NOTES FROM PIPEY'S CORNER

Volume X Number 4 - October, 2002

BUT NOW IT'S PRETTY MUCH OVAH

- for this year, anyway. October is upon us; the Angus MacDonald Western Regional Championship will be in San Diego on the 12th, and I encourage everyone in SoCal to attend. This year looks to have a good turnout of competitors, including the Ol' Pirate himself. No serape or black flags this time, just some really good playing. Jack Lee will be judging, and will give a recital as well. This is the fourth year that Bydand Forever has sponsored this event, along with The Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band and the USPF.

As it is a qualifyer for the USPF competition next year, this should be regarded as a MAJOR competition. This is the only Left Coast competition of its kind outside of the BC Pipers Knockout, so I hope that a few more entrants will be there than last year. Once again we've shot them some much-deserved money to help defray costs; the more turnout at this contest, the better for top-grade piping out here.

Once again the children on RMMB are acting up; it seems there's no end to their drug- and alcohol-fueled mudslinging. This demeans piping, it demeans the internet, and, of course - themselves. But are these people mature enough to realise this? Can they honestly believe that anyone of note in the piping world will take them seriously with their ridiculous claims and insults?

NOT. It's unfortunate that there's no 'Internet Asylum' with electronic men in white coats and straitjackets in their paws for some of these cretins.

Arlington WAS hard - the ritual is impressive. Four grey horses, the Marine Band from the Washington barracks, and a full platoon honour guard. It's just too bad he couldn't be there to enjoy it.

Impressions - 19 Sept. 2002, Arlington, Va. The red coats and white frogging on the President's band; the buttons gleaming in the grey morning light. Mourning bands on the left sleeves. The light glints off the swords of the sergeants and officers. The bayonets shimmer.

Bump- ba-da-da-da-dum - barrrrump-bump-a-dum the drum cadence repeats every eight steps 'Onward Christian Soldiers' and 'The Marines Hymn'. Formed up at Peary's grave - moving down Pershing Avenue - the two Marines on traffic duty salute as the cortege passes by. A hawk flies over the caisson as we pass Pershing's grave. Thousands of mute witnesses bow their heads as a comrade goes to his rest.

The two bearers caress the ashes and the flag as they remove them from the caisson; in step they slowly cross the field of markers as the band plays in slow time. The Naval chaplain reads from the psalms - 23 and 121. The guard Presents; the volleys fire, and 'Taps' echoes across the garden of stone. Compassion on the face of the captain presenting the flag, looking like it was his brother in the box. Wife Ann and daughter Kathie stone faced in shock; Mother drinking it all in, amazed at the precision, the pageantry, and the pain

My brother is buried under a juniper - our plant badge for Clan Murray.

THE LAST MILE

I walked the last mile with my brother today

In the garden of stone.

On a caisson drawn by horses grey

He rode alone.

Drum beats echoed hollow in the air

As iron shod hooves rang on the pavement.

A platoon his escort

To take him home in Arlington,

Where a century of heroes lie row on row

Their duty done.

The Honour guard carried him lovingly

For brother he is to all those there interred.

Amid presidents, astronauts, explorers and heroes

He takes a place well deserved.

The prayers are said; the volleys fired

And the flag is folded

Carefully, never to be unfurled.

Rest well weary soldier, now and forever;

The Corps has called you home.

Rest well, my brother.

Iain Sherwood, September 19, 2002, MacLean, Virginia

In Memoriam: Charles Sherwood III, Captain, USMC, 1941-2002; Vietnam 1965-66; Bronze Star with V; Purple heart w/ Oak Leaf cluster

No finer Marine ever walked the earth

BLACK PART SPEAKS - with results RIGHT after the Angus MacDonald!