Kilts in Inauguration Parade

[Downix]

DVR'd CSPAN ftw!

[TNKiltedWolf]

Thanks for the info all! It was the Cleveland Firefighters that I initially saw which was the initiation for the post. I later did see the U.S. Border Patrol and was also very impressed by their tartan. I didn't ever see VMI with their Pipe and Drum Corp, perhaps it will be rebroadcast or available on Youtube!

Aaron

[muirkirkca]

Being retired, I was able to watch most of the parade. I saw the first pipe band on CNN and they then immediately cut to a small insert picture and continued to blather for the remainder of the parade. I would have liked to have seen all groups fully visible and identified ( I like parades ). I am sure most if not all of the groups contributed to this marvelous event in their own way. I felt there was too much self absorptive comment by the various media types.

[Malachi]

The Pipe Major that nodded and waved at President Obama was suspended after the band returned home for conduct unbecoming in a military parade.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/01/27/ina...on.drum.major/

[EagleJCS]

The Pipe Major that nodded and waved at President Obama was suspended after the band returned home for conduct unbecoming in a military parade.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/01/27/ina...on.drum.major/

Actually, he was the Drum Major (of the Cleveland Firefighter's Memorial Pipes & Drums). There has been a big dicussion on the Bob Dunsire forum about this.

Apparently, only military units (Armed Forces) were supposed to salute/nod/recognize the reviewing stand. Civilian units were instructed by the organizers to do nothing, just walk by.

The DM in question has reportedly resigned from the organization, and the band's web site has been taken down due to all of the negative reaction (including threats against the membership). From one of the forum posts: "They have had to close their web-site and guestbook, their myspace and facebook pages, dropped all postings of their e-mails addresses and someone posted individual phone numbers and cell phone numbers of band officers. Prior to turning off the web-site, people began getting the names off of the roster and calling the fire houses where they work to harass and threaten them.

Members have been receiving threatening, obscene and vile phone calls and e-mails ... "

I'm not going to comment on the actions of the DM, the PM, or anything else connected with the band. This was just clarification.

On topic: It was nice to see there were pipe bands in the parade (the US Border Patrol and VMI also had their bands there) representing those of us with (presumed) Scottish heritage. Hopefully, we'll see more/better coverage of pipe bands and kilt-wearin' folks as they become more commonplace in the US (instead of being shown as an oddity or sideshow-type occasion).

[just4fun63]

You know it looks like a lot of overreaction to a small thing
(OMG people overacting and making a big thing out of nothing I can't believe it!!!)

What I saw was a small head turn and a blink, If that was all he did what's the big deal? Maybe I'm missing something here.

[george7]

My girlfriend was at the Campaign Staff ball and saw 3 kilties. I couldn't get time off to attend or there would have been 4.

[TNKiltedWolf]

I just found the link to the video and was going to post it as well. I find it hard to believe that the DM would be suspended for six months for acknowledging the President, who was acknowledging him as he led the band by the grandstand. Seems a little blown out of proportion to me.

I was however, greatly pleased to see two of the three bands (missed VMI) in the telecast version of the parade.

[beloitpiper]

I heard about the DM this morning. It's totally crazy that they're getting threats and he had to resign. As they say back in Galway "It's a d@m# shame..."

[Phogfan86]

I understand now that there were rules in place as to who should and should not acknowledge the President; however, if the President were to acknowledge me in any venue, I'd find it far more disrespectful to not acknowledge him back than to ignore him as I'd been instructed.