Madison County’s Bagpipe Brigade to perform for the last time
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REXBURG — After 17 years, the Madison County Fire Department’s Bagpipe Brigade will play for the last time at Porter Park beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11.
On Friday at 7 a.m., the Madison County Fire Department held its annual memorial service to remember the events of 9/11. The flag was set to half-mast, the fire department’s bell was rung four times, but this morning was the last time Rexburg would hear the bagpipes at the memorial service.
Deputy Madison Fire Chief and the Pipe Major Troyce Miskin said in an interview, “At our peak, the pipe brigade and honor guard had over 20 people participating. Now we’re down to as far as firefighters to three or four of us.”
The Bagpipe Brigade’s final performance will take place at 6 p.m. on the west side of Porter Park, where a short performance will be conducted as a memorial to the day but also as a farewell to the community.
“I feel privileged to be able to serve … but I am also grateful to have been able to do something meaningful in our own ways as a pipe brigade,” Miskin said.
According to Miskin, the Bagpipe Brigade has played at least a thousand songs over the years and has attended many events, always playing for free.
“I have worked with great people over many years, but just the feeling of doing something this unique … I feel grateful for the opportunity,” Miskin said.
With respect to the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Miskin found it a good time to give one last performance before hanging up the bagpipes.
“The 25th anniversary of 9/11 seemed like the most appropriate time to say thank you and goodbye,” Miskin said.
While the group’s retirement marks the end of a 17-year tradition, Madison Fire Chief Corey Child reflects on the positives of what was accomplished.
“More than seeing them go, I like to reflect on what they’ve done … they’ve given it such a great, stalwart effort for years and years and years,” Child said in an interview.
While some traditions may be lost, others will continue. The fire department plans to continue setting up the 9/11 memorial at Porter Park, where the community can walk the path and learn about the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
“I hope the community will take time to walk through that and read the stories that are on the stands of the lives that were taken on that day,” Child said.