Teen Honors Veterans, Marches Through Cemetery Playing Bagpipes

DENVER (CBS4)- Instead of sitting in class on Veterans Day, 15-year-old Colin Lewis marched through Fort Logan National Cemetery, in full Highland dress playing "Amazing Grace" on his bagpipes.

The high school freshman wanted to honor Colorado servicemen and women.

"I have a massive respect for all of our veterans passed away, or still active duty," Colin said.

Colin's paternal and maternal grandfathers are both veterans and several of his relatives are still active duty.

His father gave him permission to play at Fort Logan, in lieu of school.

"Colin has always been a patriot," Charles Lewis, his father said, "I am very proud of him."

Colin's Scottish and Irish heritage inspired him to start learning the instrument about two years ago.

Now he plays every chance he gets, from military funerals, to the Fourth of July, usually for free.

"Every soldier deserves a bagpipe at his tombstone every day, but at least I can come today," Colin said.

He hopes to join the Marines after he graduates from high school.

"I definitely want to do something with my life that will make a big impact and I think the military would be a great way to do that," said Colin.

Colin plans to play again at Fort Logan on Veterans Day next year.

Mark Taylor is a weekend morning anchor and reporter with CBS4 news covering a wide variety of stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkTaylor_TV.