Topic: Dealing with being home from Kandahar

[Spooks]

I may not know combat but I will relate to the feeling that you have no closure and maybe it is also with you, but your life is seemingly on pause while you recover. How it may be a little bubble inside the hospital while the world continues on its way. How no mater how many people ask you how you are doing, you always answer the same way despite what you may feel. How people you don't even know may visit, but the only connection you have with them is the fact they wear the same uniform as you do/did.

Hang in there, because no matter how slow life may be once you are consciously awake, it is going nonetheless. It has been 9 months and 11 days since I had to return home before I was supposed to 'punch out'. It has been long and stupid at times, but I think it has taught me to be a better person. I myself, want to go back much to the disdain of those around me. -I- want to go back, because -I- want to finish the job that I started.

Now you get to help the wounded soldiers coming back, the grieving familtes of those who are lost, and pay tribute to those who have passed.

[maverick_brent]

Piper,
I personally cannot say i understand what your going through. I wont high jack such an inspiring and emotional thread, I hope to someday I know the bond that is forged, not through training, or spending time with troops, but to see each other facing death, facing peril, but knowing in your hearts it is what needs to be done, after re-enlisting to the reserves, im hoping to be going on the next task force.(Ro31)...Alot of guys ask.."why, would you want to go overseas, into the fighting, into all that crap"...i tell them.."cause its something that has to be done, somebodys gotta do the job.." i realize now, its not because the job has to be done, or even the fact that i can do the job and want to, its because of men like yourself, and the men before you, and the men after...you are the reason why i decided to join the military, your the reason i proudly wear a poppy, your the reason why i always notice a persons Canadian flag not flying half mast remembering the fallen. Thank you...all of you, for the inspiration, the dedication, loyalty, and perserverence in something taht many have no sight, or lost sight of. I hope someday i can pay my debt to you and this society for alywas losing sight of what you have given myself, and my children to come, i hope someday i can honor your service in a way that we both understand and respect. Get well soon soldier.

"Semper Fi"

maverick_brent

[englishmuffin]

RHFC_piper,
My thoughts echo much of what has been posted. As piper, I am intrigued as to what tunes you played in the Panjwai valley and how they were chosen. I apologise if this has already been gone over however I don't have the time presently to go through 6 pages of posts.

[Kirkhill]

RHFC_piper,
My thoughts echo much of what has been posted. As piper, I am intrigued as to what tunes you played in the Panjwai valley and how they were chosen. I apologise if this has already been gone over however I don't have the time presently to go through 6 pages of posts.

There you go Pipey.  You've joined ranks with Piper Findlater. 

[George Wallace [4]]

RHFC_piper,
My thoughts echo much of what has been posted. As piper, I am intrigued as to what tunes you played in the Panjwai valley and how they were chosen. I apologise if this has already been gone over however I don't have the time presently to go through 6 pages of posts.

englishmuffin

Try this Link: Piper's lament at ramp ceremonies - what's it called?

[redleafjumper]

Something I am interested in regarding the piping over there is what challenges were there for pipe maintenance?  What sort of drone reeds were you using - cane or tupperware?  What did you have to do to keep them going given the temperature and insect conditions?  I am sure this will only be a brief hijack of the thread!

Cheers,

[RHFC_piper [3]]

RHFC_piper,
My thoughts echo much of what has been posted. As piper, I am intrigued as to what tunes you played in the Panjwai valley and how they were chosen. I apologise if this has already been gone over however I don't have the time presently to go through 6 pages of posts.

I played Black Bear at the request of WO Mellish, then played that into Scotland the Brave, Wings then Flett from Flotta.
Then I just played around a bit; Caber Feidh, Patty's Leather breaches, Seann Triubhas + Highland laddie, probably a bunch of other tunes the boys requesed... I played for about an hour at sunset the night before, ending with Mull of Kintyre (one of my favs)

I can't remember what I played the next day.

Something I am interested in regarding the piping over there is what challenges were there for pipe maintenance?  What sort of drone reeds were you using - cane or tupperware?  What did you have to do to keep them going given the temperature and insect conditions?  I am sure this will only be a brief hijack of the thread!

Cheers,

Well... I only pulled out my pipes once while I was there, and that was in Panjwayi... They stayed in the HQ G-Wagon, in a backpack I borrowed from my section 3IC, until then.

I was playing a set of old Gibsons (Drones and socks), Ross Zippered Gortex Bag with Canister, Mccallum chanter, MacGerity Ross Chanter Reeds (bought them just before they stopped making them), Eze-drone 'tupperware' drone reeds, and Ash Plugs (drone valves).

I even had an Arid Cadpat Bag Cover and Pipe ribbons made by a guy in Petawawa, who I'm going to have make a bunch of TW Cadpat bag covers.

Maintaining them wasn't hard, I brought My pipe kit over with me.  All you have to do is add a little more hemp to each connection, 'cause its a dryer climate, and if you have a canister bag, take some of the 'kitty litter' out of the canister for the same reason... you won't be blowing that much moisture into the bag, and you'll want to allow what little moisture there is to get through so your chanter reed doesn't dry out too much.

I thought playing there would have been harded due to elevation and such, but I actually had an easier time keeping air in the bag and drones playing stedy even after playing for an hour.  That might be due to the elevation and the dryness.

Anyway, if Hijacking this thread is an issue, I'm sure all this can be moved to another thread...

[paracowboy]

Anyway, if Hijacking this thread is an issue, I'm sure all this can be moved to another thread...

way I see it, it's your thread.

[Colin P]

You have good taste: Mull of Kintyre is one my favorites also 

[redleafjumper]

Thanks, that's great information.  I wondered if a Gortex bag might work better in that sort of climate when compared to hide and Hardies' Bag Seasoning!
If you follow through on the Cadpat bag covers, etc., please pm me about them.  In dry climates I tend to store my chanter reeds with some slow release moisture to keep them supple without having to resort to the destructive enzymes from licking them. I take it your McCallum chanter was a plastic one for the difficult conditions; they do have surprisingly good tone.

Anyway, thanks and good luck in your recovery.

Cheers

[RHFC_piper [3]]

Thanks, that's great information.  I wondered if a Gortex bag might work better in that sort of climate when compared to hide and Hardies' Bag Seasoning!

I haven't played a hide bag in years (that sounds really bad). Our band has had gortex for quite a while now. they're easier to maintain and you can't really use a canister with a hide bag (I haven't seen a hide bag with a zipper)

And in an Arid environment, Hide with seasoning plus sand equals bad.  I can only imagine what kind of mess that would make.

If you follow through on the Cadpat bag covers, etc., please pm me about them.

I'm going to try to get in contact with the guy who's making them for me, and I'll get a price and put in an order.... I'll PM you (and anyone else who's interested) when I get the details.

In dry climates I tend to store my chanter reeds with some slow release moisture to keep them supple without having to resort to the destructive enzymes from licking them.

Sounds like a good idea, I had about 3 spares in my pipe kit and figured they'd do me for the tour.

I take it your McCallum chanter was a plastic one for the difficult conditions; they do have surprisingly good tone.

Yeah.  We've been playing plastic for a few years now.  It makes it easier to maintain tone within the bend when everyone is playing the same thing... especially plastic, less variance between chanters.  The McCallums are great for band tone... but I'd still rather play wood for solo tone.

[Technoviking [2]]

I haven't played a hide bag in years (that sounds really bad). 

Good thing this is YOUR thread, or else we'd pummel you for that one

(j/k)

Cheers!


von G

[mom of two soldiers]

MY dear Piper

I have never written a post before -I have just read  your story and it tears my heart apart, brings tears to my eyes and yet I feel a healing. We have ofthen wonderedhow the wounded in this incident were doing and have wanted to let them know they were in our thoughts and prayers too. In the 2 months since your experience I have learned what a military family really means - I have witnessed the love, the caring, the support that is given to one of their own. Unfortunately I have discovered that from losing my son - your comrade in arms  and friend  - Mark.  We are beginning the healing process as you are - but the scars never will go away. I understand how frightened your family must be for you to return - I have another son who will make that tough decision too. But you have done your job - your job now is too heal physically and emotionally, to share your experiences and to advocate for good care for those  who will return - maybe notwith physcial injuries but with emotional scars. As parents and Canadians we did not think our precious loved  ones would be experiencing what 8 Platoon did. ps did you know Mellish and Graham were distant cousins? if we ever meet I will tell the tale

Hugs and kisses from Mom

[Good2Golf]

MY dear Piper

I have never written a post before -I have just read  your story and it tears my heart apart, brings tears to my eyes and yet I feel a healing. We have ofthen wonderedhow the wounded in this incident were doing and have wanted to let them know they were in our thoughts and prayers too. In the 2 months since your experience I have learned what a military family really means - I have witnessed the love, the caring, the support that is given to one of their own. Unfortunately I have discovered that from losing my son - your comrade in arms  and friend  - Mark.  We are beginning the healing process as you are - but the scars never will go away. I understand how frightened your family must be for you to return - I have another son who will make that tough decision too. But you have done your job - your job now is too heal physically and emotionally, to share your experiences and to advocate for good care for those  who will return - maybe notwith physcial injuries but with emotional scars. As parents and Canadians we did not think our precious loved  ones would be experiencing what 8 Platoon did. ps did you know Mellish and Graham were distant cousins? if we ever meet I will tell the tale

Hugs and kisses from Mom

Thank you for the service your sons provided to our country.  Thank you for raising fine men of character.  Please accept my thoughts and prayers for you, Mark's spirit, your son and for your entire family.  As Piper has made clear, the brothership of arms is a tight one...one that it is clear, Mark most certainly belonged to.

 

G2G

[Infantry_]

I was a Honour Guard for Mark's Funeral, even know i didn't know him, hearing the stories in Hamilton, made me realize he was a good man and a good soldier