Editor:
It is good that the City of Vancouver had second thoughts and overturned this silly bylaw that would have banned bagpipers from busking on their city streets.
In the meantime, we veterans in White Rock will just go on lovin’ them pipes – enjoying the memories of years gone by.
So, some Vancouverites object to the noise of the pipes! They must be on the “other side.”
For as far as I can remember – I am 86 – most people are fascinated by the magic of the pipes; it was said they brought “a lump in your throat” and “a tear to the eye.” Such was the emotion attached to this unique musical instrument.
As the Canadian Army made their way up through Italy, led by pipers, no one complained of the noise.
As the Canadian Army made its way through Holland, led by pipers, no one complained of the noise.
As the Canadian Army, and half a million Allied forces, landed on the French shores on D-Day, led by pipers, no one complained of the noise.
As the Canadian Army, in that fight of all fights, took Vimy Ridge – led by the pipers – no one complained of the noise.
And so it goes further back in time. The pipes are the sound of heroes in action.
To be honest, not everyone liked the sound of the pipes; the guys on the other side called them “ladies from hell.”
Play on Simon Fraser University. You do us proud!
George D. McAbney, Surrey
