Posted on Apr 10, 2018
SFC Quinn Chastant
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I am a Retiree, U.S. Army (Reserve) and DoD Firefighter, and hold an unusual skill set as a bagpiper. I've done more than a few events for Departed Service Members and Veterans over the years. Often as a member of the VFW Honor Guard. Almost every service I've participated in has had a some variables, mostly due to family requests. But with that said I have a few questions:

What are your opinions of Musicians beside Buglers at Military Internments?
Is there a common tune list, for instrumentals,you feel appropriate?
Do members of the funeral party also understand that climatic conditions can adversely affect both the musician(s) and instrument(s)?
And finally aside from Amazing Grace and Branch of Service Specific Tunes if the musician can play them, what tunes would you like to hear at funeral/memorial services?
Posted in these groups: Funeral honors1 FuneralF811e08a Music
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Responses: 4
SSG Aircraft Mechanic
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I personally find bagpipes to be appropriate. I think they're more common with LEOs and Firefighters, but I've heard them at military funerals before. Sgt. Mackenzie is one that's on my "to be played" list when it's my time.
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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
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I've repeatedly told my wife that whatever it costs, whoever has to be contacted...I want a piper at my plantin'.

My opinion is that the veteran being interned, and their family take priority; if they want the guy's Buddy Band to play Stairway to Heaven on the ukulele...so be it. Obviously more formal protocols govern how a military funeral should be conducted by honor guards, and that too should be respected for the sake of tradition.

Still, I think the pipes are so intrinsically linked to international military tradition, no one with any decency or decorum would ever question them if the deceased or their family desired it so.
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SGM Bill Frazer
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Going Home and Highland Cathedral are played here in E TN.
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