Firefighter from NYC Funeral Service -- w/ piper and fly over

[piperdbh]

Sounds like a pleasant but sad experience. I've played for funerals that were really uplifting, in a way.

Not meaning any disrespect to your late friend, but I thought firefighters did not "allow" cremation?

[Spartan]

Sounds like a pleasant but sad experience. I've played for funerals that were really uplifting, in a way.

Not meaning any disrespect to your late friend, but I thought firefighters did not "allow" cremation?

I have no idea. This is what he arranged. His cremains were placed in the church columbarium next to his wife's, who died about 12-14 years ago.

[macwilkin]

Frank,

May light perpetual shine upon Al.

Your story reminded me of my grandfather taking me to Luke when I was in junior high. Security was much different back then, and he had a "calling card" from when he was discharged in 1946 that "would serve to introduce him at all Army Air Force installations". The USAF, I'm pleased to say, still honoured the card, and the airmen at the front gates of Luke (and D-M in Tucson) would always throw him a salute and a "thank you for your service, sir" (even though he was a Tech. 4th class!)

When he passed on in 2005, our priest conducted the graveside ceremony in his Class "A's" -- he was a Colonel in the Chaplain's Corps -- your story brought that day back, but in a good way.

Regards,

Todd

[Giuseppe]

Sounds like a pleasant but sad experience. I've played for funerals that were really uplifting, in a way.

Not meaning any disrespect to your late friend, but I thought firefighters did not "allow" cremation?

I dunno. I've been in the fire service for sixteen years and that's the first time I've ever heard of such a "rule". In fact, one of my best friends like to joke that he wants to be cremated, carried on the rig, and then dumped into the tank water and sprayed onto the next big fire after his death...

[macneighill]

HUH? I agree with Giuseppe . . in my almost 20 years as a Firefighter, I've never heard of any such rule either??? I think that would be a personal choice, not a departmental.

I've only been to a few Firefighter funerals and, they are all tear jerkers. I know this sounds odd but, when I hear the Amazing Grace being played on pipes, I want to start crying. In my almost 20 years, I've only experienced the loss of a close fellow Firefighter, he was from my Company. That was the hardest thing that I've ever had to deal with. It was the first time I had to deal with a loss on a close, personal level . . he was a very good friend of mine. I think I cried for about a year straight.

About 4 and a half years ago, we lost a Firefighter here in Jefferson County, Kentucky . . it was great to see our brothers and sisters come from all around the area and state to pay their respects.

I know this sounds odd but, I appreciate you sharing your story. Though I do not know each of them personally, it hits home when I hear of a loss of a brother or sister. Sadly, on average, we lose about 100+ Firefighters annually in the US (these are Line of Duty Deaths).