Memorial Day keeps the pipers at play

There are few sadder sounds in this world than bagpipes at a memorial service. After last month's police officer funeral and then yesterday's Memorial Day services, I've had my fill of bagpipes for awhile. Not that the bagpipe is a grating instrument — that sound is wonderful — it's just that they're devastatingly sad. I remember hearing stories from New Yorkers after 9/11, how the city seemed to echo bagpipes for months during the hundreds of police and firefighter funerals. 

At yesterday's Memorial Day service in Palo Verde, I showed up a little early to hopefully photograph some of the preparation that goes on before the service starts. Not much was happening, except a bagpiper, Buckeye firefighter Mike Malcolm, was practicing in a clump of shade off to one side of the cemetery. I stood fairly far away and snapped some shots as he paced between two trees. I especially liked the large farm equipment in the background, how it framed Malcolm as he rehearsed "Amazing Grace" as visitors slowly began to arrive.

Stay tuned for more Memorial Day shots. I'll post more tomorrow.