I play Taps for Military Rights for all branches of service. I am a member of an American Legion here in my local town, although I have never served in the Armed Forces. I’m a member of the Legion under the Son’s of American Legion being my Father was an Army vet and served when our troops were over in Korea. My Father was a very patriotic person and very proud American. When I was of age, I wanted to join any branch of service that would take me, but my Father talked me out of it. Dad hated the army and the time spent in it, but loved our country. Playing Taps is my way of saying thankyou to all of those men and women who have served and/or serving our great nation.

Playing Taps for 15 years you see many things at funerals. Some funny, some sad. The one I am about to tell you, really is despicable and it sadden my heart to see.

Standing at attention in line-up waiting for the casket to be taken from the hearse, you see all kinds of people mostly sadden from the passing of their friend, Father, brother, uncle, etc. But this time I saw anger in the eyes of many of the family and friends. There was an unusual quietness (not stillness that usually happens) as they gathered around the grave site. The Pastor did his thing, and then the Honor Guard fired the rifles and I played Taps. Not 20 seconds had passed after the flag was presented to the Mother that a fight broke out between the family members. I could not believe what I was hearing. The swearing and calling names all about money. I stood back and watch a few minutes as the heated exchanges went back and forth. The Pastor was trying to calm everyone down but to no avail. Apparently, the Father, Veteran who passed away left money for his sons. One of them thought we was cheated out of his share and was very vocal about it.

How saddening it is to see family members only remember their Father for his money. I don’t know anything about this family or how they were raised as children, but I have to believe that they were taught money is everything and nothing else matters. At least that is what they were showing by their actions and words.

Where is the love for one another? Where is the compassion for the Mother who lost her husband?

In life, we need money to live, but we should not live for money. If we would learn to lean on our Heavenly Father, He will provide for us everything we need. Yes, even including financial means. We have to do are part, by being willing to work and doing the chores of everyday living, but by having faith in our Maker and trusting on Him, He promised to provide if we asked in His name.

I remember back in 2005, when my own Father passed away. It was a happy but sad occasion. Happy and rejoicing because He trusted, knew and loved our God, but sad because we knew he would be missed. My Father and I were never really close, but I still loved him and I know he loved me. He taught me to respect others and accepted them for who they are. He taught me about working hard and being loyal and to make an honest living. He taught me about money, how we need to use it to live and that money is not the root of all evil, but only the people who miss use it. But most importantly, He taught me to be proud of being American, proud to be a child of God. He showed me the way to God and I accepted and believed in God at an early age in life.

I pray, that when I leave this earth, that I will be known as someone who lived for Christ and showed His love to everyone I came in contact with.