King William's troops were housed in the towns and villages around the battlefields and so the legend goes, went to the local inns or pubs to spend the evenings.  Drummers marching through the streets at night were reminding pub owners that it was time to stop selling beer and send the troops back to camp.  The Dutch phrase for "turn off the taps" was "doe den tap toe"; but the British soldiers remembered only "tap toe", and like GI's down through the ages, corrupted that into their own lingo.  So tap toe became tattoo.

As the custom developed the drums were joined by flutes and then other musical instruments.  Eventually, full bands played for the whole garrison and the tradition of a military tattoo came into being.

The Tattoo at Randolph on 10 and 11 May at Washington Circle which lasted about two hours was certainly a highly refined and entertaining version in the Tattoo tradition.  The music, supplied by the Air Force Band of the West was spectacular.  The crowd comprised mostly of Air Force families and special guests were seated near the Taj on the lawn and in bleachers and were treated not only to fine music but to a fly-over of aircraft from WW-I to present day models.  They were also treated to a historical drama featuring Air Force officers dressed in period uniforms.  Two of club members Jim W uniforms were used for this section.  Needless to say, it was rather 'stirring' to see these Army Air Corp uniforms being worn again for the first time in over 50 years.

The event was offered mainly as a tribute to past Air Force hero's.   The guest of honor, COL. J. Parr, was an ace in WW-II and Korea.  He has over 3500 hours in an F-86.  Two vehicles from our club participated in the Tattoo.  Jim S with his half-track and Jim W with his M38.  Each vehicle carried dignitaries to and from the event.  After the conclusion of the Tattoo, food and refreshments for all participants were prepared at the Officer's Club.