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 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.
