Fort Drum honors senior leaders with military tattoo ceremony

By Staff Sgt. Kenneth Foss, 1st Brigade Combat Team PAO NCOICJuly 14, 2011

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- The 10th Mountain Division Band performed during a tattoo ceremony June 29 at LeRay Mansion on post to honor three Fort Drum senior leaders as they bid farewell to their respective units.

During the ceremony, dubbed “A Tradition of Honor,” each of the outgoing commanders addressed an audience of more than 100 spectators. Each of the honorees spoke of his time at Fort Drum and reflected on the achievements of their various commands. After each speech, the band played personally selected songs picked by the departing leaders and their wives.

“I chose the Afghanistan national anthem as a reminder (of) the sacrifice our Soldiers have made and the 10th Mountain Division helping rewrite the anthem,” said Col. Bill Burleson, 1st Brigade Combat Team commander.

Along with Burleson, other senior leaders being honored were Col. David Miller, former 2nd Brigade Combat Team commander, and Col. Roger Fiedler, U.S. Army Dental Activity commander.

The Millers’ requested songs were “Color My World” and “I Will Always Love You.” The Burlesons’ requested songs were “Yellow Rose of Texas” and “Afghanistan National Anthem.” The Fiedlers’ requested songs were “Margaritaville” and “Takin’ Care of Business.”

The tradition of a military tattoo has a long history.

“Doe den tap toe,” a Dutch term for “turn off the taps,” originally was used by the British army during the 17th century. Drum teams would march into the towns at night to signal tavern owners and innkeepers to turn off their taps of ale and to encourage Soldiers to return to their quarters for the evening.

The drummer’s march transcended from its original purpose into a form of entertainment at ceremonies and as an honor to those for whom the band is playing.

Over the years, variations of the original term “Doe den tap toe” were adopted and eventually resulted in what we know it as today " a tattoo.

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