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The tradition of bagpipes played at fire department
funerals in the United States goes back over one hundred fifty years. When
the Irish and Scottish immigrated to this country, they brought many of
their traditions with them. One of these was the bagpipe, often played at
Celtic weddings, funerals and ceilis (dances).
It wasn't until the great potato famine and massive Irish immigration to
the East Coast of the United States that the tradition of the pipes really
took hold in fire departments. Factories and shops had signs reading
"NINA"-No Irish Need Apply. The only jobs they could get were the ones no
one else wanted -jobs that were dirty, dangerous or both - fire-fighters
and police officers. It was not an uncommon event to have several
firefighters killed at a working fire. The Irish firefighters funerals
were typical of all Irish funerals-the pipes were played. It was somehow
okay for a hardened firefighter to cry at the sound of pipes when his
dignity would not let him weep for a fallen comrade.
Those who have been to funerals when bagpipes play know how haunting and
mournful the sound of the pipes can be. Before too long, families and
friends of non-Irish firefighters began asking for the piper to play for
these fallen heroes. The pipes add a special air and dignity to the solemn
occasion.
Associated with cities such as Washington DC, Boston, New York,
Philadelphia and Chicago, pipe bands representing both fire and police
often have more than 60 uniformed members. They are also traditionally
known as Emerald Societies after Ireland-the Emerald Isle. Many bands wear
traditional Scottish dress while others wear the simpler Irish uniform.
All members wear the kilt and tunic, whether it is a Scottish clan tartan
or Irish single color kilt.
Today, the tradition is universal and not just for the Irish or Scottish.
The pipes have come to be a distinguishing feature of a fallen hero's
funeral.
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