Phred has Passed, the Prayer Pups join our family & funeral news (pg. 13)

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Thank you Staci! I kept our Phred in my prayers all day yesterday. I bet he had a front row seat and enjoyed it all.

One thing I've always wondered, why do they play bagpipes at firemens funerals? They even do that here now. I think it's lovely. I just wondered why.

[shais_mom]

I am not really sure - I will have to research it - but I know they said that his funeral was a lot of "firsts" The first they'd ever had bagpipes and actually the first that they used a military like formation and they practiced it and practiced it b/c they knew that they wanted to do it right and for John/Phred they HAD better do it right b/c he ran a very tight ship!
Carrie and I were talking to the Chief and we said "this is our first Fireman's funeral like this we'd never seen it before" And he said "yea ours too" chuckled and walked out the door. Well, I thought he was joking but in talking to Joan it WAS true. They had never done it in formation quite like that before. The back of the church was lined with about 20 firemen all in their dress blues and they stood with military precision. When stories were being told, and I told about my LA Firemen story the crowd was laughing and chuckling but none of the firemen cracked a smile, but as he was escorted down the aisle at the church several of them either had tears in their eyes or had tears running down their faces. The young girl that carried his helmet down the aisle ahead of the casket was quite emotional. He had sooooo many people that loved him.

[Taz_Zoee]

LES here again.
How could you not love Phred? He was the kindest man I've never met. Gosh, how I wish I could have met him. I always dreamed about going to one of the Findlay gatherings, partly just to meet him.
The day will come that I will get to meet him. I'm sure he will greet each one of us at the bridge with our babies that are there waiting for us.

[shais_mom]

Question: Why are bagpipes a part of funerals, especially firefighter and police funerals?
Answer: The history of funeral bagpipes is a fairly simple (though very sad) one. In traditional Celtic cultures, including both the Irish and Scottish cultures, bagpipes were an important part of a traditional funeral. After the Great Potato Famine of the mid-1840s, Irish immigrants came to the United States in huge numbers. Due primarily to racism and xenophobia, Irish people were often allowed to apply for only the most dangerous and difficult jobs, including the jobs of firefighter and police officer.

Work-related deaths for firemen and cops were not uncommon, and when one or more of these deaths would occur, the Irish community would hold a traditional Irish funeral, including the mournful bagpipes. Over the years, this tradition spread to firefighters and police officers who were not of Irish descent.

So if it's an Irish tradition, why are the Scottish bagpipes used?

In short, it's because the Scottish highland bagpipes are significantly louder than the traditional Irish uillean pipes. Though it's likely that either or both types of pipes were used at funerals in the 1800s, the Scottish highland pipes are now almost universally used.

Where do they find bagpipers to play at firefighter and police officer's funerals?

Fire and police departments in most major cities have a special brigade, usually as a division of an Irish fraternal group called The Emerald Society, who learn to play bagpipes and drums for the very purpose of honoring their fallen comrades. In some places, civilians may be members of the pipe and drum band, but generally, the members are active or retired firefighters and police officers.

[shais_mom]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVNKSUEEJVE

[rosethecopycat]

I am just seeing this thread.

Godspeed Phred.

You helped me keep a 'childlike' perspective on life that will continue on.

You will always be remembered.

[Grace]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVNKSUEEJVE

Thank you, Staci. Major LES here.

[Freckles]

Staci, that 4th video is excellent. Sound was good and you must have used a tripod. Minister's remembrances of Phred were perfect.
Could hear you chuckling a few times.