Prelude to Memorial Day

[Nighthawk]

Now that is one of the more interesting perspectives I've heard. I do, in fact, think of myself as a walking memorial. I think of us all as walking memorials- to our ancestors, past, present and future. I have ancestors who lived and died wearing the kilt, and if it was good enough for them, then by the gods, it's good enough for me.

[Alan H]

Yeah. The band looks great, but more than that...

[JS Sanders]

I've piped at a beau coup of Police Memorial observances over the years.

Cops are an appreciative lot.

Slainte yall,
steve

[OFCJAX]

Damn, I wish I hadn't missed that.

[GreenDragon]

Good post, Rex.

[The Fireman]

Thank you Rex.
I lurk about here on this forum from time to time but I don't think I've ever posted. I felt compelled to reply due to Rex's kind words.
I was one of the two you asked. The one that replied is my brother, a drummer in the band, I am a piper. In fact, the piper right behind the drum major in the posted picture.
I thought you looked familiar, but I couldn't place from where.
I would have stopped to talk had I known but we were also in a hurry to muster for the start of the parade.
Just to let it be known, I am a firefighter and so is my brother and there is another firefighter in the band also, although it is a police band. We come together to play at such events. Unfortunately we are called all too often to do so.
Just recently we played for two local firefighters killed in a structure fire when the floor cllapsed, plunging them into a fully involved basement fire. They were firefighters with my brother's department.
We were so proud to play. That is the reason most of us started to play in the first place.
We had kilted firemen from all over the country including Canada come to play with us.
I surmise it is also just another excuse to wear the kilt. As I wear it as often as possible.
Sorry if I brought the mood down and if I'm a bit long winded (especially for a first post) but I wanted to say thank you for the kind words.

Jeff

[Finn]

Jeff,
Welcome from West Virginia!
My brother is a firefighter in Indiana. I hope to get to the Memorial in Emmitsburg this year.

[Rex_Tremende]

Thank you Rex.
I lurk about here on this forum from time to time but I don't think I've ever posted. I felt compelled to reply due to Rex's kind words.
I was one of the two you asked. The one that replied is my brother, a drummer in the band, I am a piper. In fact, the piper right behind the drum major in the posted picture.
[...]
Sorry if I brought the mood down and if I'm a bit long winded (especially for a first post) but I wanted to say thank you for the kind words.

Jeff

Well, Jeff, I'm glad you came out of your shell and posted this. It was neither long-winded or a downer, and we all thank you for the service you and your brothers and sisters provide us.

I am always conscious that whatever I write here about people I encounter out there could be read eventually by the subjects themselves, and so I always try to be fair whether the situation is good or bad. (Nearly) running into you and your (actual) brother was a highlight on an already pretty good day. By the time I had crossed Vine Street, I was already composing the post in my head so I could share it with everyone.

Don't be a stranger and come on out to the next Cincinnati kilt night, whenever that is.

Regards,
Rex.

[Jack Daw]

That was great, Rex. But, I like meatloaf!

[Marshal Moroni]

Amazing, just amazing. Great story, great picture!!
How true that when we want to honor the best, we wear our best!

Cheers,

Marshal Moroni