The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for communities around the world, and the Mashantucket Tribal Nation is no exception. That is why our very own Mashantucket Western Pequot Police Department has brought back a centuries old tradition to inspire local residents during these trying times.

The custom, referred to as “Sunset Solidarity,” resurfaced after a Colorado police department started playing bagpipes at sunset a few weeks ago. First responders – including firefighters, police officers and paramedics – across the country have joined in to inspire courage and provide hope for local residents within earshot. Now, the Mashantucket police are among the first to bring this tradition to the Northeast.

Every night since March 31, Officer Tom Miskell plays the bagpipes at sunset. Tom has been playing the bagpipes for 11 years and is a member of the department’s newly established Honor Guard. Tom finds a different location on the Mashantucket Reservation to play every night, including in front of the Grand Pequot Hotel, at the community gardens, and even on top of the Fox Tower so more and more people can hear the music. The department plans to continue this tradition until the pandemic eventually ends.

To see new videos of Tom performing, follow along on Facebook via the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Foxwoods Resort Casino. We hope these performances inspire you to stay strong during the pandemic, just like they’ve inspired us. In the meantime, from all of us at Foxwood Resort Casino and the entire Mashantucket Tribal Nation, be well and stay safe.