For many years, Wantagh American Legion Post #1273 talked of forming some sort of band to lead its members as they marched in parades. In the summer of 1992 Legionnaire Steve Ruggles offered to finally act where others had only talked. Steve spread the word that the Post would be forming a pipe and drum band, and needed volunteers to fill its ranks. He then located a young bagpipe instructor, Jim Ryan, to teach the band’s recruits how to play the pipes. In October of 1992, an initial group of eighteen potential students began their chanter instruction. This group soon evolved into a core of six intrepid students who dedicated themselves to learning how to play the pipes. This small group soon expanded as new students joined and in May of 1993 the transition from chanters to bagpipes began.
The band decided that it wanted to debut in Wantagh’s Memorial Day parade in 1994. The successful completion of four prerequisite goals was required for their target debut date to be realized. First, the novice pipers would have to invest a great deal of their time in the mastery of their new instruments. Second, a drum core would have to be formed and trained. Third, uniforms would have to be decided upon and purchased. Additionally, funds would have to be raised to pay for the band’s new uniforms.
|