Very OT, quite sad.

[Doc B.]

This was my neighbor, one of the nicest neighbors I have ever had. He will be missed.

http://komonews.com/news/local/bremerton-firefighters-death-considered-in-line-of-duty

[Paul Birkeland]

This is indeed very sad, the woods around your house are going to be a bit quieter than normal this spring.

[Doc B.]

Yeah. When Jimmy started playing maybe 15 years ago, he came over and asked if his bagpipe practice was bothering us, as he practiced in his open garage. Like any noob he was pretty terrible at first, but of course we said we loved it! In later years he became very good and we really did love hearing the sound of pipes coming from the woods.

[Natural Sound]

The pipes tend to move something inside of me. I can't explain it but it's something hard wired. Primal if you will. I've attended way too many firefighter and police funerals in the past. I've also spent time in Scotland and Ireland. When the piper start to play I turn into a pile of goo. Nothing else affects me that way.

RIP Jimmy. I didn't know you but you sound like a real nice guy. Thank you for your service to the community.

[SteveH]

I went to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo when I was 7 years old (48 years ago).  I still recall blubbering away when the lone piper played up on the ramparts of the castle to close out the show.  I'm sure that my Scottish heritage helps, but I've always loved the pipes.

Sorry to hear about your neighbour...

SteveH