My family has some serious military ties. My wife is a veteran of the US Navy and my step-son is currently serving in the US Air Force. Both of my grandfathers served in the British Army during WWII. Last weekend, the Air Force Ensemble Band, Celtic Aire played at the North Texas Irish Festival. They have a bagpiper! Tech Sgt. Adam Tianello plays the pipes and sometimes wears a kilt of the Air Force tartan with a cool Air Force dress jacket, insignia, ribbons and all. According to the Air Force’s website, Tianello is a grade III piper and played with the Feadán Òr Pipe Band. I didn’t get to visit with Tianello but I did get to talk to Master Sgt. Eric Sullivan, their bass player and he was was thrilled with the band’s reception at the Festival. The group is rounded out by Master Sgt. Joseph Haughton who plays the guitar and other strings, Senior Master Sgt. Dennis Hoffmann who plays accordian and drums, Tech. Sgt. Julia Cuevas on the flute, bodhran, and whistle and Master Sgt. Emily Wellington on the fiddle. Sullivan, Hoffman, Haughton, Cuevas and Wellington also perform with “The Singing Sergeants”, the official chorus of the Air Force. They are a talented group of musicians and proudly represent the US Air Force with their music. All photos are by Senior Airman Ryan J. Sonnier.
http://www.usafband.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123470253