Jim McGilvery Bagpipes Philadelphia

To all my bagpiper friends, please, if you can, set aside 10:30am EDT (Philadelphia, PA) on Friday May 8th to play Amazing Grace in memory of Philadelphia Pol...ice Sergeant* James O’Connor, who was cruelly murdered in the line of duty on Friday March 13th, just as COVID-19 lockdowns began. No funeral service was possible for him at that time. (Sergeant O’Connor was posthumously promoted from Corporal). Here is the original message we all just received from a friend and fellow bagpiper: The Philadelphia Police Department announced that there will be a private funeral for Cpl O’Connor on Friday May 8th. Due to the current situation, we cannot send a full pipe band to render honors. So I’m asking that any and all bagpipers to go outside their house, or work or wherever you may be, at 10:30am (EST) on Friday May 8th and have a moment of silence followed by the playing of Amazing Grace in honor of our hero. Jimmy O’Connor deserves a full band at his funeral. But unfortunately we cannot do that for him. However, that doesn’t stop us from playing for him. Please share this to any and all bagpipers. Let’s get this out across the country and have everyone play from different locations, at the same time, across America. Drummers feel free to join in as well. Amazing Grace for Jimmy! We have plenty of time to get this out. I’ll send more info out later. First, spread the word!

Pausing on the step to remember how the next tune starts while still playing the previous...don't trip! Photo cred: Haley Richter Photography

Happy couple, beautiful wedding. Photo cred: Haley Richter Photography

Photo cred: Haley Richter Photography