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L/R: Army 1st SGT / TSA Manager Bruce Sweeney,
USN Veteran / LAPD SGT / Bagpiper Piper Michael (Mick) Rose,
USN MCPO / Airport Police Ofcr Thomas Dye,
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President, Los Angeles Police Emerald Society
On Friday, August 10, 2012, the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums held their first fundraiser and dinner at the Mountain Gate Country Club, Los Angeles. Over 150 people gathered to acknowledge the volunteer work of the band and to financially support their future appearances at military and peace officer line of duty funerals.
Author James Elroy spoke of events earlier in the day where Ian Campbell Square was dedicated in Hollywood. Mr. Elroy tied in Officer Ian Campbell's love of bagpiping with the selfless effort the band members undertake, driven in part to keep the memory of Ian's sacrifice alive.
Jim Cunningham reminded the audience how Ian Campbell's passing started a tradition within the LAPD of having Piper's perform in token appreciation for the sacrifice soldiers and peace officers make defending our freedom.
Cunningham elaborated on the effect the band has had on survivor's, particularly members of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) during annual memorial ceremonies at the State Capitol in Sacramento. In the audience and expressing gratitude for the emotional support the band continually shows were C.O.P.S. family members Mary and John Huffman who's son Orange County Sheriff's Sergeant Matt Davis's life was taken in 2002 and Gold Star parents Gary and Elaine Brattain who's son Private First Class Joel K. Brattain was Killed In Action in Iraq in 2004.
Through the generous support of live auction patrons, bidders were generous in their bids realizing the great work their donations support. Cigars, whiskey, fine dining, dancing, and of course a raffle made for a truly fantastic evening.
The Wicked Tinkers Band performed and were able to captivate the audience into forming a huge conga line encircling the entire dance floor!
The Police Pipe & Drum Band would like to thank Darrell Calvillo and Mike Jett for their Pipe and Drum performance, the Wicked Tinkers, Bo's Cigar Lounge, Auctioneer Jim Cunningham Esq., and Chris Uhde of JVS Wine Imports for all their hard work to make the event smashing!
