This story is a part of Branch 25’s on-going National Legion Week campaign.
As the piper for Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 (San Francisco), I have always had a keen interest in the history of Legion piping and pipe bands in the San Francisco Bay Area. Where once there were several full Royal Canadian Legion pipe bands in the San Francisco Bay region and Sacramento, the last branch associated band in the region was in San Jose and disbanded in the early 1990s. The Black Raven Pipe Band of San Francisco was officially the band of the Royal British Legion, San Francisco Post 1 but also performed as the band of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25.
These pipe bands, dating from the very inception of the Royal Canadian Legion in California in the mid-1930’s, laid the groundwork and training for many regional pipers and pipe bands for decades to come.
I have been the piper for Branch 25 (San Francisco) since I joined in the early 1980’s. Then, I performed for most of the meeting openings and many events throughout the year.
I also piped as part of the Branch’s Honor Guard which was quite active in parades and ceremonies to the late 1980’s.
My current duties remain roughly the same though the need to open our meetings has passed with the advent of online meetings. Playing for Memorial and Remembrance Day ceremonies, member funerals, and the occasional veteran’s parade or ceremony are my bread and butter.
I also am privileged to oversee the awarding of a special commemorative trophy at the Redding Bagpipe Competition in memory of Past Branch President, and piper, Fred Rutledge. The “Piper of the Day” award is given to the piper at the competition who is determined by the event’s piping judges to have demonstrated an outstanding effort over the two-day event.
It is very meaningful to me to be able to present this award on behalf of the Branch and to keep Past President Rutledge’s name alive.
Outside the Legion activities, I am the Pipe Major for the Pipes & Drums of CAL Fire Local 2881. This pipe band represents the members of California’s fire and emergency response agency.
With duties throughout a huge state like California, my 20 years as Pipe Major, and 30 years as a piper with the Local 2881 Honor Guard has brought me to events all around the US and too many Line of Duty funerals for the fallen of CAL FIRE and other CA fire and law enforcement departments. It is always an extreme honor to pipe for the families of our fallen in their times of need. On the international stage, I’ve been privileged the last two years to perform with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes & Drums.
This civilian band of around 85 members, performs each year as part of the Tattoo’s massed Pipes & Drums and performs throughout the 90-minute Tattoo production. Composed of musicians from around the world who audition to participate, it is truly a great band and experience to be part of.
My association as a piper with San Francisco Branch 25 for over 40 years has provided me with many happy and meaningful memories. I’m always proud to perform at branch and veteran events and I plan on keep on adding to those memories for years to come.
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Charlie Martin, Branch 25 Piper
Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25 