In front of millions from all over the world Keith Clark fluttered on the sixth note which many saw as symbolic of the Nation's heartfelt mourning.
https://youtu.be/qbNfOpTx5CQ (Go to 2:05)

Today Taps is still officially the light's out call but is generally associated with its second use, burial and memorial services and to accompany the lowering of the flag. It is played often at national cemeteries and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Various words have been put to the notes but it is most often played without. Recently, Congress declared Taps the National Song of Remembrance.

"Der gute Kamerad" ("The good Comrade") or Ich hatt' einen Kameraden ("I had a comrade") - Germany/Austria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LupshGMLG5U
Written in 1809 by Ludwig Uhland and put to music in 1825 this song became an integral part of German Military Tradition around 1871. The song also features prominently in Austrian and Chilean (due to heavy Prussian influence starting in the 1880's) Military Tradition.

The Last Post/The Rouse - UK/Commonwealth

British soldiers in a trench, I'm guessing earlier in the war because of the lack of gas masks.
https://youtu.be/tAM3tU6WEY8
The Last Post is the call used during military funerals and commemorations in Commonwealth countries. Historically the call meant that the commanding officer had finished his inspection of his camp for the night. On the battlefield it meant that the fighting was over for the day and that the wounded and lost could follow the bugle to safety. It has been used by the British since the 17th century and spread to the rest of the British Empire as it expanded. The call is usually followed by "The Rouse" (to get soldiers out of bed) to signify that the spirits of the soldiers have risen in the next life. At most ceremonies there is an accompanying period of silence.

The infantry and cavalry/artillery actually have different versions of the call because they use different bugles.

Canadian Soldiers Returning from Vimy Ridge

ANZAC Troops at Gallipoli

La Sonnerie aux Morts - France

https://youtu.be/d57DyfjKaEY

This call was created so that France had an equivalent to Last Post and Taps for military funerals and commemorations. It closely resembles The Last Post at times. It was first played under the Arc de Triomphe in July 1931.

Siberian Infantrymen Gear Up for Warsaw (1914)

It was hard to find anything on Russia so I'm not sure if they have and official song other than the anthem. Here's a cool one that was played at Brezhnev's funeral by the Moscow Military Brass Orchestra.
https://youtu.be/PQkB8XqYKqU

Honorable Mention - Amazing Grace

https://youtu.be/nhGuhfBk5xk

I bring it up because it is often played during funerals, particularly military funerals, and is generally one of the most beautiful works of art ever created.

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

This was the first place I heard Taps played by the Military, it hit pretty close to home. My grand-père grew up under Nazi occupation and told me liberation was one of the best days of his life.

Thank you to all those who served then and all those who have served since, you don't know what a difference you make.

Beer Tax

Fun fact to end on, both Taps and Last Post originate from Dutch 'taptoe' roughly meaning "close the beer taps in the taverns and send the troops back to camp." The more you know.

I'm American and I got most of this off of Wikipedia, NPR, and Youtube so please correct me if I'm wrong!