I have many memories of my time spent on "the Island," but the most special happened every afternoon at the end of the duty day. I loved to lie in my rack, or if I had the fire watch duty, to stand at a window and look over the parade field, listening to "Taps" being played. It had a sound that was to me both sad and beautiful.

I retired from the military after 25 years of service divided between the Marine Corps, the Alabama Army National Guard and the Air Force Reserve. To this day, if I'm on a base in the afternoon, I love to listen "Taps" being played and reflect back upon my time on "the Island" and my military career.

Thanks for letting me share this most precious memory.