![]() ![]() Still, it seems like more and more personal stories, fascinating accounts, and even urban legends from the invasion emerge every day. In the years and decades that followed, D-Day became one of the most thoroughly studied and documented events of World War II. Invading Hitler’s Fortress Europe was no small matter, even with all the preparations and forethought Allied planners made in advance of the landings. ![]() Have a story idea? Contact him at or on Twitter Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.On June 6, 1944, the Allied forces launched Operation Overlord, the largest and most complex amphibious landing in history until that point. Be it news, outdoors, sports - you name it, he wants to report it. Reporter Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life. House call: Easter Bunny lights up children's faces “The fact that someone shows up and applauds and says 'thank you' is just icing on the cake.'' "I would be out here playing if there was no one out here,'' he said, while thanking people. This beautiful evening, West played before a handful of people who gathered along the trail and clapped after each song. Other trail users slowed their pace while approaching to hear the soulful music, and his Water Valley neighbors cheered him from across the pond after he finished as the sun set. “I always end with ‘Taps’ into ‘Amazing Grace,’ ’’ he said. He played the Gulf War tribute song “Sands of Kuwait’’ as a tribute to a fellow firefighter who recently returned from service overseas. The April 6 playlist included what he called an old Irish standby, "Dawning of the Day,'' which he had played at a funeral. Life during pandemic: Alone, together: A parent tries to find balance, a teacher stays connected and more stories "When I’m playing, I think a lot about the other occasions or last occasion I played the song.'' "I literally think about what songs I’m going to play all day, then something will strike me,'' West said between tunes at the Pelican statue along the Poudre Trail on April 6. As a member of the Emerald Society, he has played for many celebration of life events for police and firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. If the pandemic allows, he will play from the deck of the USS Missouri in Hawaii this summer in honor of V-J Day, the commemoration of the end of World War II. Last year, he played the bagpipes in Normandy, France, as part of the 75th anniversary of D-Day. ![]() He eventually lost interest in the instrument until 12 years ago. At the time, there was only one other bagpipe player with the South Metro Fire District in Denver where he worked, and that person worked another shift. West, who celebrated 38 years as a firefighter last week, picked up the bagpipe 30 years ago. West said members started playing March 29 and will play "until a reputable source tells them the coronavirus curve has flattened and the virus is under control.''Ĭoronavirus masks: Coloradans show off theirs He said the COVID-19 pandemic broke up the band for now, so instead of practicing together, members practice the same songs on their sunset tributes with the hopes that they will be ready to play together when the pandemic passes. He and other members of the society's bagpiper ranks borrowed the idea from another band to head to different destinations near their homes and play for the last 20 to 30 minutes before sunset. West belongs to the 75-member Colorado Emerald Society, a band of Irish police officers and firefighters from 24 different agencies across Colorado. "It says we put up another good day of fight, and we are ready to put up another day of fight tomorrow.'' "This is a way of telling our friends and neighbors we are still here for another day,'' said West, who lives in Windsor’s Water Valley neighborhood. The man providing the voluminous air needed to fill the instrument’s four bags is Mike West, a fire chief by day for Johnstown-based Front Range Fire Rescue and now bagpiper at dusk. If you happen to be strolling along the peaceful Poudre Trail near Eastman Park, you're likely to hear the soulful melody of a bagpipe. howling isn’t the only sound Windsor residents hear as a nightly rallying cry to ward off coronavirus blues. Watch Video: Colorado fire chief plays bagpipes at sunset to soothe coronavirus blues ![]()
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