CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — Aside from the periodic hum of a hovering MV-22 Osprey in the distance or the muted chatter of soldiers, sailors, and Marines milling about in front of the stage, all else was silent.
Then Lance Cpl. Rory MacEachern started to play
Lance Cpl. Rory MacEachern opened Toby Keith on a USO tour. He captured everyone’s attention, maybe it was the sound of the bagpipe in such a faraway location.
For the time being though, he is quite happy playing with his brothers and sisters in arms. In addition to the occasional evening performance here, MacEachern has treated the hundreds of newly-minted Marines and their families to an impromptu performance in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial upon graduating from recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. He also played as part of the graduation ceremonies upon completing military occupational specialty school aboard Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
According to MacEachern, it’s his way to keep spirits up.
“A lot of people are pretty surprised to hear bagpipes playing out here,” he said. “I get mixed emotions – people love it or hate it – but, for the most part, Marines seem to like it. I think it helps bring morale up and that’s always a good thing out here.”
