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A group of Colorado firefighters and police officers have started a musical tradition while dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
As night falls, members from the Colorado Emerald Society close out the day by going outside their homes and playing their bagpipes and drums, KDVR-TV reports. Two dozen fire and police departments from around the state make up the band, which has begun performing "Sunset Solidarity" together during the current health crisis, even though the musicians are miles apart.
“We do feel a certain sense of pride and unity in the law enforcement and fire and EMS community when it comes to sharing and demonstrating and hopefully inspiring a positive outlook,” Aurora Fire Capt. Thomas Johnson told KDVR.
Traditionally, the Colorado Emerald Society performs at the police and fire department funerals. But Johnson, who lives in Parker, hopes his dusk concerts lift the spirits of anyone who can hear the music.
“Last night, I heard some applause from the neighbors around us,” he told KDVR, adding that he plans to continue playing so long as there is a pandemic. “That’s the positive reinforcement back to me that this is doing what we’re hoping that it does.”
