The FDNY band that played at funerals for fallen brothers | 60 Minutes Archive

60 Minutes Rewind 60 Minutes Rewind >> 343 >> 343 >> 343 New York City firemen died under the New York City firemen died under the New York City firemen died under the rubble of the World Trade Center. rubble of the World Trade Center. rubble of the World Trade Center. But a New York City Fire Department But a New York City Fire Department But a New York City Fire Department tradition is living on, stronger than tradition is living on, stronger than tradition is living on, stronger than ever, and more significant than anyone ever, and more significant than anyone ever, and more significant than anyone could have imagined. could have imagined. could have imagined. For 40 years, a small band of brothers, For 40 years, a small band of brothers, For 40 years, a small band of brothers, full-time firefighters and part-time full-time firefighters and part-time full-time firefighters and part-time musicians, have performed at the musicians, have performed at the musicians, have performed at the department occasions, the happy and the department occasions, the happy and the department occasions, the happy and the sad, the weddings, the parades, and sad, the weddings, the parades, and sad, the weddings, the parades, and every once in a while, the funerals. every once in a while, the funerals. every once in a while, the funerals. But since September 11th, every once in But since September 11th, every once in But since September 11th, every once in a while has become every day, and on a while has become every day, and on a while has become every day, and on some days, every few hours. some days, every few hours. some days, every few hours. By the time we share our Thanksgiving By the time we share our Thanksgiving By the time we share our Thanksgiving dinners, the band will have played at dinners, the band will have played at dinners, the band will have played at about 300 services. The snare of drums and the bellowing of The snare of drums and the bellowing of bagpipes has been echoing in the canyons bagpipes has been echoing in the canyons bagpipes has been echoing in the canyons and suburbs of New York City ever since and suburbs of New York City ever since and suburbs of New York City ever since September 11th.

>> We played many other funerals over the >> We played many other funerals over the years, years, years, but this has been just It's like almost but this has been just It's like almost but this has been just It's like almost every day. every day. every day. >> And you go from one to the next to the >> And you go from one to the next to the >> And you go from one to the next to the next, and it's the same. Never get used next, and it's the same. Never get used next, and it's the same. Never get used to it. to it. to it. >> The 70 members of the New York City Fire >> The 70 members of the New York City Fire >> The 70 members of the New York City Fire Department Emerald Society Pipes and Department Emerald Society Pipes and Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums have hung up their firemen's Drums have hung up their firemen's Drums have hung up their firemen's helmets and donned kilts full-time. helmets and donned kilts full-time. helmets and donned kilts full-time. >> I played more in 6 weeks, buried more >> I played more in 6 weeks, buried more >> I played more in 6 weeks, buried more guys in 6 weeks than I've done in 23 guys in 6 weeks than I've done in 23 guys in 6 weeks than I've done in 23 years as a firefighter. years as a firefighter. years as a firefighter. >> But they know burying them all is not >> But they know burying them all is not >> But they know burying them all is not likely. Only a few firemen in these likely. Only a few firemen in these likely. Only a few firemen in these ruins have been identified. For most, ruins have been identified. For most, ruins have been identified. For most, this will be their final burial ground. this will be their final burial ground. this will be their final burial ground. For those who are found, there are For those who are found, there are For those who are found, there are funerals. For the rest, memorial funerals. For the rest, memorial funerals. For the rest, memorial services. And the band will be there for services. And the band will be there for services. And the band will be there for all of them. all of them. all of them. The men plan to be playing at churches The men plan to be playing at churches The men plan to be playing at churches beyond Christmas. beyond Christmas. beyond Christmas. >> I love this job >> I love this job >> I love this job so much. so much. so much. >> Jimmy Ginty is a founding member of the >> Jimmy Ginty is a founding member of the >> Jimmy Ginty is a founding member of the Pipes and Drums. Like several others, Pipes and Drums. Like several others, Pipes and Drums. Like several others, Ginty is retired from the fire Ginty is retired from the fire Ginty is retired from the fire department, but not from the band.

department, but not from the band. department, but not from the band. >> It It's It's something that we have to >> It It's It's something that we have to >> It It's It's something that we have to do and we want to do. do and we want to do. do and we want to do. Because of the great loss Because of the great loss Because of the great loss and and the brotherhood in the job. >> Brian Grogan has spent 20 years with the >> Brian Grogan has spent 20 years with the department, 16 as a bagpiper. department, 16 as a bagpiper. department, 16 as a bagpiper. >> Before September 11th, you played >> Before September 11th, you played >> Before September 11th, you played funerals, you played memorial services, funerals, you played memorial services, funerals, you played memorial services, but thanks to God, there weren't that but thanks to God, there weren't that but thanks to God, there weren't that many. After September 11th, it's been many. After September 11th, it's been many. After September 11th, it's been constant. What's that like? constant. What's that like? constant. What's that like? >> Reminds me of that movie Groundhog Day, >> Reminds me of that movie Groundhog Day, >> Reminds me of that movie Groundhog Day, when every day >> Has there been a morning where you just >> Has there been a morning where you just said to yourself I want to do this, but said to yourself I want to do this, but said to yourself I want to do this, but I just can't do it on I can't do it I just can't do it on I can't do it I just can't do it on I can't do it today. today. today. >> Every morning. >> Every morning. >> Every morning. Every morning I say it, but I get up and Every morning I say it, but I get up and Every morning I say it, but I get up and I go.

>> Tim Grant is leader of the band. >> Tim Grant is leader of the band. >> A lot of people, they lose a family >> A lot of people, they lose a family >> A lot of people, they lose a family member or they lose a friend. Maybe a member or they lose a friend. Maybe a member or they lose a friend. Maybe a Maybe it might have been a a young Maybe it might have been a a young Maybe it might have been a a young person, an old person, grand- person, an old person, grand- person, an old person, grand- grandfather or something like that. It's grandfather or something like that. It's grandfather or something like that. It's usually one one person, one at a time. usually one one person, one at a time. usually one one person, one at a time. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Everybody here knows >> Everybody here knows >> Everybody here knows 20, 30 people. When do you ever in your 20, 30 people. When do you ever in your 20, 30 people. When do you ever in your life lose that many people in one day life lose that many people in one day life lose that many people in one day that you know? that you know? that you know? >> It is routine to have 10 services a day. >> It is routine to have 10 services a day. >> It is routine to have 10 services a day. One Saturday, there were 21. One Saturday, there were 21. One Saturday, there were 21. The band often is spread so thin that The band often is spread so thin that The band often is spread so thin that only a few players can show up at each only a few players can show up at each only a few players can show up at each service. service. service. Tom McAndrew remembers doing four in one Tom McAndrew remembers doing four in one Tom McAndrew remembers doing four in one day. day. day. >> We started 10:00 in the morning. We did >> We started 10:00 in the morning. We did >> We started 10:00 in the morning. We did a 10:00 and 1:00, a 4:00, and 7:00 at a 10:00 and 1:00, a 4:00, and 7:00 at a 10:00 and 1:00, a 4:00, and 7:00 at night. night. night. >> Many days the men traveled hundreds of >> Many days the men traveled hundreds of >> Many days the men traveled hundreds of miles driving from church to church to miles driving from church to church to miles driving from church to church to places like the Bronx where Shawn Tallon places like the Bronx where Shawn Tallon places like the Bronx where Shawn Tallon was mourned. Tallon was a trainee, 2 was mourned. Tallon was a trainee, 2 was mourned. Tallon was a trainee, 2 weeks short of his 27th birthday, weeks short of his 27th birthday, weeks short of his 27th birthday, single, a former US Marine.

>> [music] >> [music] >> But more often the pipers and drummers >> But more often the pipers and drummers >> But more often the pipers and drummers find themselves playing miles from the find themselves playing miles from the find themselves playing miles from the city in the suburbs where most firemen city in the suburbs where most firemen city in the suburbs where most firemen and their families now live. On this day it was Battalion Chief On this day it was Battalion Chief Joseph Marchbanks' turn to be Joseph Marchbanks' turn to be Joseph Marchbanks' turn to be memorialized. He had served 22 years and memorialized. He had served 22 years and memorialized. He had served 22 years and left behind a 14-year-old daughter left behind a 14-year-old daughter left behind a 14-year-old daughter Lauren, an 8-year-old son Ryan, and his Lauren, an 8-year-old son Ryan, and his Lauren, an 8-year-old son Ryan, and his wife Teresa. >> Any of us who've been through >> Any of us who've been through a memorial service or a funeral a memorial service or a funeral a memorial service or a funeral for a loved one, particularly someone as for a loved one, particularly someone as for a loved one, particularly someone as close as a husband, close as a husband, close as a husband, >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> there are times >> there are times >> there are times where you don't even hear what's where you don't even hear what's where you don't even hear what's happening around you. happening around you. happening around you. >> Yeah, you're right. >> Yeah, you're right. >> Yeah, you're right. >> Uh did that happen today when the >> Uh did that happen today when the >> Uh did that happen today when the bagpipes were playing? bagpipes were playing? bagpipes were playing? >> No, not at all. When they when they >> No, not at all. When they when they >> No, not at all. When they when they folded the flag, they had the honor folded the flag, they had the honor folded the flag, they had the honor guards doing that, it was uh and they guards doing that, it was uh and they guards doing that, it was uh and they played, but I heard everything.

>> What Teresa Marchbanks heard best and >> What Teresa Marchbanks heard best and loved most was the final farewell. loved most was the final farewell. loved most was the final farewell. They always line up in the same They always line up in the same They always line up in the same formation and these days play the same formation and these days play the same formation and these days play the same song. >> I could have rode like that for a couple >> I could have rode like that for a couple miles. miles. miles. Cuz I didn't want it to end. Cuz I didn't want it to end. Cuz I didn't want it to end. Yeah, I didn't want it to end. >> The beginning of modern bagpiping is as >> The beginning of modern bagpiping is as old as the hills, the hills of Scotland old as the hills, the hills of Scotland old as the hills, the hills of Scotland and of Ireland. and of Ireland. and of Ireland. Centuries ago, it was a call to battle Centuries ago, it was a call to battle Centuries ago, it was a call to battle urging the brave to fight on. urging the brave to fight on. urging the brave to fight on. That piercing cry would echo from glen That piercing cry would echo from glen That piercing cry would echo from glen to glen. to glen. to glen. The blasts of bagpipes may seem more fit The blasts of bagpipes may seem more fit The blasts of bagpipes may seem more fit for marching than mourning, for marching than mourning, for marching than mourning, but their power is unmistakable. but their power is unmistakable. but their power is unmistakable. >> [music] >> No one understands that better than >> No one understands that better than Dennis Smith.

Dennis Smith. Dennis Smith. He wrote the best-selling book about New He wrote the best-selling book about New He wrote the best-selling book about New York City firemen, Report from Engine York City firemen, Report from Engine York City firemen, Report from Engine Company 82. Smith himself was a fireman Company 82. Smith himself was a fireman Company 82. Smith himself was a fireman and a member of the band. and a member of the band. and a member of the band. >> Bagpipe music is not in and of itself >> Bagpipe music is not in and of itself >> Bagpipe music is not in and of itself soothing. soothing. soothing. There is a kind of There is a kind of There is a kind of mystical magic to it. mystical magic to it. mystical magic to it. >> It's a very simple instrument in terms >> It's a very simple instrument in terms >> It's a very simple instrument in terms of it what it does. It inspires. of it what it does. It inspires. of it what it does. It inspires. It generates extraordinary enthusiasm It generates extraordinary enthusiasm It generates extraordinary enthusiasm for the moment. for the moment. for the moment. Um it it it because of it the wailing Um it it it because of it the wailing Um it it it because of it the wailing nature of it it it it is able to move nature of it it it it is able to move nature of it it it it is able to move you to tears you to tears you to tears in in a in a funeral environment uh in in a in a funeral environment uh in in a in a funeral environment uh in a second. I mean, to hear the in a second. I mean, to hear the in a second. I mean, to hear the bagpipers play Amazing Grace bagpipers play Amazing Grace bagpipers play Amazing Grace and to look [music] at these young women and to look [music] at these young women and to look [music] at these young women with these little children at their with these little children at their with these little children at their knees knees knees uh to see that is is uh to see that is is uh is very very moving. >> Amazing Grace is always played when the >> Amazing Grace is always played when the casket and family are entering the casket and family are entering the casket and family are entering the church.

For pipers, this is a heartbreaking For pipers, this is a heartbreaking moment. moment. moment. >> We're always right in front of the >> We're always right in front of the >> We're always right in front of the church. They're coming out of church. They're coming out of church. They're coming out of limousines. You see the wife, you see limousines. You see the wife, you see limousines. You see the wife, you see the children. And finally, they seem to the children. And finally, they seem to the children. And finally, they seem to always have a lot of children. always have a lot of children. always have a lot of children. And uh everybody's like lost and hurt And uh everybody's like lost and hurt And uh everybody's like lost and hurt and you're standing right there. and you're standing right there. and you're standing right there. >> You can't You can't look at the >> You can't You can't look at the >> You can't You can't look at the children. Even the wife, you got to look children. Even the wife, you got to look children. Even the wife, you got to look away. Cuz otherwise it'll tear you away. Cuz otherwise it'll tear you away. Cuz otherwise it'll tear you apart. apart. apart. Really tear you apart. >> You never get that You never [music] >> You never get that You never [music] walk away from it. It's still a twist in walk away from it. It's still a twist in walk away from it. It's still a twist in the stomach and the stomach and the stomach and choke in the throat and a tear in your choke in the throat and a tear in your choke in the throat and a tear in your eye, no matter what. You think you would eye, no matter what. You think you would eye, no matter what. You think you would get hard to it, but you don't. get hard to it, but you don't. get hard to it, but you don't. >> But no matter how hard it is to play in >> But no matter how hard it is to play in >> But no matter how hard it is to play in front of the church, there is one period front of the church, there is one period front of the church, there is one period even tougher. even tougher. even tougher. And it's the one thing they try to And it's the one thing they try to And it's the one thing they try to avoid. avoid. avoid. It's what Bill Duffy talked about while It's what Bill Duffy talked about while It's what Bill Duffy talked about while waiting for a service to end. waiting for a service to end. waiting for a service to end. >> You'll notice a lot of guys in the band >> You'll notice a lot of guys in the band >> You'll notice a lot of guys in the band aren't going into the churches. aren't going into the churches. aren't going into the churches. Uh I only go in if I really knew the Uh I only go in if I really knew the Uh I only go in if I really knew the guy. Um guy. Um guy. Um because because because it's just too much. It's It's just too it's just too much. It's It's just too it's just too much. It's It's just too much emotionally to bear to do that.

>> But several days later, every single >> But several days later, every single member of the band came prepared to do member of the band came prepared to do member of the band came prepared to do just that. just that. just that. For their beloved drummer, For their beloved drummer, For their beloved drummer, their only member to die at the World their only member to die at the World their only member to die at the World Trade Center, Trade Center, Trade Center, Derrell Pearsall was 30 years old. Derrell Pearsall was 30 years old. Derrell Pearsall was 30 years old. Everyone called him Bronco. Everyone called him Bronco. Everyone called him Bronco. He left no parents, no wife, no He left no parents, no wife, no He left no parents, no wife, no children. children. children. The band was his family. And they The band was his family. And they The band was his family. And they gathered, as they say, to pipe him to gathered, as they say, to pipe him to gathered, as they say, to pipe him to heaven. heaven. heaven. Usually, one lone piper plays Amazing Usually, one lone piper plays Amazing Usually, one lone piper plays Amazing Grace. Grace. Grace. Not today. Not today. Not today. For Bronco, For Bronco, For Bronco, there was a symphony. >> And when the playing stopped, they all >> And when the playing stopped, they all carried their instruments and their love carried their instruments and their love carried their instruments and their love through the church doors.

But this is not the end of the story. But this is not the end of the story. Life for the band, as for the rest of Life for the band, as for the rest of Life for the band, as for the rest of us, is slowly returning to normal. With us, is slowly returning to normal. With us, is slowly returning to normal. With every week, there are fewer funerals every week, there are fewer funerals every week, there are fewer funerals now, fewer endings, and more beginnings. now, fewer endings, and more beginnings. now, fewer endings, and more beginnings. Only 2 weeks ago, Brian Grogan got a Only 2 weeks ago, Brian Grogan got a Only 2 weeks ago, Brian Grogan got a taste of that himself. taste of that himself. taste of that himself. You may remember Grogan [music] felt You may remember Grogan [music] felt You may remember Grogan [music] felt like he was living in the movie like he was living in the movie like he was living in the movie Groundhog Day with funeral after funeral Groundhog Day with funeral after funeral Groundhog Day with funeral after funeral after funeral. But not this night. It after funeral. But not this night. It after funeral. But not this night. It was his daughter's wedding, and the men was his daughter's wedding, and the men was his daughter's wedding, and the men from the Emerald Society were there, from the Emerald Society were there, from the Emerald Society were there, playing a different tune, making at last playing a different tune, making at last playing a different tune, making at last a joyful noise. This was one day Grogan hoped would This was one day Grogan hoped would never end. never end. never end. >> You know, it sets aside what what I've >> You know, it sets aside what what I've >> You know, it sets aside what what I've been through and what the rest of the been through and what the rest of the been through and what the rest of the fire department has been through and the fire department has been through and the fire department has been through and the rest of the world has been through. rest of the world has been through. rest of the world has been through. This is the greatest feeling in the This is the greatest feeling in the This is the greatest feeling in the world. world. world. >> [cheering]