thedrifter
08-21-05, 12:25 PM
Posted on Sat, Aug. 20, 2005
Military funeral bagpipers: recruiting the next generation
THOMAS J. SHEERAN
Associated Press
FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio - George Roudebush, a World War II Battle of the Bulge veteran, feels the heart strings tugging when a bagpipe plays at a military funeral, and he's done his part to recruit the next generation of pipers.
Roudebush, 80, of Chardon, a bagpiper for 32 years, has convinced his 12-year-old grandson to take up the pipes.
A bagpipe at a military funeral "fits so nicely with taps," Roudebush said while taking a break from his Red Hackle Pipes and Drums band practice in a veterans hall in suburban Cleveland. "The pipes have a place for us in memorial functions."
Military funerals for U.S. casualties in Afghanistan and Iraq - particularly the recent two-week series of services for Marines from an Ohio-based battalion - have highlighted the role of bagpipes and a unique sound that, for many, invokes just the right solemn tone.
The last of the scheduled funerals of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines killed in two attacks in early August was held Saturday in suburban Cincinnati for Marine Sgt. David Kreuter, 26, who was posthumously promoted from corporal.
Don Barner, 54, a Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam and assistant Lake County prosecutor, took up the pipes in 1989 after hearing them at a police officer's funeral and gets inspired when he occasionally plays at military funerals.
"I look at it as an honor to give tribute to guys I served alongside," Barner said as fellow band members practiced fan favorites including the "Marine Corps Hymn" and "Amazing Grace."
Donald B. Willis, 60, of Lyndhurst, an undertaker and 20-year bagpiper, said the unique sound makes the bagpipes fit into a teary-eyed funeral for a fallen service member.
"It's just marvelous sounds that bring out the emotion and it's a very respective sound," said Willis, who is about to publish a sequel to a first novel with a bagpipe theme.
"If you're happy, it will bring it out. If you're sad, it will bring out tears," he said.
Recruiting new pipers like Roudebush's grandson can involve family connections, sometimes without regard to military tradition or lump-in-the-throat funeral duty. Other factors include a fascination with the sound and an interest in trying something different.
"I thought it would be nice to try," said Kirby Weldon, 16, of Litchfield, who took up the bagpipes two years ago based on his mother's love for the pipes and a friend's involvement.
The Red Hackle band directed by Scottish-born Sandy Hain, 76, has fared well attracting newcomers. It's a mix of about 50 members including young, middle-aged and old.
Band member Nate Wiles, 14, of North Olmsted, said his family's Scottish-American roots and a cousin who plays nurtured his interest in the pipes.
Wiles said his involvement in school cross-country, track and wrestling teams helps his stamina for an instrument that requires a lot of lung power.
"You have to blow a lot of air into the bag. It keeps going out," he said.
And what do his North Olmsted High School classmates make of the bagpipes? "It's popular with the ladies," Wiles said.
Stephen Holter, 39, of Youngstown, played the pipes at the Corpus Christi, Texas, funeral of a nephew, Marine Cpl. Paul C. Holter III, 21, who died Jan. 14 in a non-combat incident at Camp Ramadi, Iraq.
"There is head-turning (attention) just because people don't see it very often," said Holter, who has gently encouraged his 3-year-old son's interest in bagpipes.
"He likes bagpipe music. He'll actually ask for it - CDs - in the car," Holter said. "I don't want to push him into it, but I want to provide him with the opportunity if he wants."
ON THE NET
Red Hackle band: www.redhacklepipeband.com
Eastern U.S. Pipe Band Association: www.euspba.org
Ellie
Military funeral bagpipers: recruiting the next generation
THOMAS J. SHEERAN
Associated Press
FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio - George Roudebush, a World War II Battle of the Bulge veteran, feels the heart strings tugging when a bagpipe plays at a military funeral, and he's done his part to recruit the next generation of pipers.
Roudebush, 80, of Chardon, a bagpiper for 32 years, has convinced his 12-year-old grandson to take up the pipes.
A bagpipe at a military funeral "fits so nicely with taps," Roudebush said while taking a break from his Red Hackle Pipes and Drums band practice in a veterans hall in suburban Cleveland. "The pipes have a place for us in memorial functions."
Military funerals for U.S. casualties in Afghanistan and Iraq - particularly the recent two-week series of services for Marines from an Ohio-based battalion - have highlighted the role of bagpipes and a unique sound that, for many, invokes just the right solemn tone.
The last of the scheduled funerals of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines killed in two attacks in early August was held Saturday in suburban Cincinnati for Marine Sgt. David Kreuter, 26, who was posthumously promoted from corporal.
Don Barner, 54, a Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam and assistant Lake County prosecutor, took up the pipes in 1989 after hearing them at a police officer's funeral and gets inspired when he occasionally plays at military funerals.
"I look at it as an honor to give tribute to guys I served alongside," Barner said as fellow band members practiced fan favorites including the "Marine Corps Hymn" and "Amazing Grace."
Donald B. Willis, 60, of Lyndhurst, an undertaker and 20-year bagpiper, said the unique sound makes the bagpipes fit into a teary-eyed funeral for a fallen service member.
"It's just marvelous sounds that bring out the emotion and it's a very respective sound," said Willis, who is about to publish a sequel to a first novel with a bagpipe theme.
"If you're happy, it will bring it out. If you're sad, it will bring out tears," he said.
Recruiting new pipers like Roudebush's grandson can involve family connections, sometimes without regard to military tradition or lump-in-the-throat funeral duty. Other factors include a fascination with the sound and an interest in trying something different.
"I thought it would be nice to try," said Kirby Weldon, 16, of Litchfield, who took up the bagpipes two years ago based on his mother's love for the pipes and a friend's involvement.
The Red Hackle band directed by Scottish-born Sandy Hain, 76, has fared well attracting newcomers. It's a mix of about 50 members including young, middle-aged and old.
Band member Nate Wiles, 14, of North Olmsted, said his family's Scottish-American roots and a cousin who plays nurtured his interest in the pipes.
Wiles said his involvement in school cross-country, track and wrestling teams helps his stamina for an instrument that requires a lot of lung power.
"You have to blow a lot of air into the bag. It keeps going out," he said.
And what do his North Olmsted High School classmates make of the bagpipes? "It's popular with the ladies," Wiles said.
Stephen Holter, 39, of Youngstown, played the pipes at the Corpus Christi, Texas, funeral of a nephew, Marine Cpl. Paul C. Holter III, 21, who died Jan. 14 in a non-combat incident at Camp Ramadi, Iraq.
"There is head-turning (attention) just because people don't see it very often," said Holter, who has gently encouraged his 3-year-old son's interest in bagpipes.
"He likes bagpipe music. He'll actually ask for it - CDs - in the car," Holter said. "I don't want to push him into it, but I want to provide him with the opportunity if he wants."
ON THE NET
Red Hackle band: www.redhacklepipeband.com
Eastern U.S. Pipe Band Association: www.euspba.org
Ellie