The National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies Inc., (NCLEES) will sponsor the 15th Annual Memorial March And Service in Washington D.C. on Thursday, May 14, 2009. This event is one of the major highlights of National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Week and features a number of colorful groups marching in formation on Washington roadways to the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial on E Street. The Memorial March is followed by an extremely moving Memorial Service at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial for all fallen peace officers - especially those of Gaelic descent. The NCLEES cordially invites Emerald Society organizations, peace officers, law enforcement officers and public safety organizations to participate in these annual events. Non-Law enforcement individuals and organizations will be allowed to participate as space permits, at the discretion of the March coordinators of NCLEES.

The concept of a national bagpipe memorial service actually originated with Michael Mitchell (Police Pipes and Drums of Florida) and J.T. McBride (Drum Major of the Greater Cleveland Police Safety Forces Pipes and Drums and Emerald Society President). Mitchell and McBride sought support from Lt. Patrick O’Brien, President of the National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies, Inc., and Craig Floyd, Executive Director of the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Foundation after NCLEES did a walk and wreath lying ceremony in 1994. As a result of their combined efforts, the first national police pipe band memorial march and service was held on May 14, 1995 in Washington, D.C. NCLEES Executive Director and Nassau County police officer Lou Walker became the NCLEES Memorial March and Service coordinator in 1997. Lou Walker established a standing Honor Guard Committee and NCLEES Pipe Band Committee to provide musical leadership and protocol guidance to participating groups and individuals. Jim McBride served as the first National Pipe Band Chairman until 2002. Steve Butterbrodt of Port Authority Police is current Chairman. NCLEES Activities during Police Memorial Week have been expanded to include special ceremonies honoring FOP and Secret Service personnel killed in the line of duty. In addition to the Annual March and Memorial Services, the NCLEES Pipe Band Committee (when requested) provides technical support and assistance to any police or fire agency dealing with a line-of -duty death funeral or memorial service. NOTE: The event coordinator Brian Manion will be chairperson and coordinate this in 2009.

• Dennis Long NCLEES President (Jersey City Police (N.J.) Emerald Society)

• Lou Walker (Nassau County N.Y. Police Emerald Society – Co-Chairman – 516-578-3658 – Lwalker960@optonline.net.

• Mike Roe (Police Emerald Society of Missouri, Metro St. Louis)-Co-Chairman Fixhitz6@hotmail.com

• Det. Dave Elmendorf (Clarkstown N.Y. Police Dept.) – Honor Guard Coordinator (914) 639-5847

• Charlie Moore (Washington D.C. Area Police Emerald Society) Traffic Coordinator - Cbmoore3@aol.com

• Mike Newton (Police Emerald Society Baltimore) – Marching Unit Coordinator (410-879-7626)

• Joseph Keenan (New York City Police Emerald Society) – Master of Ceremonies joe9281@yahoo.com

• Brian Manion (Washington D.C. Area Police Emerald Society) – Capitol Steps Service Event Coordinator (202-962-5701)

• Steve Butterbrodt - Port Authority Police of N.Y. N.J. Emerald Society - Pipe Band Coordinator

Any Emerald Society organization, Emerald Society member, public safety band or marching unit, color guard, honor guard, or related organizations, is eligible to apply for permission to participate in this event. To obtain an application form contact Lou Walker e-mail Lwalker960@optonline.net or P.O. Box 486 Amityville N.Y. 11701 Applicants must be associated with or sponsored by an active Emerald Society registered with the NCLEES, Police or law enforcement agency, or a public safety organization chartered pursuant to federal, state or local law. Completed forms should be mailed, e-mailed or FAXED as per instructions on the application NO LATER THAN April 1, 2009. (APPLICATION FOR 2008 MEMORIAL MARCH) 

There is currently no fee for participating in the 2009 NCLEES Memorial March and Service. Donations, however, to defray the substantial costs of the event are welcome. Donations can be sent directly to the NCLEES headquarters (see the address on the web site).

National Honor Units For 2009

The NCLEES 2009 Host Pipe Band is the Lake County Sheriffs Office (Indiana) Pipes and Drums. The 2009 Police Honor Guard is Philadelphia Police Honor Guard

Headquarters Hotel for N.C.L.E.E.S. 2009 National Annual Conference

The NCLEES Annual Conference will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2009 from 09:30 until 15:00 at the Liaison Hotel at 415 New Jersey Avenue NW. Washington D.C.

2009 Memorial March

All personnel who intend to march are asked to report (in appropriate uniform and ready to march) at 1630 hrs on Thursday May 14th  at New Jersey Avenue NW and F Street NW (official staging area). Each Pipe Band group must have at least ten (10) participants to march as a unit (less will be place with a pipe band unit) The head (or “boss”) of each marching unit must report directly to Mike Newton, the NCLEES Event Coordinator (EC) or Assistant Event Coordinator (AEC) for marching instructions (Order of March). The official NCLEES “Order of March” can be found on the NCLEES web page prior to this event. The EC and all AEC’s will be wearing NCLEES ID tags have copies of the Order of March. When the leader of each marching unit checks in with the EC or and Assistant EC, he or she will be issued an NCLEES 2009 Honor Ribbon to display with their Unit Colors and/or Guide-On. Only one honor ribbon will be issued to each marching unit. There is also a special honor ribbon for the host pipe band and the host honor guard each year. All participants are asked to cooperate with the starters so that the event might run as smoothly as possible. The EC reserves the right to assign smaller groups and individuals to larger marching units. The Memorial March will step off promptly at 1800 hours so don’t be late.

The NCLEES Pipe Band Committee suggests that all pipe bands play appropriate Irish tunes while marching to the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial (NLEOM). Each pipe band is asked to play a final short musical “set” as they turn at the last corner onto E Street and approach the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial. Bands are asked to enter the NLEOM grounds silently (on the rims). After entering the site, Drum majors and Pipe Majors must follow the directions of NCLEES Senior Honor Guard Det. Gary McDonald and his assistants and move quickly into their designated place of honor. Once each band is “parked” at its designated spot, it should be brought to a “rest” position until all units are assembled and await further instructions.

2009 Memorial Service at the NLEOM

The 15th annual NCLEES Memorial Service will begin promptly at 1800 hrs on Thursday, May 14, 2009. All participants (bands and color and honor guards) must follow the directions of the Drum Major of the Day and NCLEES Honor Guard Commander Det. Dave Elmendorf. The massed bands may play tunes assigned by the NCLEES National Host Pipe Band. As customary, the National Pipe Band of Honor will play a solo tune at an appropriate point during the ceremony. At some point in the ceremony all of the Pipe Majors will also gather to play “Amazing Grace”.

Dismissal and Massed Bands after the Memorial Service

Upon completion of the NCLEES Memorial Service the Drum Major of the Day will instruct all marching units on when and how to “Fall out”.

27th Annual National Peace Officer Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol

On Friday May 15, 2009 the NCLEES Host Pipe Band will perform from 1100-1200 hours on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Bands are asked to report to NCLEES Event Coordinator Brian Manion (202-962-5701) at 3rd Avenue and Constitution at 1000 hours in uniform and prepared to warm up prior to the event. Later in the day the Host pipe Band will meet the Survivors from 2008 at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial to support the annual wreath-laying ceremony.

At approximately 1530hrs on Friday May 15, 2009, the NCLEES Host Pipe Band will provide musical support for a wreath laying ceremony, conducted by the National FOP and C.O.P.S., at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The NCLEES Event Coordinator for this activity is Brian Manion at gardavp@aol.com.

Steve Butterbrodt Port Authority Police Pipes and Drums will coordinate the  traditional “Midnight Piper” service at the National Law Enforcement Memorial throughout the event.

If your organization is interested in serving as the NCLEES Host Pipe Band or Host Honor/Color Guard for 2010 please send a written application on the organization’s official letterhead stationery to Lou Walker / NCLEES P.O. Box 486 Amityville N.Y 11701 or Lwalker960@optonline.net

Requests for Emerald Society pipers and drummers at all other activities during 2009 National Police Week in the Washington D.C. area from any source should be directed to Steve Butterbrodt or Brian Manion

Official Disclaimer

The NCLEES reserves the right to grant or deny permission to any individual, unit or organization to participate in this private memorial march and service, and preference will be given to individuals, units and organizations of Gaelic descent. NCLEES officials must approve all unit and organizational banners and flags. Political banners, flags or signs are prohibited. Permission to use the name of the organization and its logo must be obtained from the NCLEES Executive Board. ALL participating units must be registered PRIOR to the March and service. Each participating unit will be presented with a Green and Gold NCLEES 2009 Honor Ribbon to commemorate their participation in the 2009 event.