when my grandfather passed away in 03 I wasnt sure if I wanted to pipe.
well I brought my pipes with me anyways ( grandma already gave her blessings before the day of the service)
no kilt or anything. but any how I was sitting there listening to the service not really paying attention, just thinking about grandpa. when I realized I really DID want to pipe for him!
well they were getting ready for Military Honors as I "stood up" ( I say it that way because I was hunched down trying to get out of the pew) well I hurriedly walked out of the chappel and got my pipes together and went outside.
I wasnt playing for anyone but him so I wasnt trying to play for the service or be a part of it.
I waited till taps was played and struck in and played AG. played it twice through and cut out. I walked about 40' further out and struck in again, played going home, green hills ( slow) then finished up with danny boy ( his Fav.)

this is what was happening inside while I played.
taps finished, they just finished folding the flag and were about to hand it to my grandma when I struck in on AG ( the door to the chappel was open for the bugeler)
the presenter stopped, returned to his partner and "double checked " the flag to make sure is was perfect then as I finished playing handed it to grandma. couldnt have planned it better if we tried.
also happening was a family member who I had never met was stewing in the back of the chappel because I left right before the military honors. he was actually on his way outside to kick my a## at the end of the service when he saw my ( now wife/then GF ) running out to a guy holding pipes and bawling like a baby! then we had a few drams of scotch and all was good.

my dad told me that the sound of the pipes kind of slowly "floated" in and built up, then "floated away " at the end. I got even him teary eyed...and this is a man who up until my mom passed really didn't show emotion.

thats my story and I'm stickin to it

KFP