Thank you Rex.
I lurk about here on this forum from time to time but I don't think I've ever posted. I felt compelled to reply due to Rex's kind words.
I was one of the two you asked. The one that replied is my brother, a drummer in the band, I am a piper. In fact, the piper right behind the drum major in the posted picture.
I thought you looked familiar, but I couldn't place from where.
I would have stopped to talk had I known but we were also in a hurry to muster for the start of the parade.
Just to let it be known, I am a firefighter and so is my brother and there is another firefighter in the band also, although it is a police band. We come together to play at such events. Unfortunately we are called all too often to do so.
Just recently we played for two local firefighters killed in a structure fire when the floor cllapsed, plunging them into a fully involved basement fire. They were firefighters with my brother's department.
We were so proud to play. That is the reason most of us started to play in the first place.
We had kilted firemen from all over the country including Canada come to play with us.
I surmise it is also just another excuse to wear the kilt. As I wear it as often as possible.
Sorry if I brought the mood down and if I'm a bit long winded (especially for a first post) but I wanted to say thank you for the kind words.

Jeff