The concept of a national bagpipe memorial service actually originated with Michael MITCHELL (Police Pipes and Drums of Florida) and James T. McBRIDE (Drum Major of the Greater Cleveland Police Safety Forces Pipes and Drums and Emerald Society President). Mitchell and McBride sought support from Lt. Patrick O’BRIEN, President of the National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies, Inc., and Craig FLOYD, Executive Director of the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Foundation. As a result of their combined efforts, the first national police pipe band memorial march and service was held on May 14, 1995 in Washington, DC. Current NCLEES Treasurer and Nassau County police officer Lou WALKER became the NCLEES Memorial March and Service coordinator in 1997. Lou Walker established a standing NCLEES Pipe Band Committee and Honor Guard Committee to provide musical leadership and protocol guidance to participating groups and individuals. Jim McBRIDE served as National Pipe Band Committee Chairman until 2002 when Don GILMARTIN replaced him. NCLEES Activities during Police Memorial Week have been expanded to include special ceremonies honoring FOP and Secret Service personnel killed in the line of duty. In addition to the Annual March and Memorial Services, the NCLEES Pipe Band Committee (when requested) provides technical support and assistance to any police or fire agency dealing with a line-of -duty death funeral or memorial service. NOTE: The event chairman, Mike ROE, will coordinate the 2008 NCLEES Memorial March and Service. National Pipe Band Committee Chairman is Steve BUTTERBRODT of Port Authority Police Pipe & Drums

Any Emerald Society organization, Emerald Society member, public safety band or marching unit, color guard, honor guard, or related organizations, is eligible to apply for permission to participate in this event. To obtain an application form contact Mike ROE, 1100 Shadow Faire Court, Baldwin, Missouri, 63021 (Fixhitz6@hotmail.com). Applicants must be associated with or sponsored by an active Emerald Society registered with the NCLEES, Police or law enforcement agency, or a public safety organization chartered pursuant to federal, state or local law. Completed forms should be mailed, emailed or FAXED as per instructions on the application NO LATER THAN April 1, 2008.

Currently there is no fee for participating in the 2008 NCLEES memorial march and service. Donations, however, to defray the substantial costs of the event are welcome. Donations can be sent directly to the NCLEES headquarters (see the address on the web site).

The NCLEES 2008 Host Pipe Band is the Tidewater VA. Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. The 2008 Police Honor Guard is Tidewater Va. Police Honor Guard

The NCLEES Annual Conference will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 from 0930 hrs until 1600 hrs at the Holiday Inn on the Hill at 415 New Jersey Avenue NW. Washington DC

All personnel who intend to march are asked to report (in appropriate uniform and ready to march) at 1630 hrs on Sunday May 14th at New Jersey Av and F St NW (official staging area). Each Pipe Band group must have at least ten (10) participants to march as a unit (less will be place with a pipe band unit) The head (or “boss”) of each marching unit must report directly to Mike Newton, the NCLEES Event  Coordinator (EC) or Assistant Event Coordinator (AEC) for marching instructions (Order of March). The official NCLEES “Order of March” can be found on the NCLEES web page prior to this event. The EC and all AEC’s will be wearing NCLEES ID tags have copies of the Order of March. When the leader of each marching unit checks in with the EC or and Assistant EC, he or she will be issued an NCLEES 2008 Honor Ribbon to display with their Unit Colors and/or Guide-On. Only one honor ribbon will be issued to each marching unit. There is also a special honor ribbon for the host pipe band and the host honor guard each year. All participants are asked to cooperate with the starters so that the event might run as smoothly as possible. The EC reserves the right to assign smaller groups and individuals to larger marching units. The Memorial March will step off promptly at 1800 hrs.

The NCLEES Pipe Band Committee suggests that all pipe bands play appropriate Irish tunes while marching to the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial (NLEOM). Each pipe band is asked to play a final short musical “set” as they turn at the last corner onto E Street and approach the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial. Bands are asked to enter the NLEOM grounds silently (on the rims). After entering the site, Drum majors and Pipe Majors must follow the directions of NCLEES Senior Honor Guard Dave ELMENDORF and his assistants and move quickly into their designated place of honor. Once each band is “parked” at its designated spot, it should be brought to a “rest” position until all units are assembled and await further instructions.

Upon completion of the NCLEES Memorial Service the Drum Major of the Day will instruct all marching units on when to “Fall out”.

On Thursday May 15, 2008 the NCLEES Host Pipe Band will perform from 1100-1200 hrs on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Bands are asked to report to NCLEES Event Coordinator Brian MANION (202-962-5701) at 3rd Av and Constitution at 1000 hrs in uniform and prepared to warm up prior to the event. Later in the day the Host Pipe Band will meet the Survivors from 2007 at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial to support the annual wreath-laying ceremony.

At approximately 1530 hrs on Thursday May 15, 2008, the NCLEES Host Pipe Band will provide musical support for a wreath laying ceremony, conducted by the National FOP and C.O.P.S., at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The NCLEES Event Coordinator for this activity is Brian MANION (gardavp@aol.com).

Steve BUTTERBRODT Port Authority Police Pipes and Drums will coordinate the traditional “Midnight Piper” service at the National Law Enforcement Memorial throughout the event.

If your organization is interested in serving as the NCLEES Host Pipe Band or Host Honor/Color Guard for 2009 please send a written application on the organization’s official letterhead stationery to Lou Walker / NCLEES P.O. Box 486 Amityville NY 11701 Lwalker960@optonline.net or Mike Roe Fixhitz6@hotmail.com

Requests for Emerald Society pipers and drummers at all other activities during National Police Week in the Washington D.C. area from any source should be directed to Steve BUTTERBRODT or Brian MANION

Official Disclaimer

The NCLEES reserves the right to grant or deny permission to any individual, unit or organization to participate in this private memorial march and service, and preference will be given to individuals, units and organizations of Gaelic descent. NCLEES officials must approve all unit and organizational banners and flags. Political banners, flags or signs are prohibited. Permission to use the name of the organization and its logo must be obtained from the NCLEES Executive Board. ALL participating units must be registered PRIOR to the March and service. Each participating unit will be presented with a Green and Gold NCLEES 2008 Honor Ribbon to commemorate their participation in the 2008 event.