"Post Exchange"
Post 1297, (Arizona Highlanders) Prescott, AZ
14-15 Sept: Prescott Highland Games at Watson Lake, was an exciting weekend with our Color Guard in the opening ceremony with Duncan Scotland walking with the Chieftain carry his Scottish sword and targes. We had two booths with Wreaths Across America for our fallen hero’s and recruiting for membership. We had a great crowd that was interested in SAMS, and what we provide in our community for veterans. Color Guard was PC Don Klein, VC Skip Roberts, Chaplain Roy Abbott, Bill Robinson, James Greenought. Those manning booths include the above with Genevieve Klein, Kim Abbott, Wolf Snyder, Duncan Scotland, Clay and Irene Reed.
22 Sept: The 111th Annual Agua Fria Festival in Dewey-Humboldt was opened with 1297 Color Guard with Paul Flanagan Piping and Roy Abbott calling Cadence. They stopped at the judges station while the crowd recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Color Guard; PC Don Klein, Chaplain Roy Abbott, Bill Robinson and James Greenought. On booth watch, was Kim Abbott until we join her for a beautiful day.
28 Sept: At the Frontier Village, Prescott Veteran’s Stand Down, were over 50 organizations and stores in the area came to the aid for all veterans in our community. Serving in our booth was PC Don Klein, VC Skip Roberts, Duncan Scotland, Bill Robinson and James Greenought.
9 Nov: Veteran Day Ceremony at Granville Elementary School in Prescott Valley, the Color Guard was well received by the students and staff. We received a standing applause and the students gave us thank you cards that touch our hearts. Supporting the school program, veterans were a great representation of five service branches. Color Guard PC Don Klein, VC Skip Roberts, Chaplain Roy Abbott, and Bill Robinson. Accompanied by Young Marines was Colton Williams. Also present, Kim Abbott and Duncan Scotland
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10 Nov: Hometown Heroes was Prescott Veterans Day Parade theme that honored World War II veterans. Piper Russ Miller and Paul Flanagan lead the Color Guard. Manual Lucero calling Cadences, PC Don Klein, VC Skip Roberts and Bill Robinson present colors. Walking with us was Duncan Scotland, and Wolf Snyder, while riding on the trailer was Clay and Irene Reed, Chaplain Roy and Kim Abbott, while Genevieve Klein, drove the truck with all service flags.
11 Nov: Post Color Guard was invited to participate in the 1st Annual Light the Spark Charity Golf Tournament and Banquet opening ceremonies at the Prescott Country Club in Dewey. A special recognition was given to our member, Jerry Welna a World War II veteran, French Medal of Honor recipient, and Normandy survivor. There were four other honorees, Terrie Frankel, Tech Argent Jessie Keller, Peter B. Marshall and John Pietz given recognition for their service. We had a great turn out for this event. Color Guard PC Don Klein, VC Skip Roberts, Chaplain Roy Abbott, and Bill Robinson. Others attending Jerry Welna, Kim Abbott, and Duncan Scotland.
—Don Klein, PC, donaldklein62@gmail.com
Post 1298, (SGT John MacGregor) Central Texas
—George Shott, PC. shottgeorge@gmail.com
Post 1739, (The Frontiersmen) South Central PA
—Eric Ferguson, PC. knight@fastmail.fm
Post 1775, (Col Patrick Ferguson) N. & S. Carolina
The Post participated in the Scotland Co. Highland Games, in Laurinburg, NC. Despite intense flooding of the site just weeks before, the field was dried and ready for the games. The Color Guard, along with members of Boy Scout Troop 447, posted the national colors and Seven Celtic Nations flags for the opening ceremonies, and marched in the calling of the clans with local veterans.
On a somber note, we honored the passing of one of our own members, Ken Cloaninger. Ken passed away in October, and the honor guard escorted the funeral procession for the service. Ken was a long-time member of the Post and an Air Force Veteran. He will be missed, and contributed greatly to 1775’s history, previously serving as the Sergeant at Arms.
We also provided the Color Guard for the first Swamp Fox Highland Games, 17 Nov, in Florence, NC, proudly leading the opening ceremony, and included a “Thin Blue Line” tribute to the two Florence Law Enforcement Officers that died in the line of duty in October. The Post was asked to participate in next years games, and was also asked to be the official Color Guard for the Myrtle Beach Highland Games, 16 March 2019 adding another event to our 2019 Schedule.
The Post will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, and will recognize this milestone at its annual Christmas party in December. With the continued efforts of our members and a focus on recruiting, we hope to continue the Post’s contributions to the community for the next 25 years.
For 2019, we will be providing the Color Guard and flag retirement ceremony for our “home” games, the Loch Norman Games (ruralhillscottishfestivals.net) in Charlotte, NC, 12-14 April. We are looking forward to a very active 2019, and hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable winter.
Christopher Carter, VC,
Christopher.J.Carter@gmail.com
—Ken Lloyd, PC, kennethalloyd01@gmail.com
Post 1787, (MG Caesar Rodney) Odessa, Delaware
—Jim Grant, PC, uncle.duck@verizon.net
Post 1806, (Zebulon Pike) Colorado
—John Russell, PC. johnnyboy80133@comcast.net
Post 1812, RI, E Mass, E CT
—H J Farquharson, PC, newkent27@gmail.com
Post 1813, Columbus, OH
—Glenn Morrison PC, gmorrison@columbus.rr.com
Post 1814, (Ft. McHenry) Baltimore, MD
The Post “Wildcats” continue participating in monthly socials, festivals, parades and missions to help veterans.
We assisted Post 2 with their tent at the Virginia Celtic Festival and continue to hold our monthly Kilt Nights with special speakers. Emma Canoles spoke to us about the history of Tea and how to conduct a “proper Tea”. Emma moved to the US in 2006 from England and was great. Britt Stouffer from Stouffer Legal joined us and talked about new rules for Veteran benefits and how to apply. She also represents veterans with their claims, pro-bono or free of charge.
Bruce, Harriett, Tom and Jim Schiaffino also helped coordinate and co-hosted a “Celtic Gathering” for nearly 100 guests from five Celtic Clans and societies of central Maryland.
We were invited to provide the Honor Guard again for the Baltimore Co. Senior Expo. The Post provided bugler Bruce Dull, Piper Warren Myers and color guard Harriett and Tom Dull and Dr. Jack Gordon for the Veteran’s Muster Ceremony where we honored Maryland veterans.
Anne Arundel Co. Police and Fire, Military Appreciation day was a lot of fun and gave the Color Guard a chance to shine as well as create friendships with several JROTC programs and other service organizations. Thanks to Tony and Kim Mills, Dave Ricklis, Harriett, Tom and Bruce Dull and Bill and Kay Morice for supporting the event.
Once again, the Post laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. WHAT AN HONOR. This was our second time and still takes my breath away when taps is played. Special Bravo Zulu to Tom Dull, Dave Ricklis, Patrick MacRae and Jack Gordon who did a yeoman’s job with the Wreath laying as well as Harriett and Bruce Dull for photographing and videotaping the 2 minute and 40 second event.
For a 3rd year, we provided Bugler Bruce Dull, and escorts for the Department of Veteran Affairs, Veteran’s Day ceremony. After posting the Colors by Post 2 Mark Wardlaw, Bruce Dull, Jack Gordon and Bill Morice, James Schiaffino, Dave Ricklis, and Ray Buchanan performed the “13 Folds Ceremony”. During the memorial service, family members of veterans who passed away since the last ceremony are called to the front to light a candle in their memory. Post members escorted the families to the front and back and rendered a memorial salute while they lit the candles. We were immediately invited back next year.
Irish Festival was a bit disorganized this year. SAMS as well as many other organizations never heard back. But two days before the event we managed to share a table between three groups where we may have recruited a new member interested in life membership. No application yet. We all know how that works.
Thank you to Post Commander who made a day of it.
Our fundraiser for Wreaths Across America continues till the end of November. We matched last years Wreath count but need to double that to meet our goal. No greater effort can be laid in our hands but to remember those brothers and sisters gone before us to lay silent, cold and forgotten at Christmas time. What a great sight to see a wreath adorned with a red bow on each veteran’s headstone.
I was very pleased this week to receive a new member form with check from William Johnson II, an Army Veteran who comes to us from Hagerstown, Maryland. Welcome aboard Will.
Philip Theune from Post 100 was transferred to Maryland for two years on business and asked if he could join us for our adventures. We say no, to no one. Welcome aboard Philip, even if it is TAD (Temporary assigned duty).
We are in full prep-mode for our Burn’s Night Supper and Awards Ceremony. We present the JROTC Award, A Veteran’s Service Award and a Community Service Award as well as the Commander’s Award. With better funding this year, we moved to a new location which will remedy some of last years mishaps.
So, we continue to grow, hitting the 30 member goal for 2018-2019 season and participate with other groups in the Scottish community as well as public service always putting the face of SAMS in the public eye when possible.
Check out our web site samspost1814.org or our facebook page - SAMS Post 1814 Baltimore.
Be safe, be warm and have a Very Happy Joyous Holiday Season to one and all. Till next year…..
—Bruce Dull, PC, bdull.sams1814@gmail.com
Post 1821, (John J Pershing) St Louis, MO
—Steve Butler, Adj, for
—Jack Grothe, PC, jackgrothe@att.net
Post 1824, (Ozark Highlanders), MO
We hope that everyone had an enjoyable Veterans Day. The Pipers performed at several events around the area (Rolla, Springfield, and St James).
In October we provided a piper to commemorate the Battle of Kings Mountain at the Veterans Memorial Park in Rolla and set up a recruiting booth for the 3rd annual Ozark Mountain Games in Springfield.
In November we provided a Piper to the Veterans Memorial Park for 100 Years of Remembrance and for Veterans Day. We also provided a Piper for the Veterans Home in St. James and a Piper for the Veterans Cemetery in Springfield.
In December we will also provide Piper support for Pearl Harbor Day.
—Mike Gibbens, PC. mike3517@hotmail.com
Post 1836, San Antonio, TX
—Mike Canion, PC, mikecanion@gmail.com
Post 1845, Ft Worth / Dallas
—Thomas J. Duncan, PC. duncan163@gmail.com
Post 1846, State of Iowa
—TO BE DETERMINED PC