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In traditional Celtic cultures, including the Irish and Scottish, bagpipes were an important part of a traditional funeral. After the Great Potato Famine Irish immigrants came to the United States in huge numbers. Due primarily to racism, Irish people were allowed only the most dangerous and difficult jobs, including the jobs of firefighter and police officer. Work-related deaths for firemen and cops were common and the Irish community would hold a traditional Irish funeral, including the mournful bagpipes. Over the years, this tradition spread to firefighters and police officers who were not of Irish descent. Scottish highland bagpipes are used almost exclusively because they are significantly louder than the traditional Irish pipes. Fire and police departments in most major cities have a special brigade, usually as a division of an Irish fraternal group called The Emerald Society, who learn to play bagpipes and drums for the very purpose of honoring their fallen comrades. In some places, civilians may be members of the pipe and drum band, but generally, the members are active or retired firefighters and police officers. The demand for pipers during the hundreds of 9-11 funerals was so great that high school and civilian pipe bands, as well as Emerald Societies from as far away as Chicago, had to be drafted into service.
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