Tag Archives: Highland Games

Recent Events, Upcoming Events

4th of July 2022 & VFW #7392

Happy Independence Day!

For a number of years now a few of our now-1859-members have  participated in the Oak Harbor 4th of July parade on Whidbey Island.  We have had the pleasure of joining the VFW #7392 parade unit and connecting with the members of this great veterans hall.  We were well received today by their Commander, and I am hoping to have him as a guest at our tent this coming Saturday at the Skagit Valley Highland Games.

We may have attracted a few new members to #1859 today while at the parade staging grounds.  It’s interesting what happens when you step out in SAMS kit…  There are a lot of good folks who want to know more about Scottish heritage, our clothing and bagpipes, our organization and why we’re participating in a particular event.  So … talk with these folks!  It’s a part of our SAMS purpose statement, and people are interested.

The Commander of SAMS Post #1889, our Region 15 Commander, and I all share similar viewpoints about how we have been approaching our SAMS participation at area Highland Games — and how to improve our presence starting with the 2022 season.  Most importantly, we have wanted to make changes at our outreach tents.  We tried these changes at the recent Tacoma Highland Games and saw considerable results.  We arranged the tent and tables with an open footprint.  Our SAMS members were encouraged to invite everybody in — military, their families and friends, and the general public — everyone!  These guests were smiling and staying longer at the tent, and our SAMS were happy to connect with everyone.  On one day alone we recruited 225% of the new-members usually gained at this event.

This Saturday, July 9th, is the Skagit Valley Highland Games.  This will be the first time SAMS #1859 will be running a tent at a Highland Games.  We plan to build on the successes at the Tacoma Highland Games.  I believe it is possible that we will double our member numbers at this event alone.  When we open up and connect with people it is good for everyone.  In 1859 we work and we play — when we gain members we are better able to connect with past and present military, we can build community, and bring more enjoyment with our activities!

See you at Skagit!
~ Don

Announcement

Pig War Website … LAUNCHED!

WOW — what a year it’s been!

The Founding Members of Pig War held their first meeting 03/14/2021 — yeah, that’s right, Pi Day! (mmm, pie…)  Starting with two, then three, then ten local SAMS members, we’d been planning this and it was finally time.  Our meeting lasted a little over an hour, and we decided to go for it.  We did the work, sent our Petition into the Scottish–American Military Society — requesting recognition as a SAMS Camp — and in July 2021 we were made official!

Since then we’ve continued to do the leg-work to launch our unique unit with a pipe & drum corps at its center — and I tell you, it’s been no small effort!  As 2022 rolled around, and events started happening again — as the Commander of this group, I can tell you — it was as though we had to do the same amount of work all over again.

One week from today we will be operating our first outreach tent at the Skagit Valley Highland Games in Mt. Vernon, WA.  We will be supported by the members of SAMS Post #1889, which is also loaning us their equipment — tent, tables, everything!  We joined them last weekend at the Tacoma Highland Games in Graham, WA.  They had a new approach to arranging and operating their tent — the same we’ve planned to do at Skagit — and it worked great.  Our SAMS had more fun along with the vets and their family members who visited our tent — they seemed to enjoy it better, even staying longer to learn more about SAMS.

Which brings us to today …

I have wanted to see that our website got launched before the Skagit Games.  Of all the jobs I’ve taken on, and hats I’ve worn within Pig War, to get us to this point …. I did this one, too!  12+ hours of work during the last 2 days, I think it’s ready … and, if I do say so myself … there will be more work on it to come, but it’s lookin’ pretty good!

See you at Skagit on the 9th,
Don
Pig War Commander & Pipe Major

PS — Last Sunday our Petition to SAMS was submitted for Post status!