Suspended drum Major John Coleman leaves Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums band

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Drum major quits, citing hurt feelings

Drum Major John Coleman, suspended last week for six months for nodding and waving to President Barack Obama, said Tuesday that he will not return to the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums band.

"There are too many bridges burned with the pipe band, too many hurt feelings on both sides," said Coleman, 53, fire inspector for Cleveland Heights and a 17-year veteran of the band.

The band marched in the inaugural parade, and as Coleman led the band past the president, he nodded his head and waved at Obama. He said the president waved first, and he was acknowledging the commander-in-chief.

But band members had been warned not to make any gestures, so he was suspended from the band, which is made up of about four dozen firefighters from several local departments as well as civilians.

The story gained national attention Monday and became the subject of hot debate. The band removed its roster from its Web site Tuesday and deleted its phone number.

"There are some of the members of the band who wouldn't want me back," said Coleman, who as the drum major was the face of the organization and was often interviewed by the media.

"I figure it's best for the band if I leave," he said.

Band leader Mike Engle, the pipe major, was out of town Tuesday and unavailable to comment. A statement issued by the band read: "We're sorry to see him leave. We are greatly disappointed that this issue has caused so much heartache. It's been a disheartening few days."

Coleman will not be leading the band in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Cleveland for the first time in 17 years. "But I could still march in the parade with the firefighters or the Ancient Order of the Hibernians," he said.

He will then have a knee replacement operation he had been putting off until after the parade.