Firefighter from NYC Funeral Service -- w/ piper and fly over

[Spartan]

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.

[piperdbh]

Sounds like a pleasant but sad experience. I've played for funerals that were really uplifting, in a way.

Not meaning any disrespect to your late friend, but I thought firefighters did not "allow" cremation?

[Spartan]

Sounds like a pleasant but sad experience. I've played for funerals that were really uplifting, in a way.

Not meaning any disrespect to your late friend, but I thought firefighters did not "allow" cremation?

I have no idea. This is what he arranged. His cremains were placed in the church columbarium next to his wife's, who died about 12-14 years ago.

[macwilkin]

Frank,

May light perpetual shine upon Al.

Your story reminded me of my grandfather taking me to Luke when I was in junior high. Security was much different back then, and he had a "calling card" from when he was discharged in 1946 that "would serve to introduce him at all Army Air Force installations". The USAF, I'm pleased to say, still honoured the card, and the airmen at the front gates of Luke (and D-M in Tucson) would always throw him a salute and a "thank you for your service, sir" (even though he was a Tech. 4th class!)

When he passed on in 2005, our priest conducted the graveside ceremony in his Class "A's" -- he was a Colonel in the Chaplain's Corps -- your story brought that day back, but in a good way.

Regards,

Todd

[Kiltedfirepiper]

when a police officer was shot here in Tucson I participated ( last minute) in the ceremony at grave side. I was going just to pay my respects in uniform with blessings from the Fire Chief, when I got there I ended up talking with the pipers there. about 9 of them all together. well I was asked to play as well so I called the wiffee and she made it down to the cemetary about 10 mins. before the funeral procession. this story brings back memories of that day last year.

once I'm off probation ( booter year) I hope to become part of the Honor Guard ( I have already performed functions, I played for the state of the town address for the city of Oro Valley, the "holiday " parade, and most recently the graduation of the new recruits last month. .. something tells me I may just have a spot on the honor guard already)
it is my hope that the only graveside services are like the one you described, for retired members. and not an LODD. but if the call comes in I will be there.. pipes ready

thanks for your support
KFP

[GMan]

These are always touching memories. Bless him.

[Giuseppe]

Sounds like a pleasant but sad experience. I've played for funerals that were really uplifting, in a way.

Not meaning any disrespect to your late friend, but I thought firefighters did not "allow" cremation?

I dunno. I've been in the fire service for sixteen years and that's the first time I've ever heard of such a "rule". In fact, one of my best friends like to joke that he wants to be cremated, carried on the rig, and then dumped into the tank water and sprayed onto the next big fire after his death...

[macneighill]

HUH? I agree with Giuseppe . . in my almost 20 years as a Firefighter, I've never heard of any such rule either??? I think that would be a personal choice, not a departmental.

I've only been to a few Firefighter funerals and, they are all tear jerkers. I know this sounds odd but, when I hear the Amazing Grace being played on pipes, I want to start crying. In my almost 20 years, I've only experienced the loss of a close fellow Firefighter, he was from my Company. That was the hardest thing that I've ever had to deal with. It was the first time I had to deal with a loss on a close, personal level . . he was a very good friend of mine. I think I cried for about a year straight.

About 4 and a half years ago, we lost a Firefighter here in Jefferson County, Kentucky . . it was great to see our brothers and sisters come from all around the area and state to pay their respects.

I know this sounds odd but, I appreciate you sharing your story. Though I do not know each of them personally, it hits home when I hear of a loss of a brother or sister. Sadly, on average, we lose about 100+ Firefighters annually in the US (these are Line of Duty Deaths).

[The Barry]

Thanks for sharing this touching story.

[piperdbh]

Giuseppe and Macneighill,
I once read an autobiography of a boy whose father had been a firefighter, and when he died (the father), the evil mother had him cremated, which had been his biggest fear. That;s where I got that info. Of course it would be a personal decision, and I admire your friend who wants to be sprayed onto a fire. My uncle wants his ashes sprinkled into ghis tomato patch, because he says ashes help tomatoes grown nice and dark red.
I didn't mean to turn this thread away from its original post. I've enjoyed reading the other posts in it.