What did the high-pitch sound at Ford's procession mean? (1 Viewer)

[ULSaint]

Does anyone know the symbolism behind the high pitched sound at the WWII Memorial last night during Ford's funeral procession? Thanks.

 

[St. Chris]

Not sure if it is the sound you are talking about, but I know I heard the announcers talking about a salute by the Navy playing some song on the whistle as a tribute to Ford's service in the Navy during WWII.

 

[DadsDream]

Yep. Boatswain’s whistle salute.

At the World War II memorial, lights bathed the granite arch commemorating the Pacific theater as Ford’s nighttime funeral procession stopped there in tribute to his years as an ensign and gunnery officer.

The other arch, representing the Atlantic theater, stood in darkness.

Ford served as a navigator and gunnery officer on the aircraft carrier USS Monterey.

As the hearse stopped, Navy Chief Boatswain’s Mate Carlos Ribbot, 41, stepped forward, saluted with his right hand and with his left raised a Boatswain’s pipe hanging from an ornately braided rope lanyard around his neck.

Clad in white shirt, black tie, and black tunic with gold hash marks and white eagle on his left sleeve, Ribbot, a native of Humacao, Puerto Rico, then played the three long, solemn notes that constitute “piping the side,” the Navy’s traditional farewell.

READ MORE

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/16353538.htm

PIPING THE SIDE

The proper name of the shrill metal whistle, used by the navy is the boatswain’s call, and sounding it is known as piping. The term “Piping the Side” originated in the days of sailing ships, from the way visiting captains arrived on board. Instead of climbing the ladders, they were hoisted aboard by a group of sailors called the Side Party, a title shortened in time to “the side.” The order to “pipe the side” was given by the officer of the watch, and the boatswain relayed this to the men using his call.

This salute to a visiting dignitary now consists of the call being blown twice, once as the dignitary’s boat draws alongside the ship’s accommodation ladder, and again as that person mounts the ladder and steps inboard. The procedure is reversed as the dignitary departs. Traditionally, the side is also piped when a corpse is brought on board, taken ashore, or committed to the deep.

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http://www.rcl554.webcentre.ca/commem/Piping.html