OKC Cemeteries Honoring Our Fallen Heroes

‘Quiet' just wouldn't do, not when playing for the men and women honored on Memorial Day.

Monday, May 26th 2014, 5:26 pm

By: News 9


‘Quiet' just wouldn't do, not when playing for the men and women honored on Memorial Day.

"I have one volume extra loud," Robert Bruce said as he took another deep breath and raised his bagpipe to perform.

Bruce believes his music should echo their sacrifice.

"We've been coming out here and playing for all of the fallen heroes for years," said Bruce.

Bruce and 15 other pipers with The Pipes & Drums of the Highlanders roamed the Rose Hill Burial Park on Grand Boulevard for hours each day during the holiday weekend.

"They really appreciate hearing the pipes off in the distance," said Bruce.

Visitors to the cemetery greeted Bruce and the other pipers like they were old friends, "My husband has been gone 11 years now and I've been here every year," said one grateful visitor.

In a humble tone, Bruce replied, "It's an honor and a privilege to be here for you and your loved one."

His deep appreciation for those who made the ultimate sacrifice is one that comes from experience.

Bruce is a Vietnam veteran who served 24 years in the military.

"This means so much to me because these are my comrades," he said just before playing the pipes in a ceremony to formally honor those comrades.

The event featured the reading of the names of more than fifty military men and women buried at Rose Hill Burial Park.

A tribute to the colors, a wreath presentation by Boy Scouts, speeches, and a dove release rounded out the event before Bruce closed with song.

"I try to think of all of the good things and all of the happiness that I have spread through playing the pipes," said Bruce, acknowledging it was a fine- tuned recognition for some of America's finest.

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