When the Battle's O'er

100 Years later

      November 11th, 2018 on the 11th hour (signed at 0600) marks 100 years of the signing of the Armistice of Compiegne. This ended the Great War and there is a tune every bagpiper who has been playing for more than 5 years knows that commemorates this. As a bagpiper in Dunedin, a city with a rich bagpipe history, I enjoy learning about the tunes we play. Some are traditional folk songs, some happened one drunken night, and far too many commemorate the end of a war, battle, or the loss of a warrior.
      When the Battle's O'er is such a tune and the College of Piping trying to get pipers from all over the world to pipe this tune at the same time. I will be playing the City of Doral's Veteran's Day Parade in South Florida that day. I will play that tune several times that day and not out of repetition or tradition, but respect. We have warriors still in battle this very day all over the world. I am always honored to play for them and especially to pipe their branches march for them. 
​      In Tama Bay we have no shortage of military pride! With an Air Force Base, Coast Guard Airstation, Coast Guard Base, and many Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotillas. At MacDill AFB, you can find every branch and so we are blessed to have such a protection in our area. Always, take the time to thank a veteran, active duty personnel, police officer, firefighter, EMT, and all first responders as they selfishly sacrifice years of their life to protect ours.
​      Any bagpipers who haven't yet signed up, do so! Post photos, video clips, and encourage your city to do something to celebrate if they don't. Next year will be an even of importance to get the kids out and learn some of our history! I've been fortunate to know and speak to some WWI veterans and take time and instead of Googling accounts for school papers, go to the local VFW and hear it directly. 

​Bagpipers sign up here:  100 Years of Remembrance

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