If you are looking for the Colorado Report check HERE:
It has been a while since I posted any thing of any substance and for many reasons. Yesterday, I open my e-mail and find a comment awaiting moderation I click the link to see the comment and its from one of my fire fighting brethren from a far off state. He posted a comment about my post a while ago “Top 5 Baddest Fire Department Pipe Bands”.
I was curious so I check the stats on my site and found nearly 500 visits to that post, some how the link has made it to several of the bands I listed and they have posted on their sites. In return I am going to list their sites so you may further check out these great bands. If you feel so inclined I recommend purchasing some of their shirts, hats, stickers or even their Cd’s. The bands are made up of people who love the fire service and the tradition of the fire service and don’t get paid for what they do. Most of the time, and I can speak from experience, you spend a lot of money just to be in the band but it pales to the honor you can be a part of when you are in the band.
Next Friday I am leaving for Colorado Springs for the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial with my best friend Tom. This year is a particularly solemn year we are going to see Michael Reilly’sname added to the Memorial wall. Michael served proudly in the USMC with my friend Tom in Iraq and was tragically killed in the line of duty while serving the Fire Department of New York. Tom wanted to go and asked if I wanted to so I said abso-friggin-lutely.
I will write a full report on my return. If your at the memorial you can find Tom and I belly up to the bar at Jack Quinn’s on Tejon street. This is where we spent most of our time in 2002 when we went. We will be the ones wearing Union shirts and drinking an insane amount of Guinness.
If your going to be at the Memorial shoot me an e-mail HOOLIGANMIND@Comcast.net.
See you at Quinn’s,
Hooligan
“TOP 5 Baddest Fire Department Pipe and Drum Bands or Fire Department Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Bands”
Number 5
Band: Cleveland Fire Pipes and Drums
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
HOOLIGAN Says: As much as it pains me to admit anything good actually does come from Ohio in this case I must. Powerful pipes and drum corps they will literally be at anything fire related whether it be a funeral or a party these guys come to play, and play they do. I have seen them both at the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial and at FDIC always give a powerful performance in a bar in the street or in a parade they play it well and with great honor.
NUMBER 4
BAND: DCFD Pipes and Drums
LOCATION: Washington D.C.
HOOLIGAN Says: Want to know what a drummers salute is? Watch the drum line from the DCFD. Nice sized Corps lots of young and painfully talented players.
NUMBER 3
BAND: Seattle Fire Department Pipes and Drums
LOCATION: Seattle, Washington
HOOLIGAN Says: One of the smaller corps I chose but their numbers pale in comparison to the sound they bring. HELLA nice guys, show up at most major events. Their game is real tight from marching to playing.
NUMBER 2
BAND: Techinally its called the Florida Pipes and Drums but its the Orlando, Palm Beach County and Tampa Fire Departments Pipes and drums
LOCATION: Florida
HOOLIGAN Says: If you dont want to party and drink an insane amount of adult beverages then heed my warning and stay far far away from this crowd. The Palm Beach Boys are famous for their party behavior and they attend EVERYTHING! From Florida to Maine to Washington to Cali there is a group from Palm Beach County.
NUMBER 1
BAND: FDNY Pipes and Drums
LOCATION: New York City
HOOLIGAN Says: The FDNY epitomizes Fire Department Pipes and Drums. As dedicated to the tradition and honor of the pipes and drums as any band in the nation, hands down. They go absolutely everywhere not only in the nation but in the world to play. To see them play live and in person is quite a sight and sound to behold and is nearly deafening. To give you some indication to the dedication these guys have they played at 343+ funerals following the terrorist attacks of 9-11. They most recently played in SC at the funeral of the 9 Charleston Fire Fighters. They travel on their own dime just to pay tribute to fallen fire fighters the world over. They come in droves and they come to play the Pipes and Drums.
Another great post. It triggered me to start looking for other simular videos on you tube.
The Swiss Top Secret Drum Corps. Pretty cool. And I think it was 700 pipes and drums playing Scottland the brave real good.
Qball
Thanks for ranking the Florida FD pipe bands at #2, and giving props to the the Palm Beach County Band…..
Hi All..Great to see who are the 5 top Fire Dept. Bands in the USA , as we have played with all of them and it has been an Honor .. For those who might read this and are coming to FDIC in Indy in 2008 , Please do not forget to bring your pipes and drums and kilts and your bands T- Shirts and white shirt and come play with us that week.. the band has grown every year and last year we had 48 playing that week .. next year we hope to have over 60..please come and have a fun week with us…
Clayton Thomas..Drum Major and Business Mgr..
( 317 ) 445-9548…..cell phone….tks……….
Nice picks, gotta check out Seattle’s rendition of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Not traditional pipes, but probably one of the better “pop” tunes I’ve heard for pipes. Ferg, beware, KAPDA is coming to take you guys down a notch!
FDNY Pipes and Drums…..Ive seen them play at a Capt. funeral and Im telling you….there wasnt a dry eye in the house! That department and band is the definition of what being a firefighters all about. And thats the brotherhood and tradition.