“Inspiration behind my bagpipes”

The heartfelt letter below is from one of our customers describing why she ordered a very special set of McCallum Bagpipes.  We would like to thank her for letting us share her story and the pictures.

Dear Kenny,

 I cannot thank you and Stuart enough for the great care you took in making my new set of pipes. I knew I wasn’t, but you always made me feel like your only customer. They sound every bit as beautiful as they look! Your suggestion to consider custom engraving on the larger presentation ferrule rather than on something detachable was brilliant. I’ll share with you the inspiration behind my request by way of telling you a little bit about the two young men whose names and KIA dates you affixed to the bass stock. I had never met either of them, but one had grown up in the community where my husband and I had raised our son and the other in my hometown.    

 Felix Del Greco had a strong desire to be of service to his community that was evident even as a young boy. Known as “Fee-Fee” to his friends, he was personable and gregarious, and had a great love of learning. An Eagle Scout and a loyal member of BSA Troop 76, he was a favorite cook on camp outs because of the strange but often wonderful recipes he concocted. He joined the Connecticut National Guard while still a student atSimsburyHigh Schooland began training during the summer between his junior and senior years. After graduating in 1999, he enteredNortheasternUniversity, where in recognition of his academic achievements that first year he was named the military’s Freshman Scholar of the Year. He had a goal of one day seeking the highest office in the land and no one who knew him thought it was beyond his reach.

 In early 2001, he volunteered to serve a six-month tour of duty in war-tornBosnia, earning the distinction of Soldier of the Rotation from among a multi-national force of 10,000 troops. He returned to Northeastern to continue his studies but was called up again after the fall semester. After nine months of security duty atWest Point, he came home in late 2003 and immediately volunteered for Operation Iraqi Freedom II. He was deployed to theMiddle Eastthe following January and assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry. Within days of his arrival inBaghdad, the vehicle he was riding in while on patrol struck an IED. Before backup could reach them, RPGs and small-arms fire attacked the column. On April 9, 2004, SGT Felix M. Del Greco became the first Connecticut National Guard soldier to die in Iraq.

 Steven DeLuzio was assigned to the 172nd Infantry, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team out ofJericho,Vermont. Moved by the events of September 11th, the 2003 graduate ofGlastonburyHigh Schoolhad joined the Vermont National Guard as a student atNorwichUniversity. Following months of training, he put his education on hold in January of 2006 for deployment toIraq. After his tour ended he returned home toConnecticutto finish his college degree, earned with honors from theUniversityofHartford, and begin a promising career in accounting. Once a Little League all-star himself, he helped coach his own team of Little Leaguers all the way to the Town Championship in 2009. He loved being with his fiancée, his family and friends, rooting for the Yankees and the Bruins, and making people around him laugh.

 Feeling a deep sense of responsibility for those with whom he had served, he chose to remain with them when his commitment ended and in the spring of 2010 he was deployed again, this time toAfghanistan. Within 100 miles at any given time was his older brother SGT Scott DeLuzio, who was serving with the Connecticut National Guard. On August 22, 2010, while on patrol in the mountains ofPaktikaProvincenear the border withPakistan, he and those with him were ambushed. In the opening minutes of a two-hour long firefight, SGT Steven J. DeLuzio was struck in the head and killed almost instantly. His final Facebook entry from the night before read in part, “20 days until I’m outta here…   a lot to look forward to once I get home, can’t wait.”

 Before his first deployment, SGT DeLuzio had a Crucifix inked on his shoulder and the Infantry’s creed “Follow Me” on his back. In an interview with National Public Radio shortly after his death, his parents Diane and Mark shared the story behind another of their son’s tattoos. One day while serving inIraqhis vehicle was stopped by a woman who warned him of an IED in his path. They called in the removal squad and the bomb was defused, making it possible for the soldiers to continue on their way. Returning the next day along the same route, they stopped to thank her for saving their lives but found instead the woman, her husband and children, all beheaded. The experience weighed heavily on him and so to honor her memory he had an image of her face tattooed on his arm.

 The loss of these two young men to family and friends is immeasurable, and it is for all of us as we are without the men they were becoming. SGT Del Greco and SGT DeLuzio brought out the best in those around them and they will continue to be an inspiration to others for a long time to come. I thank you both so much for the extraordinary kindness you showed while helping me find a way to honor their memory.  

 Warm regards,

 Nancy

Police Pipes & Drums ofWaterbury