Yesterday I participated in a funeral service for a retired firefighter in Sun City, AZ. He was 97. He had to take a disability retirement due to a back injury from a fall while on duty in 1959. At the time he was the Deputy Assistant Chief of the New York City Fire Department.

Al was a grand gentleman who still recited the checklist for arriving on the scene of a fire, and was very supportive of the local firefighting community until the time of his death. His home was filled with fire fighting memorabilia, including a fire bell for his door bell.

The funeral was attended by a lot of fire fighters. The Scottsdale Fire Department provided the honor guard. The Sun City Fire Department arranged for the local ceremonies and one of their members was the piper. There was a large contingent of FDNY retired fire fighters in uniform. Al's white fire hat sat next to the folded US flag and container with his ashes.

The piper from the Sun City FD did a great job. He was dressed in his piper's doublet, piper's fly plaid, crossbelt, kilt, spats, etc.

Perhaps the most stirring moment was when we went outside the church to the parking lot for the ringing of the last bell by the FDNY. The piper led the way bringing people out of the church. As we approached the parking lot, where a ladder truck was parked, two F-16s flew over low. It was pure happenstance, but how appropriate. (We're near Luke AFB -- the training base for F-16 pilots.)

A retired Air Force Colonel who was there, said that if one of the F-16s had pulled out of formation, she would have lost it. I agree.

I know that there are a number of fire fighters and pipers on the board. I thought that you would be interested.

To the fire fighters, thank you for your service. I was proud of what I saw yesterday as one of your own was honored.

Frank

P.S. Sorry, no pictures -- not appropriate, although I would have liked to have had one of the piper.