Meet Iowa Bagpiper - Ron Husted
What got me started?
From the time I was but a wee lad, the sound of a Bagpipe made my blood boil. The first time I heard one live was during an assembly at Ankeny High School featuring Al Bell. Every summer Al traveled to a new and exciting land. Bringing back curious artifacts and telling us the exciting tales of his journey. Scotland, the land of my ancestors just happened to be Al's journey that year. It wasn't enough that he brought and played a Bagpipe for us, but even wore a kilt. That was more then I could bear, from that moment on I knew one day I would play the Bagpipes. In 1980 good fortune struck. I was introduced to Thomas S. Coulson. Tom was a piper, having served with the Essex Scottish of Canada during WWII. Tom treated me like any other new recruit, teaching me the British style of military drill along with the art of piping, the way he learned while serving with the Essex Scottish. My journey into Bagpiping was magic then, but even more so now, 44 years later. This journey has brought me untold enjoyment, taken me places I otherwise would have missed and resulted in friendships with many wonderful people that would have otherwise never occurred.
A Tribute to my Pipe Major and Mentor
Thomas S. Coulson
Thomas S. Coulson was a piper with the Essex Scottish 4th Brigade in 1942. Prior to the Second World War, Tom studied piping under the tutelage of Norman Fraser, a Canadian Army Veteran who served during WWI. After joining the Canadian Army Tom studied under Pipe Major Bobby Stoker, a Gold Medalist and Army Piper from Calgary, Alberta, Tom's place of birth. Tom was later selected to attend the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming at the Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland where he then studied under the legendary Pipe Major Willie Ross.
Tom was selected to singularly represent his Regiment, the 2nd Battalion, Essex Scottish, at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II held at Westminster Abbey in London on June 2nd 1953.
* Notably, one member of every Regiment in the British Commonwealth was chosen to form this unique "Regiment of Honor" for the Royal Coronation Ceremonies.
Photo was taken in Groningen Holland in 1945, a day after the bridge was taken from Hitler's forces. Tom is shown as the second piper back on the left side of the photo.
A Few of My Piping Highlights
In 2008 I founded Iowa Bagpipe Supply. I Supplied bagpipes and Highland supplies to my customers all throughout North America. My web based bagpipe and supply business thrived, I prided myself in providing the highest quality bagpipe related products at fair prices, with fast service and the convenience of at home shopping. I've been retired from that facet of my piping several years now, devoting my time and energy to playing the instrument.
In 2013 I became the founding Pipe Major of the Newton Professional Firefighters Pipes & Drums.
My piping duties now are piping at events the Jasper County Emergency Services Honor Guard are a part of. A few examples are Newton Fire Department badge pinning ceremonies, New FD Truck Push in Ceremonies, the annual 911Memorial, the Jasper County Peace Officer Memorial, held each year at the courthouse in Newton during National Police Week, July 4th parades and our local Memorial Day and Veterans day events.
Over the years I've had the privilege of piping at scores of firefighter, peace officer and military memorials. Escorted our Iowa National Guard troops into their deployment and return ceremonies and piped at numerous US Army Reserve functions, change of command ceremonies, honor flight send offs in Polk, Jasper, Story and Boone Counties. My pipes have also been heard at Air Force and law enforcement winter balls, weddings, funerals, parades and special occasions throughout Iowa. I piped at the 200th Iowa Law Enforcement Academy graduating class, with US Senator Chuck Grassley as the class Keynote Speaker. I've had the great privilege of piping at a number of events in Iowa, officiated by past Governor Terry Branstad / US Ambassador to China, also at numerous events officiated by our present Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
It was a great honor and privilege to be the featured piper for the annual State of Iowa Golden Dome Awards Ceremony, hosted by past Governor and later to become our US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and also for Governor Chet Culver. The Golden Dome Awards Ceremony was held inside the State Capitol Building under its beautiful Rotunda, and recognized our outstanding state employees and honored those who have passed.
In 2017 I and another piper, Theresa Taylor piped up the fairway to the first tee, marking the start of the USA vs European competition at the Solheim Golf Tournament, held at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. I was honored to be selected by the golfing authority in Scotland to be the lone piper during the closing ceremony, as the American Flag was lowered and the Flag of Scotland raised, signifying the passing of the tournament from the USA to Scotland for 2019.
In 2018 I and bagpiper Theresa Taylor were privileged to play at the State Capital in January for the annual Veteran's day at the Capitol event, then again in March to Open up the Iowa Senate with Amazing Grace and America the Beautiful, by invitation from Iowa Senator Brad Zahn.
I attended the September 11, 2002 Memorial Service, held at Sec Taylor Stadium (now Principal Park) in Des Moines, IA. and was privileged to be the featured soloist to a capacity crowd.
One of my fondest memories came in 2007 when Iowa's 133rd Infantry returned from a record setting two years of active deployment in Iraq. This was featured in the CBS 60 Minutes documentary entitled; "Fathers, Sons & Brothers". 640 Iowa Soldiers formed up behind the bagpipes and drums and were escorted into their return ceremony to be reunited with their loved ones.
Each year I pipe at Buena Vista University during founders day, leading the new class, along with the university's president and faculty through the victory arch, then on to the Schaller Memorial Chapel, marking the beginning of their four year academic journey. In the spring I escort the graduating class from Schaller Chapel back through the victory arch to their commencement ceremony, marking the end of their academic journey at Buena Vista University and the beginning of their new journey in the world.
A Couple of Firsts
I'm proud to be the first piper to pipe at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery for its groundbreaking ceremony, officiated by Governor Tom Vilsack.
I and bagpiper Theresa Taylor opened up a NASCAR sponsored race at the Iowa Speedway with "America the Beautiful"