( not all were present at time of photo)
Independence Day 2008 was a spectacular day for Americans. Just 5 miles from my native home in Albemarle County, at Monticello, the President of the United States welcomed 76 new citizens to this country. Our friends in Greater Richmond Pipes & Drums showed their patriotism, and honored the Brandermill community in their parade, and the St. Andrew’s Legion went a few more miles down the road. Countless events across our great nation to herald our birthday as the greatest nation on the planet took place today and thousands of miles away in desert sands, deep treacherous waters, and in mountains, our men and women in uniform have that same spirit and fire in their hearts as those before them did at Concord and Valley Forge, and thence forward.. The Star & Stripes waved, the bands played, and we celebrated our freedom.
Right here in our own area, the St. Andrew’s Legion took part of Families of the Wounded event held out at Mr. Clyde Childress’ estate in Powhatan County. Some of us arrived early in the morning hours, despite our performance was scheduled for much later, there was a compulsion to be there. It was a magnificent site to behold at all the large event tents stood there in place, vendors prepared, and current military personnel and veterans alike, were hard at work setting up for the highly anticipated event to commence at 1:30 PM. By 11:30 AM, the fields around the place began to fill up, and the people came, in droves. We could see the joy in Mr. Childress’s face after seeing all his hard work coming to fruition. Over three thousand people came, and some say the numbers were higher!
All the US Armed Forces were present, but I would be telling a fib, if I said my heart wasn’t swelling with pride at all the US Marine scarlet & gold dominating the area. The Richmond Symphony Orchestra and Choir opened up a spectacular show, and to hear live cannon fire to accompany the 1812 Overture, really made it an event not worth missing. Speakers delivered stirring patriotic messages, and the one speech I found so worthy, was the Marine who delivered his message on the Pledge of Allegiance, on its complete intention, its’ complete true wording and its’ complete true meaning. Men and women stand with pride and say it today, with fervor, that those words will never be taken away from, nor added too.
The air show put on by the P-51 Mustang was awesome, and we’ll never forget the men who brought in the Black Hawk helicopter from the 29th Division stationed out at Sandston.
As far as the Legion’s performance, what can be said, that hasn’t been said before? Awesome,maybe? The band sounded spectacular. Despite the heat, everyone was playing their hearts out and our method of fine tuning we adopted over the last year definitely pays off. The drummers do a fine job with their section and do a great job of communicating with the Pipe Major during performance. I tried my best not to allow myself to get to overwhelmed by all the people and staff who kept acknowledging how much our appearance brought in the numbers.
And….we picked a good number of new recruits. At this rate, I’m painting lil yellow footprints outside our practice location. (Just kiddin) It was amazing how many from the Celtic community, persons we had performed for in the past, and dedicated followers came out to see us and let the Families of the Wounded event be their choice destination for Independence Day. During the performance, it was an honor for us all to present Mr. Clyde Childress with Order of the Cross & Thistle. It makes a Devil Dogs heart swell with pride when he and his fellow Devil Dogs can acknowledge one of our own for their actions in mass. OooooRah Clyde! More on the Order of the Cross and Thistle will appear later, sometime in August 2008.
I know that following this entry, plenty of photos will be added on and posted of the event, so those who could not make it, can see what an amazing event it was.
We honored and celebrated our freedom today, and even more so, we honored those who have brought honor to us all, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives and/or lost limbs or suffered major inflictions fighting for the Red, White & Blue. Freedom isn’t free, it’s bought and paid for with the blood of patriots.
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