FF Michael Kennedy BFD L-15 |
Here we
are just one week since the funeral for Boston Firefighter Michael Kennedy. For
those of you that may be new to "A Piper's View," Michael died from
injuries sustained while operating in the basement of the 9 alarm fire located at 298 Beacon Street
just opposite the Charles River on March 26, 2014. Michael was born in Boston
on October 11, 1980 and served honorably for over 6 years in the U.S. Marine Corps
where he had earned the rank of Sergeant. Michael was a Combat Veteran of
Operation Iraqi Freedom prior to being appointed to the Boston Fire Department on
November 5, 2007, where he would work on Ladder 2 before moving on to Boylston
Street assigned to Ladder 15. Michael was a caring sort who gave and spent time
with others, joining the Big Brother Program in East Boston, working as a
fundraiser for the Wounded Warriors Project, and the Boston Firefighters Burn Foundation. So much has happened over the last week, but not one thing from
this day a week ago has left my mind.
The sun
was shining so bright on my arrival at the church where all of this pipe band
stuff started for me. That's right the funeral services for Kennedy are at the
same church where I stood in 1996 as a young wet behind the ears probationary
firefighter. Only this day I was not green and knew exactly what to expect.
This day I would not be in awe of the swing in the kilt or the snap and whip of
the flag. There were no snow covered grounds dusted deep in sand and soot. No
clouds in the sky and the starched polyester and bell cap were replaced with
wool and a Glen Garry. There would be no child staring back at me, I could not lose
focus today, heck I still had all my inspiration from the day before.
Funeral Procession of FF Kennedy as it passes the rotary |
We
arrived at the staging area and right away were grabbed by the Pipe Major of the
Boston Gaelic Fire Brigade. Today's plan would be slightly different from
yesterday. The Gaelic Brigade would play in front of the church while we would
be given the honor of leading the massed bands beyond. When I say we, I mean
Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes & Drums/Brockton Firefighter Pipes &Drums/Worcester Fire Brigade Pipes & Drums. After a short discussion prior
to a massed bands meeting with all the Pipe Majors and Band Managers I was
asked if I could go and begin to tune the bands. Everyone was pretty close to where
they needed to be so tuning was rather easy. So many people would stop me and
comment on the day prior and how wonderful the services were. Once again the
band would have well over 300 pieces for today, a great showing! One of the
guys on my department was walking by with his son, he had kept his son home
from school to pay his respects. I thought this was great. What he would learn
today could not be measured on one lost day in school. We would step off without
incident and this time I was able to see the other side as we made our way to
the church from the opposite side of the hill. There were people everywhere.
Not just the sidewalks but in windows and roof tops alike. It just seemed there
were more people today than the day before. This could be because West Roxbury
is far more open than Watertown. As we played the Minstrel Boy up the hill
toward the rotary I quickly realized maybe I didn't really fully have hold of
the feelings of the day, maybe my concentration wasn't as tight as I thought. There,
just opposite the church on the rotary is the Holy Name Elementary School. The
teachers had brought all of the children out and lined them along the fence. So
many of these kids standing and watching as we passed by. Waving the American
Flag and responding to us like this was a joyous occasion. I know these kids
didn't really understand fully what was going on but them being there created a
beautiful tribute to Kennedy.
Holy Name Church, Members Saluting FF Kennedy |
As we
passed by the church the Gaelic Brigade broke off to the front as we continued
on. Once the massed band made our way beyond the front of the church we would
finish playing. The Brigade would then take over and pipe the casket into the
church. The arrival went off like clockwork!! After we were dismissed I began
looking for the members of my department that had ridden in on two separate bus
loads. As I was making my way through the crowds, (many of the people were making
mention of how nice and fitting these two days have been) I saw a friend of
mine. His brother (Engine 2) and sister (Fire Alarm) are on my department. His
family is rich in the fire service as his father is retired a Boston Jake. He
himself is also alarm operator. He has been on the Boston Fire Department for quite sometime and took part in some of the communications during the fire that took the lives of Walsh and Kennedy. I had known that his wife
was the operator in charge of the fire so I asked him how she was doing. He had
told me how she was handling the whole thing, she is a trooper, and that she
was returning to work after taking just a couple days off. I don't blame her. This
woman was incredible and kept her wits about her through extreme tragedy. She
held her composure throughout the entire event never wavering even for a
second. A true professional. I can only imagine how proud of her the Boston
Fire Department and her family could be. A job well done!
Members of the American Infidels during church services |
I found
myself standing staring at the front of the church, almost exactly the spot I
stood 17 years ago. I couldn't help but think of the young boy (How it all Started) as I equated him to the men I had seen lined up in front of the church
earlier. These men all with bodies and faces that have clearly lived a life
time stood at attention wearing boots, jeans and the signature leather vests of
a motorcycle club. They were the members of the American Infidels, a motorcycle
club that Kennedy(Dork) belonged to. The club is made up of military men that
have the interest of motorcycles and camaraderie. These men have seen battle in
the field and have battled enough in their minds through their life time. They
may be standing differently than the boy so many years ago but their inside
emotion was just the same. I watched as they made their way up and into the
church marching in unison. These men knew brotherhood and it showed in the way
they carried themselves. It amazes me when you step back and take a look into
the life of others, you realize just how many people are affected when someone
is lost. Mind boggling.
to be
continued…
Peter
Well put Brother! It was an HONOR to play with you and all the other Proud Band Members! Signed, 792 Piper
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