The Official History of the Emerald
Society
by Patrick F. O'Brien
The chronicles of the Public Safety
Emerald Societies is relatively short in comparison to the history of the
Irish in America.
All through the annals of America,
the Irish played an important role in shaping the United States.
The Irish in America,
not only made history, they consumed it. They are one of the premier
success stories in the land of immigrants.
However, in the early days of America,
the Irish immigrants were not always welcomed. They were the first ethnic
group to live in the slums of the cities. Furthermore, the Irish were
also the first ethnic group that were publicly discriminated against for
jobs. It was common practice for employers to state “Irish need not
apply”, so the only jobs they could get were low paying, back
breaking work that few wanted. However, through determination and hard
work the Irish overcame these and other obstacles. One profession that
the Irish gravitated to were the Police and Fire Departments.
In the late part of the 19th century
and early part of the 20th century, police jobs were undesirable because
of the low pay and few benefits. In the fire departments it was worse;
there was no pay because it was largely made up of volunteers. The Irish
took up these professions because it was a way to become a part of America, a way to be accepted by
mainstream America
and a way to give back to their new found country. By the beginning of
the 20th century, not only were the Irish fully immersed in the police
and fire departments, they were in charge of them! The Irish transformed
the job of watchman and fire watch into the organized police and fire
departments of today.
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History of the Camden County
Emerald Society
Pipes & Drums
The Camden County Emerald Society
Pipes and Drums were formed in 1995 by members of Chapter 10 of the
Emerald Society of the State of New
Jersey who realized the need for a police and
fire band. We are comprised of active and retired policemen, firemen,
emergency medical technicians and former U.S. military members.
The bands original date for debut was
set for September, 1995 at the annual Irish festival in Wildwood, New Jersey but
those plans were quickly dismissed with the murder of Haddon Heights
Police Officer John Norcross and Camden County Prosecutors Office
Investigator Jack McLaughlin on April 20, 1995. The band was able to lend
its' moral support to the families and departments of those fallen
officers and again as we were called upon to play at funerals and
memorials that year, for yet another 12 Officers who made the
"Supreme Sacrifice" in the Delaware Valley and New Jersey.
The band has been invited to play at
special events and for dignitaries throughout the region, including
playing for the Archbishop of Philadelphia on St. Patrick's Day and
leading the 1996 parade. Annually we perform for the Camden County Hero
Scholarship Club, which honors the heroic actions of policemen, firemen,
emergency medical technicians and civilians. We also perform at the New
Jersey Special Olympics Summer Games at The College of New Jersey and the
New York Giants home opener in the Meadowlands. One of our proudest
moments was when we played at the Garden State Race Track for the Police
Appreciation Day, which was founded by one of our members, Fran Ferry. The
event raised money for police survivor groups.
As the band developed into a strong
and respected musical group, more requests and invitations to perform
were received. A special invitation in 1997 was received from the United States Military
Academy at West Point, New York
to perform at their annual bagpipe tattoo. This is truly an honor as only
16 bands from North America are invited.
Tragedy struck once again on July 24,
1998. The band was called upon to do its' solemn duty after a call came
from Washington D.C. to confirm our worst fears. Two
United States Capitol Policemen were killed in the Line of Duty in the
Capitol. The band performed at the national memorial service at the steps
of the Capitol for Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson. Drum
Major Richard Desmond made a request to have the pipes played in the
Capitol Rotunda, and permission was granted by the only person who has
the authority to do so, the President of the United States. Five pipers
were then escorted to the caskets where for the first time in the history
of the United States
of America, music was played. The
pipers played "Going Home" and "Amazing Grace".
Then in November 1999 a great tragedy
struck in Worcester, Massachusetts. Six firemen were lost
fighting a blaze in a cold storage facility. It was almost two weeks
before all of their remains would be recovered. In one of the greatest
responses ever witnessed, policemen, firemen and civilians from the United States, Canada,
Europe and Australia
arrived for the memorial march. The silence in the three-mile march was
broken only by the dirge of the snare drums. Officials estimated the
marchers at over 30,000. A park is to be built at the site.
The September 11th attacks saw the
band members respond to New York City to
assist with the rescue and recovery efforts and then play at 44 funerals
and memorials for the lost members of the PAPD, NYPD and FDNY, including
one in Puerto Rico. We were truly
humbled to play as we honored our fallen.
July 4, 2002 once again brought tragedy
close to home when we lost three little girls and three of Camden County's bravest, Chief James
Sylvester, Fire Marshal John West and Firefighter Thomas Stewart in an
early morning house fire.
The Camden County Pipes and Drums, are
dedicated to provide a solemn and dignified farewell to a fallen brother
or sister, although, the majority of our performances are holiday
parades, special events and supporting charitable organizations.
We thank you for your continued
support!
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