jlee's blog

The Pipe band will be playing at this brothers funeral. The info is listed below. Sean contracted cancer after working at the WTC Site, he was only 35 years old.

 Wake:

Thursday & Friday 2pm - 4pm , 7pm - 9:30pm

Bartholomew Funeral Home 

302 South Bedford Ave 

Bellmore, NY 11710

Funeral:

Saturday May 31, 10 AM
St Barnabas the Apostle Church
2320 S. Bedford Avenue
Bellmore NY 11710

Join us for the “March
Never Ends”

FDNY PIPES &
DRUMS BENEFIT

Featuring Shilelagh Law
McFadden’s Restaurant & Bar
800 2nd Ave (Between E 42nd St and
E 43rd)
Manhattan, NY 10017
www.mcfaddens42.com

www.fdnypipesanddrums.com

www.halfthebottle.com

Come out and join the
FDNY Pipes and Drums at this Post-St. Patrick's Day celebration. Monies raised
will help keep the band going.

$45 gets you an open bar
from 8-11pm. There will be
performances by members of the Pipes and Drums and Shilelagh Law starts playing at 9pm ending at 12am. Come out and support
NY's Bravest!

Well as always the FDNY Pipe Band was well prepared for the day we all wait for every year. This year proved to be exceptionally busy for the band but we stepped up to the challenge and got it done. It actually started Sunday night when we sent 5 members to Washington DC to perform for the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Ireland. On Monday morning while the rest of the band was getting ready in NY these members, Pipe Sergeant Joe Duggan, Piper Kevin O'Hagan, Piper Brian Meagher and Drummers Jerry Murtha and Hugh Duffy were playing at the White House to kick off their St. Patrick's Day festivities. Click here to see the press release from the White House, if you click the video link on the page you can see our members play!! 

Meanwhile back in NY, we had to cover some other events. We had members play on Good Morning America, CNN, and we sent 6 members to play at a breakfast held by the Brooklyn DA, Charles Hynes. After all these events we over the band formed up at 47th street and 5th Ave to get ready for the march. The weather was cold and windy but the Pipers and Drummers looked and sounded great. We had a reception afterwards for our friends and families, where we honored our newest members of the band. Overall, despite the many events that we handled everything went as smooth as you could hope for. Thanks for all those who came out to support the FDNY Pipes and Drums. Pictures will be posted as soon as they are available.

The members of the FDNY Pipes and Drums enjoyed the sunny weather and southern hospitality on Friday March 14th as we marched in the annual St. Patrick's day parade in Savannah, Georgia. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for the members of the band as Savannah holds their parade on the 17th as well as NYC. Due to Holy Week and Easter being moved up this year the parades had two different dates, so we took advantage. The members were well received by the people of Savannah and despite multiple flight delays both ways due to weather and broken airplanes we still managed to have a great time. Pictures will be posted as soon as they become available!!

13 members of the FDNY Pipes and Drums along with members of the NYPD Pipes and Drums traveled to Avondale Louisiana to perform at the Christening of the new Navy Marine transport ship the USS New York. Part of the Bow was created using steel salvaged from the World Trade Center Site.

The bands played jointly during the ceremony. To see the video of the program click here if you want to see just the band performance, forward to 52:00 minutes.

After the ceremony, Chief Joe Buras and Operator (Truck Chauffeur) John Gallagher who are members of the New Orleans Fire Department took the band members out for a tour of the town. They arranged for the band to perform at an Irish pub called Finn McCools and they couldn't have been any nicer to us. Joe and John also set up for us to march down Bourbon street, which was an unforgettable experience. The members of the FDNY Pipe Band would especially like to thank these two fine gentlemen for their hospitality while we were in their city. A good time was had by all who attended this wonderful ceremony.

For more pictures of the christening, click here

The band would like to congratulate Tim and Tom on passing their grueling audition.

Tim is a Lieutenant covering in the 3rd Division in Manhattan. Tim has been playing the pipes for quite a few years and learned under the tutelage of former FDNY Pipes and Drums Pipe Major and Father Eddie Geraghty.

Tom is a Fireman in 55 truck in the South Bronx and has been studying under the tutelage of Pipe Instructor John Bradley. Tom started learning the pipes with the DCFD Pipe Band, but prior to playing with them, he was hired by the FDNY.

Again congratulations to these fella's we look forward to their participation in many, many, events!!

Tommy and Tim after their audition

Timmy and his Father Eddie

Some of the band members participated in the ski races this and for the first time in a few years actually fielded a team. Normally the Firemen wear their ski pants and boots while donning their turnout coat and helmet. The pipers and drummers decided to wear the coat and helmet, but instead of ski pants went with the traditional kilt. We hear it may have been a little cold when they took a spill. After the races, the band played at a plaque dedication ceremony back in the lodge. To see more pictures click here.

The 08 Ski Race team in action.

2nd Annual Stephen Siller Foundation Night
Saturday, February 16th, 2008
Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers @ 7pm

First 10,000 fans will receive a Rick DiPietro bobblehead courtesy of GEICO
Tickets start at just $20!

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the FDNY, Nassau, and Suffolk
County Burn Center Foundations

For tickets to this game call 1.800.882.ISLES EXT. 3 or email
customerservice@newyorkislanders.com for more information.'

Saturday, February 16th, 2008
Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers @ 7pm

First 10,000 fans will receive a Rick DiPietro bobblehead courtesy of GEICO
Tickets start at just $20!

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the FDNY, Nassau, and Suffolk
County Burn Center Foundations

For tickets to this game call 1.800.882.ISLES EXT. 3 or email
customerservice@newyorkislanders.com for more information.'

Matt Beatty of Rescue 1 and Chris Brennan of Engine 58 both took their grueling piping auditions on January 29th. They both satisfied the panel of 5 judges with their technique and playing abilities. These 2 were part of a class that started 2 years ago for new pipers. They studied under the tutelage of former pipe sergeant Robert King. We would like to congratulate them on passing and welcome them into the pipe band! Below are pictures of them performing their auditions.

Matt BeattyChris Brennan

Hugh Duffy
The band would like to congratulate snare drummer Hugh Duffy who was recently promoted to Lieutenant. Hugh served as a fireman in Engine 68 and Ladder 49. He is currently at the rock taking classes for the newly promoted Lieutenants, once he completes this he will be re-assigned to the field. Again congratulations to Hugh and good luck with your new position!