A SHOW WE MISSED!

Comrades in Arms: Look what WE missed out on! ***************************** ***************************** SCOTS PLAY TRIBUTE TO TROOPS AT PENTAGON WASHINGTON, D.C. Army News Service Monday 28 September 2009 (Click on each photograph for a larger view.) The cadence of drums and sounds of bagpipes filled the air as the British Army's twenty-one member Scots Guards Pipes and Drums Corps entered the Pentagon courtyard Friday 25 September 2009, to put on a lunchtime show as an expression of admiration by the United Kingdom to the United States of America, its closest ally.  "These soldiers have been in the U.S. for the last month, performing the length and breadth of the United States," announced host, Lieutenant Colonel William Swinton of the British Army, to the large turnout of workers and families. "They are here in Washington to play to you, our strongest allies and to show profound appreciation for the alliance we have with our American brothers and sisters in arms." Made up of eight bagpipers, seven drummers and four sword dancers led by a drum major, the all male unit has the distinction of being the oldest infantry battalion in the British Army. Colonel Swinton also told the crowd that the performers were all front line soldiers and not professional musicians. They returned to Britain on Sunday 27 September 2009 to begin training for deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in March where they will work alongside United States Marines. Highlights to the performance included the playing of "God Bless America", the Scottish anthem, "Scotland the Brave", and a spirited traditional Highland sword dance. Leader of the corps, drum major Sergeant Martin Godsman, said playing the Pentagon was an honor and pleasure, but added the tour has been hectic, playing five cities in Colorado, New Hampshire, New York, and the highland games festival in San Francisco, California. "Reception by the American people has been fantastic, especially the highland games. People see all the pipes and drums and then we're just mobbed," he said. "They come up to us, shake our hands and thank us. That's all we need." ***************************** ***************************** This program was put on in the courtyard of the Pentagon, and I think we residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home should have been invited there, don't you? Thank you. John Robert Mallernee Official Bard of Clan Henderson Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C.  20011-8400 NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."