What was it like, Walsh and Kennedy? Part one

     I've bumped into a lot of people the past few days. Each one asking the same question. "You play the funerals?" My answer of course, "yes I did." My response was followed up with "so tragic, what was it like?" I didn't really know how or have an answer. Each time I had to sit and think, what was it like? Awkwardly I would say to almost all of those people, "It was ok." As I sit here tonight, the word inspiring came to mind.

Boston Fire Lt ed Walsh

     Boston Fire Lieutenant Edward J. Walsh Jr. Perished in a valiant effort fighting a fierce wind driven fire in a brownstone nestled in Boston's Back Bay on March 26, 2014. A devoted and loving family man, he leaves behind his wife and three children. A second-generation firefighter, he loved the firefighters he worked alongside and found a home at Engine 33, Ladder 15. He loved working out of the "busy house" on Boylston. Eddie adored his young family and as a devoted father, he was deeply involved in his children's activities, spending many hours coaching his son in baseball, football, and basketball as well as daughters soccer team. His love of family and children extended even beyond his own as he consistently volunteered his time for the Brian McNeil Memorial Foundation, Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship Fund, Franciscan Children's Hospital, and others. In addition to his philanthropic efforts, Ed worked at the Oak Square YMCA as a facilities director. Ed clearly had a plan with his forever. His selflessness was inspiring.

   

380 pieces to this massed band for Lt Walsh

     We arrived in Watertown by 830am. Plenty of time to get ready and mingle. There were already about a hundred and fifty pipers and drummers from all over the country at the staging area when we arrived. Right away we saw the Gaelic Fire Brigade P&D and the Greater Boston FF P&D. The plan of the day was the Boston bands would lead the massive 380 piece massed band. As I met with the Pipe Majors of those bands they asked us to join them as we play together all of the time. We were honored to stand with them. It meant a lot, more than words on a page could describe. The instructor for The Brigade began tuning the bands from Boston. The circle of pipers was rather large and was taking him a little longer than I think he expected so I asked him if he wanted any help and without a second thought he told me to start on the other side. With the two of us the tuning went much faster and came out well. The remainder of the massed band was instructed to tune themselves respectively at 477hz. I know too technical for you non pipers, but the point is everyone knew where to be. Back to the plan of the day, Boston bands up front, with Worchester following, They would be leading the massed band beyond St Patrick's church as we were to peel off and circle in front of the church on the lawn. Worcester Fire Brigade would then take the remainder of the band beyond the church and up the street. I can only imagine the thoughts of the Worcester band for being given this honor. We here in MA sure do stick together in the times of need. Inspiring.

The salute to Lt Walsh

     I am quite sure you have all seen the photo. The little boy sporting the black fire helmet that donned his head so perfectly, wrapped in the tiny red fire coat with the words "Fire Chief" on the back. I saw him too. I know full well when you are in the circle you need to present yourself proper. Stand tall, at attention, eyes fixed front. I usually do much better but I caught a glimpse of the boy and lost myself. Once I saw him and his youthful innocence I couldn't contain myself as my eyes fixed on his saunter and continued that way as he made his way up walk way to the church. His inability to fully comprehend the feel of the day was oddly refreshing and his commitment to the salute was to say the least, inspiring.

     We would not enter the church during the service and were told we were free to move about. We were instructed to be back on the lawn in less than one hour. I began to make my way through the crowd looking for the Brockton Fire contingent, to no avail I might add. As I made my way through I kept seeing many guys I've known though my travels as a piper. It's always amazing to me that out of ten thousand or so people you can still find friends. I guess that is why they use that term brotherhood all of the time, I don't know. As I stood conversing with a fine gentleman from the Gaelic Brigade a woman from a Boston paper (that has been no friend in the past) came to us looking for a quote. I told her I had no comment. It was not my place, she seemed miffed that I did want to speak to her. I wasn't concerned, someone would give her the fuel she needed for her payday, it just wasn't going to be me. As we continued to speak many guys came up to us and the common theme was appreciation and admiration. I always find the admiration of your peers to be inspirational.

Panoramic view of the Boston Gaelic Fire Brigade, Greater Boston, and Brockton Firefighter Pipes & Drums in the circle.

     Following the service we played Amazing Grace as the casket moved from the church down the walk to the street and up onto Engine 33 for the Lieutenant's final ride. The band played well and held on for an incredible tribute to an incredible man. Once again I found myself looking at the front of the church. I lost myself again, but only for a moment. I'm happy I did. The moment I looked on I saw a young girl (quite possibly Walsh's daughter) as she made her way to the bottom of the stairs. The young girl wearing a pretty pink jacket, carrying a Minnie Mouse pocket book in one hand holding the woman's in the other. She stopped on the bottom step only for a short pause, she bent her knees and made the youthful jump that many of us parents have seen and been involved in since the beginning of time. Her face framed by beautiful blond locks carried a broad smile and her reflection of innocence bounced of the woman in such a positive way. This jump is so cute and fun each and every time. Can you not chuckle? Question, is it not true, the meaning of life is our children? It is apparent to me the Walsh's knew this. How can you not be inspired by that?

     We would then make our way to the cemetery for a service private to the family and the Boston Fire Department. After the beautiful service at the graveside I was left with many feelings. Through all I had seen today my reflections would be to Mrs. Walsh and those beautiful children. His family is left with a hole to fill. I can only hope the way we (the band) carried ourselves was enough to drive them through the day. Clearly what we do is not enough for them but as a community we can attempt to get them through all of this. As for the question, "what was it like?" Clearly it was sad, pain filled, demanding, and taxing, but I must say through all of that the feeling that is presented to me the most. Inspiration! Inspiration for the next day.

To be continued...

Peter

Thankful?

       Thankful.... This week is meant to remind us that we should all be thankful. The holiday/word or term "Thanksgiving" would seem to imply that we are to thank others for what they give us, but could it imply we should give thanks to others for allowing us to give to them. Either way being thankful should be thought provoking. Of course we are all thankful for our families, the time we spend, the food on the table, the roof over our heads, but do we really look deep into ourselves to know what we should truly be thankful for? 

       This week, myself and the pipe major of my band were the only ones available for practice, so we met up at a local pub to play there instead of a stuffy class room. We had an enjoyable evening piping, eating, drinking, and watching the Bruins on the big screen. There were many people at this pub enjoying the evening, not as many that were enjoying the Holiday parade yesterday but just the same they were having a good time. At both events people were clapping and cheering for all different reasons. The main reason I believe was because they were able to take a break from the craziness of life. I thought a lot that night about the holiday season.

       In recent years the month of December has been busy for the pipe & drum bands of Massachusetts. Holiday parades, the annual Firefighter of the year awards, even drill school graduations can fill the schedule. Inevitably we find dates, letters and numbers like W6, Dec. 8, and Dec 23, 2011 that shake our ability to be thankful for anything. These are just three events that will be forever engrained in our minds, testing our ability to be thankful this time of year. W6? That stands for the men of the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse fire of December 3, 1999, in Worcester, Massachusetts. It started when two homeless and mentally disabled people, who were living inside the warehouse, knocked over a candle after an argument earlier in the afternoon. Both fled without reporting the fire to emergency services. The result would be the death of the W6. Moving forward to December 8 in 2011 the City of Worcester would lose another one of its firefighters to fire and subsequent collapse while operating at a three story apartment building. This gentleman had been searching for victims, made it out, then returned for his final search, and once again our ability to be thankful was tested. Just a couple weeks following on December 28th of the same year we would head to Peabody to help the Peabody Fire Department carry one of their members on to the afterlife. Peabody had all hands working a three alarm blaze and this man was on the stairs between the first and second floors when he went down. He was rescued by his fellow firefighters but would later die in the hospital. So I ask how is it possible to be thankful when we are continuously reminded of the loss of others during this time of year, knowing any moment it can happen right here at home?

       I see that just yesterday, after seventy one years the City of Boston renamed Piedmont Street to Coconut Grove Ave. 17 Piedmont was were the Coconut Grove night club stood. On November 28, 1942 this club was the scene of the deadliest nightclub fire in history, killing 492 people, injuring hundreds more. The enormity of the tragedy shocked the nation and briefly replaced the events of World War II in newspaper headlines. It was the second-deadliest single-building fire in American history; only the 1903 Iroquois Theatre fire in Chicago had a higher death toll, of 602. The Coconut Grove led to a reform of safety standards and codes across the country, and major changes in the treatment and rehabilitation of burn victims. Although this sounds horrific can you imagine the people over the last seventy years that benefited from what was learned in the Coconut Grove? Clearly far more than 492 or even 602. This is sort of what happened in Worcester. Firefighter safety regulations once again changed after 1999. With the advent of PASS (personal alert safety system) devices, the implementation of the incident command system, and the realization of familiarity of your districts as well as numerous others. These lessons learned by these events will help to save lives, fact! So should we be thankful for that?

       Is it possible to believe that these men died, and although incredibly sad, we can learn from them?  I would like to think so. Is it an odd thought that I would be thankful to have been there for these men and their families? Thankful for being allowed to pay respect, to give? Were these men thankful to have the opportunity to give? Should I be thankful for this talent I have found? How about being thankful of my family for providing me the time to be there for these men, or thankful to my department for introducing me to this life and assisting me when it can to provide this service. Am I thankful these men passed doing what they believe in? What about the hundreds of Firefighters throughout the state (and country for that matter) who may risk themselves for others, am I thankful for them? Are they thankful to give? The guys I work with each day? Thankful for the freedom to express these thoughts?

Thankful they are dead? No, but Yes, I am thankful for:

Paul Brotherton 41 Rescue 1, Jeremiah Lucey 38 Rescue 1,

Thomas Spencer 42 Ladder Co. 2, Timothy Jackson 51 Ladder Co. 2,

James Lyons 34 Engine Co. 3, Joseph McGuirk 38 Engine Co. 3, Worcester  December 3, 1999.

Jon Davies 43  Rescue Squad 1 Worcester December 8, 2011.

James Rice 42 Engine Co. 5 Peabody December 28, 2011.

 How about you?

Peter