CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — Aside from the periodic hum of a
hovering MV-22 Osprey in the distance or the muted chatter of soldiers,
sailors and Marines milling about in front of the stage, all else was
silent.
Then Lance Cpl. Rory MacEachern started to play
Lance Cpl. Rory MacEachern opened of Toby Keith on a USO tour. He
captured everyones attention, maybe it was the sound of the bagpipe in
such a far away location.
For the time being though, he is quite happy playing to his brothers
and sisters in arms. In addition to the occasional evening performance
here, MacEachern has treated the hundreds of newly-minted Marines and
their families to an impromptu performance in front of the Iwo Jima
Memorial upon graduating from recruit training aboard Marine Corps
Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. He also played as part of the
graduation ceremonies upon completing military occupational specialty
school aboard Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
According to MacEachern, it’s his personal way to keep spirits up.
“A
lot of people are pretty surprised to hear bagpipes playing out here,”
he said. “I get mixed emotions – people love it or hate it – but, for
the most part Marines seem to really like it. I think it helps bring
morale up and that’s always a good thing out here.”
There is great flexibility depending on the desires of the family.
The following provides some suggestions based on the location.
At a Church or Memorial Hall
Before the Service
The bagpipe can be used very
effectively
as mourners arrive to create an air of solemnity and
reflection,
Additionally, I can meet a hearse, if appropriate and start the
processional of the service and lead the pall-bearers and casket to the front door.
At the end of the Service
If a casket is present, I can again lead the pall-bearers and casket back out
to to the waiting hearse, and continue playing as
the casket is being loaded. If there is no casket, or if the family
desires this instead, the piper can play near the door as the mourners
leave.
Playing At the Cemetery
Before the Service Begins
As the hearse arrives I start playing
so that as the family arrives they hear my bagpipe. I then stand at
attention, until clergy arrives. I speak with clergy and your attendant
about where and when I will play. As the pall-bearers take the casket
from the
hearse. I lead the procession to the grave site, playing a tune.
At the completion of the Service
When the clergy has concluded the
service, I play “Amazing
Grace” through once and slowly walk away into the distance. The music
will follow me and this is the appropriate time for final family
announcements by a funeral attendant.
This is what I, as the bagpiper walked into, at every bar and every restaurant.
Decades ago I would play in pipe bands during the yearly Baltimore’s St. Patricks Day Parade. Then rasing a family and work limited my activity in those wonderful bands. To keep my skills fresh and continue to perform for others I started to play the pipe in bars and restaurants.
Prior to the day I would arrange with the owners of said establishments to perform a “walk through”. This consisted of myself showing up in full kilt, unexpectedly for the patrons and “walk through” the establishment.
Quite often after playing the bagpipe while practicing in a park or after a performance, I am asked if I have Scottish or Irish ancestry. My response is that yes, there is some in my family history, but I do not think that matters much. To everyone’s surprise I relate that one of the finest pipers in Baltimore can trace his ancestry to Poland.
The bagpipe as we know it, is named The Great Highland Bagpipe. It comes from Scotland and is played and enjoyed the world over. This occurred because of the expanse of the British Empire. Follow along with me and I will explain.
Have you ever noticed a bagpipers knife?
It is the wee knife
displayed in the top of their kilt hose.
The name comes from the
Scottish Gaelic sgian-dubh. Pronounced skee-ən-DOO
The primary meaning of the term is Black Knife, refers not to the
color but the hidden aspect of the knife. It would be carried under
ones’ armpit or out of sight until needed. Scotland was a rough and
tumble place in ancient history.
Courtesy and etiquette would demand that when entering the home of a
friend, any concealed weapons would be revealed. Thus it follows that
the knife would be removed from its hiding place and displayed in the
stocking top held securely by the flashes.
The 1995 film Rob Roy staring Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange, has
Ms. Lange playing Rob Roy’s wife. In order to keep from being
blackmailed, Mrs. Roy cuts a rivals throat.
Quickly, silently as this knife was intended to be used, not very lady like but the end was achieved.
When piper Bill Millin crashed ashore at Sword Beach on D-Day 1944, he was armed only with his pipes and the sgian-dubh, or “black knife”, sheathed inside his kilt-hose on the right side.
