Funeral Detail

[Riverkilt]

So very very sad. Thanks for all you do to help survivors through their grief.

Our little town of 6,800 has only had two so far in this war. One combat, one suicide a week after returning home.

Semper Fi
Ron

[pdcorlis]

Sir - you show remarkable grace and dignity.

[Jack Daw]

Thanks for your service, Stevie.

[Kiltedfirepiper]

funerals are never easy.

my first one ( that I performed at) was my mothers.
just after I gave an eulogy, I immedeately walked outside where my friend was holding my pipes. and we played " on the turning away" by pink floyd.... one of my mom's favorite tunes because of the harmonies we used in it.

after the service was over the funeral director came over and asked if I'd be able to play another funeral the next week. and the rest is history.

I havent had the honor of playing for a current armed forces member ( if thats the correct way to put it) but I have played for quite a few members that served during WWII and Korea. AG x3 with a fade out on the 3rd time is an awesome way to play it.
it never fails to get a positive response.
I usually will play "going home" on the way to the graveside, and have been asked to play "danny boy" a few times instead of AG.

the next peformance I have is Sept. 11 at a service that my Fire Dept., and the Police Dept. Honor Guards are attending. there is one piper in the PD and myself playing.

and I agree with you ...if I stop feeling a pang of sorrow then its time to stop playing funerals...
KFP

[tomcherv]

I've never played the pipes (which makes sense - I don't know how), but I have sounded taps a few times.

Thanks for serving for those who served.

[JS Sanders]

On the flip side of these....

Five or six months back, I described here a USAF funeral detail that piped with. It wasn't amusing then, but sure is now.

The short of it... one of the airmen had the soil collapse around him and he slid right into the open grave - and 'splashed' when hit bottom.

Slainte,
steve

[PiobBear]

Hardest one for me was a kid, an only child, KIA in Iraq within months of graduating high school.

Damn near got myself arrested, too. When the honor guard presented the flag of their only son to the grieving parents, TV cameramen rushed in and nearly knocked them over, pushing and jostling to stick their cameras and microphones right up in their tear-stained faces, damn near hitting the mother in the face with a TV camera lens. I had a powerful, almost overpowering impulse to inflict great bodily injury and property damage. Never looked at "journalists" the same way again.

[JS Sanders]

I had a powerful, almost overpowering impulse to inflict great bodily injury and property damage.

Having served as a federal officer, I can state with authority, LEO's usually do not have a high regard for journalists.

More'n likely, they would've 'noticed' nothing outta the ordinary had you done so.

Slainte,
steve

[Daniel Hyde]

Thank you, Steve, for your care and service.I can't hear Taps or Amazing Grace anymore without thinking of my Dad and his service at Jefferson Barracks Cemetary.
Keep up the great tribute.
Dan Hyde

[SFCRick]

Thank you for your service, I have been to too many military funerals, but the pipes playing has a special place and truly makes it a memorial service.