A Kilted Firefighter's Thread; Any and all talk about Firefighters and Kilts

[Leatherhead Projects]

I wanted a place for Fire Service Kilted members to talk about our kilts, bands, history, tradition, honor, brotherhood! So here it is! Happy posting!

Bagpipe history in the fire service:

The tradition of bagpipes played at fire department and police 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 Great Highland 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 bagpipes really took hold in the fire department. In the 1800's, Irish immigrants faced massive discrimination. 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 - firefighters 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 bagpipes when his dignity would not let him weep for a fallen comrade.

Those who have attended a funeral where bagpipes were played know how haunting and mournful the sound of the pipes can be. The most famous song played at fire and police funerals is Amazing Grace. It wasn't too long before families and friends of non-Irish firefighters began asking for the bagpipes to be played for fallen heroes. The bagpipes add a special air and dignity to this solemn occasion.

Bagpipe bands represent both fire and police often have more than 60 uniformed playing 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 bagpipes have become a distinguishing feature of a fallen hero's funeral.


Leatherhead Projects
Fireater303

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"Tradition, Honor, Brotherhood"

[Mac Ghille Sheathanaich]

Just wanted to welcome you into the Family Brother! Glad you made it. I am sure you will make many friends here, as I have

Fide et Fortitudine, aye!

T.
Caldwell Idaho

[Garry Oak]

Welcome to XMTS, from another new guy!

When I get my first kilt, it's going to be one of Rocky's, in the FF Memorial tartan. I was a volunteer FF from June of '98 to November of 2004, and it was the USAK web site that prompted me to start considering wearing a kilt. Five years ago, I moved here to the old family farm, 900 miles from my old volunteer Department. I'm eight miles away from the local fire station, and that's outside the area that their guidelines permit. I miss running calls; it gets into your blood. I'll always think of myself as a a firefighter.

Now I'm off to look at the pictures that you've posted. ith:

Edited to add: I'm back; neat leather work!

[Nighthawk]

Three new guys in one thread!

I'm not a firefighter myself, but there are of course several on here. So to all of you- as the history written here says, you're all hero's. Bonnets off to you all! Law enforcement officers and firefighters (and all other uniformed servicemen) are certainly, in my opinion, deserving of their own subforum.

[Garry Oak]

We're happy to have a thread, Nighthawk; thanks for your kind words.

[BEEDEE]

Three new guys in one thread!

I'm not a firefighter myself, but there are of course several on here. So to all of you- as the history written here says, you're all hero's. Bonnets off to you all! Law enforcement officers and firefighters (and all other uniformed servicemen) are certainly, in my opinion, deserving of their own subforum.

That is the primary reason behind our establishing a social groups. Establishing sub-forums for different groups would be counter-productive to our primary emphasis on kilts, tartans etc. There is an existing Firefighters Social Group: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/group.php?groupid=67

Brian