FDNY Bagpipers Celebrate 50th Anniversary

The bagpipers at the nation's largest fire department are celebrating 50 years performing at parades, events and memorial services.

Drum Major Capt. Liam Flaherty of the FDNY Emerald Society Pipes & Drums says the group has 100 members, all active-duty firefighters. The band is in high demand: It often performs in two or three places a day, and following the Sept. 11 attacks, when the 343 firefighters were killed, band members were at 24 funerals in one day.

The band is holding an event Saturday at Citi Field with alumni and current members. The festivities will include a performance with the entire band as well as dancing, drinks and speeches.

The Fire Department of New York has about 13,000 uniformed firefighters.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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