Band of Brothers Pipes and Drums

Est. 2002

Pipe Major Chester Milen

Chester was a former Illinois State Police officer, painter, and excelled at playing the bagpipes. During his bag-piping career, he belonged to the Orak Shriners Bagpipe and Drum Band, where he led the group to 3 North American championships and 14 Great Lakes Shrine championships under his leadership as Pipe Major. In the late 1970s he was asked to assist in forming the Bagpipes and Drums of The Emerald Society- Chicago Police under former Mayor Jane Byrne, and was an active member of the band through the mid – 1980s.

Towards the end of his Illinois State Police career Chester offered his services to the department for performances at funerals. This later blossomed into the formation of the Illinois State Police Pipes and Drums where the group enjoyed a decade of performances throughout the State of Illinois, but highlighted by performing for former President George Bush (1991) in Washington DC. Chester was honored by the pipes and drums for his loyalty not only to the band, but also to the community.

After Chester retired from the ISP he was asked to assist in forming an all fire department band in Hammond, IN. The band originally started with Hammond Firefighters, but later expanded to surrounding professional departments in both Indiana and Illinois and is now known as the Band of Brothers. Although Chester battled colon cancer, he still performed with the Band of Brothers at weddings, funerals, special events, and marching parades. His passion for teaching, playing, and performing still lives on with those who were touched by his many talents, but he felt truly blessed to be surrounded by those willing learn, volunteer their time away from their families for performances, and laugh at his jokes!

Chester was an inspiration to us all, and his legend still lives on each time we strike up the drones.

So Long, Chester, We Hardly Knew Ye……...

Pipe Major

Chester Milen

1941-2007