Airman plays the bagpipes in honor of fallen comrades

Published Oct. 8, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- During the two World Wars, many bagpipers were trained for military service, often playing for formal ceremonies. While the number of bagpipers in the military has declined, they still remain a long standing tradition at military ceremonies. One Airman here continues that tradition by playing his bagpipes in honor of fallen comrades in Afghanistan.

Tech. Sgt. Iain Morrison, assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, began playing the bagpipes at the age of 7 while living in Scotland.

"I joined a band at 7 years old and tried to learn for a couple of years but I was too small, too immature and too much of a little boy," Morrison explained. "I was more interested in running around and playing than sitting home and practicing."

After two years in the band Morrison quit and didn't pick up the instrument again until 10 years ago. Since then, he has continued to play, often performing in formal ceremonies and as a member of a band. This is the third time he has deployed and brought along his pipes. At each deployed location Morrison notified the chaplains that he was available for services if they needed him. The chaplains at Bagram passed the word onto the Combined Joint Task Force - 101 Band.

In late May the band contacted Morrison and asked for his help. They were planning on being out of town and wanted to know if Morrison would be willing to perform, ensuring there would be music should there be a fallen comrade ceremony. Due to some miscommunication, Morrison showed up for a ceremony along with the band. They got permission for Morrison to play along with the band.

"And ever since then I've been out there," said Morrison. In the four months since his first participation in a fallen comrade ceremony, he has been a part of more than 40 ceremonies, honoring approximately 70 fallen heroes.

"I'm not keeping an accurate record, mainly because I don't want to know," said Morrison. "It's difficult. You put up some sort of a mental block to it, but still there is a very deep realization that what I am doing is the last thing the family is going to see of Bagram."

For each fallen comrade ceremony, Morrison plays a set of traditional Scottish tunes, always ending with "Amazing Grace."

"I've had several people comment on how much it has added to the ceremony - the chaplains, our leadership," said Morrison. "It's definitely been noted by several people all the way through the top end of the (Combined Joint Task Force - 101)."

As much as it is an honor to be able to play for each fallen comrade, said Morrison, it can take an emotional toll. After one particular ceremony for nine fallen Soldiers, Morrison said he spent most of the day in the chaplain's office blowing off steam.

Back home, Morrison has played for a number of funeral services and ceremonies, but said it doesn't compare to the ceremonies he performs at here.

"That's a different scale I guess. I live in a Panama City which is largely a retirement community; most the time the people are 70, 80 plus years old and have lived their life," he said. "But when we are doing this here, they are 18 to whatever years old. Sometimes they are kids just out of high school.

"While I would be happy to never have to play at another fallen comrade ceremony, I will continue to due it as needed," Morrison added. "As a piper it is my duty."