THUNDER BAY – Heather MacDonald-Craig says at 47 she decided to take up bag-piping.
It was something fun to do and a great way to give back to the community.
It certainly wasn’t for the accolades.
Still, she was honoured, along with eight other members of the Thunder Bay Police Pipe Band, bestowed with the prestigious Sovereign Medal for Volunteers, given out by Canada’s governor general in recognition of dedication and commitment to the community.
The award was unexpected, but fantastic she said last Thursday, after receiving her medal at a ceremony held at the Thunder Bay Police Service headquarters from acting Police Chief Sylvie Hauth.
“I come from a family of piping, and when I saw an ad in the paper that said would you like to learn how to play the pipes, when I was 47 years old, I thought, ‘How hard can it be?
“Well, it’s very difficult. It’s like wrestling an octopus, actually. But I learned how to play. Lorne Clifford was my teacher. Being part of the pipe band is very much like a family. We’re very, very happy to volunteer at senior’s homes, at Remembrance Day services – anything to have to do with veterans and the elderly.”
MacDonald-Craig said there’s always some sort of ceremony around town or in the region where a pipe band adds that final flare.
“It’s just a nice musical accompaniment to lots of special ceremonies and it’s just fabulous to be a volunteer. I think, actually, that more people should volunteer. It makes you feel good and it accomplishes a lot,” she said.
Pipe major Ken Wilson, pipe sergeant Alasdair Graham, and pipers Jerry Pearce and Greg Bird were also honoured at the police station ceremony, while drummer John Currie and piper Pam Ward accepted their awards earlier this year in Ottawa. Honourary clan chieftain Peter Toohey’s award was also already presented, while two honorees chose to remain anonymous.
Hauth said the awards were important, as is the pipe band, which was first formed in 1984.
“I’ve listened to their music and been part of many events with them and it’s a very important tie with our community,” Hauth said. “The volunteer hours they put into these events and representing us as a policing agency out in the community is exceptional.”
The hours they put in are phenomenal, she added.
“I think it is long overdue that we publicly acknowledge their service to our community and the many hours that they’ve dedicated to the band and what they provide to us.”
Follow Leith Dunick on Twitter: @LeithDunick
