9/11 Museum Weekly Bagpipe Tribute Honors 9/11 Victims

FDNY officer Bob King, NYPD officer Eamon Nugent, and PAPD officer Brian Ahern participate in a weekly bagpipe tribute in Foundation Hall. They are wearing traditional outfits, including kilts. The slurry wall is lit up behind them.
FDNY officer Bob King, NYPD officer Eamon Nugent and PAPD officer Brian Ahern participate in a weekly bagpipe tribute in Foundation Hall. Photo by 9/11 Memorial staff.

The haunting sound of bagpipes echoes in the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s Foundation Hall on most Wednesday afternoons. Curious museum visitors gather around the 58-ton steel beam known as the Last Column to hear the bagpipers from the NYPD, FDNY and PAPD pay tribute to those who died on 9/11.

In the tragic aftermath of 9/11, bagpipers and drummers played at hundreds of funerals held for police officers and firefighters who lost their lives. Today, the solemn sound of bagpipes remains an important reminder of a time when New Yorkers came together to grieve for their fallen heroes.

The tradition in Foundation Hall began in May 2014 as part of a ceremony held in the 9/11 Memorial Museum to honor the 12th anniversary of the formal end of the rescue and recovery efforts.

It is a powerful experience for many who visit the museum. Visitors interested in experiencing the weekly bagpipe tribute in Foundation Hall should plan to visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

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