Parades galore for pipe band

It’s been an active few weeks for the Wantagh American Legion Pipe Band, which has recently participated in St. Patrick’s Day parades in New York City, Rockville Centre, East Islip and Center Moriches.

“This is the busiest time of year,” said John Stone, the band’s pipe sergeant. “There is a huge concentration of activity in March.”

The band had 21 participants in the New York City parade on March 17. They marched at the front of the parade along with the 69th Infantry Regiment, known as the Fighting 69th, and played the unit’s song, “The Garryowen.”

Steve Ruggles, of Wantagh, founded the band in 1992 and serves as its manager. He said that in addition to the St. Patrick’s Day parades, the band marches in Wantagh’s Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades, as well as various Fire Department events.

The band is based at Wantagh American Legion Post 1273 and practices on Mondays and Thursdays. It also offers free bagpipe lessons on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. Stone, of Wantagh, also an original member of the band, said that it is a tough instrument to learn because of its complexity but anyone is welcome to come down and give it a try.