What are your opinions of Musicians beside Buglers at Military Internments?

2018-04-10T12:16:42-04:00

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?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2018 3:29 PM

2018-04-10T15:29:26-04:00

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.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Apr 10 at 2018 3:51 PM

2018-04-10T15:51:24-04:00

I understand your concerns as I certainly would not take a guitar to an interment with rain or snow forecast. I agree with Jamie that a bagpiper would enhance a service in most faiths. Nevertheless, you must consider the climate environment before you participate with bagpipes.

You may wish to get a hymn book that pertains to the person's faith and see what numbers you could perform. "Amazing Grace" is always a comfortable number to play unless the deceased is atheist. Of prime importance, seek counsel from the deceased' loved ones for numbers to perform. I'm not sure how versatile bagpipes may be with most songs other than "Amazing Grace."

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 10 at 2018 5:50 PM

2018-04-10T17:50:54-04:00

Going Home and Highland Cathedral are played here in E TN.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2018 8:21 AM

2018-04-11T08:21:31-04:00

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.