Independence Day Parade, Redwood City, CA

**longhuntr74** · 5th July 11, 08:57 PM

Many of you likely saw my previous thread entitled I'm So Ashamed where I admitted that I had ordered a pair of white kilt hose.

Well Independence Day was yesterday and I received the links to the pictures taken during the parade today and figured I'd share them with the masses so you can see how good I look in white kilt hose!! This was my first event with the group and I had a great time meeting a bunch of proud and decorated veterans.

I'm only posting a couple of pics, but if you wish to view the whole album, you can click here. I believe it's public so there shouldn't be any access problems.

For those of you that can't pick me out of a crowd immediately based on my rugged good looks, I'm the YOUNG strapping lad carrying the Saltire!

PS...just viewed these pics in large form for the first time when I hit preview post...based on the pics, I'd say we did a pretty good job of staying in step!

**mookien** · 5th July 11, 09:50 PM

You all look absolutely smashing! ... as well as synchronized. I like the white hose.

**BKPowell** · 5th July 11, 09:54 PM

We need these lads in the Cherry Days Parade. Thanks for sharing.

**Downunder Kilt** · 5th July 11, 10:14 PM

Sterling effort longhuntr74 and thanks for the pics and the link. Did you have any success in persuading the group to go with the diced/argyll next year?

BTW you do all appear to be in fine step, well done

**longhuntr74** · 5th July 11, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

Sterling effort longhuntr74 and thanks for the pics and the link. Did you have any success in persuading the group to go with the diced/argyll next year?

BTW you do all appear to be in fine step, well done

Not to sound like a kilt snob...but after seeing some (ok...most) of the kilts being worn by my fellow post members, I think that I need to be focusing on convincing them to get legitimate kilts first before we worry about white vs. diced hose (though, on that note, had I had foresight and about $100 bucks, I could have picked up at least 10 pair of diced black and red half hose at a recent games).

The kilts were my biggest disappointment of the day. Over half of the guys I marched with were wearing "casual kilts" made of very thin material with very wide pleats and no stitched fell. The good news is that one of my fellow Army guys who fit into that category saw my kilt and proclaimed that he NEEDED to get a kilt JUST LIKE MINE....complete with my rosettes. I mentioned to him that I do sew kilts. I'm taking my tape measure to the next games to do some measurements. I just hope that he doesn't get sticker shock as we discuss prices. I can and will make him a kilt...and I'm willing to do it for a very reasonable price...but I'm not willing to do it for free, so to speak. I'm sure you understand, since you're a member on this forum, how much work goes into sewing a kilt.

**Downunder Kilt** · 5th July 11, 10:52 PM

longhuntr74, you are absolutely spot on, kilts first, then the other things later. Obviously your presentation encourage one of the members to rethink his own, hopefully it will grow within the post. Wishing you all the best.

**Spartan Tartan** · 6th July 11, 03:54 AM

Longhuntr74,
I was initially reluctant to mention kilt quality...but since you brought it up

I noticed that some of the kilts were blowing around more and the pleats didn't look as sharp. Especially the picture from the rear. I was wondering about the quality of the kilts as compare to yours...but you answered my question before I asked. Although, given a good deal I still bet you can win the hose battle before the kilt one...a quality hand sewn kilt is, as you know, a Tad more expensive than some hose.

Btw, what tartan was the guy carrying the folded American flag wearing?

**longhuntr74** · 6th July 11, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan

Longhuntr74,
I was initially reluctant to mention kilt quality...but since you brought it up

I noticed that some of the kilts were blowing around more and the pleats didn't look as sharp. Especially the picture from the rear. I was wondering about the quality of the kilts as compare to yours...but you answered my question before I asked. Although, given a good deal I still bet you can win the hose battle before the kilt one...a quality hand sewn kilt is, as you know, a Tad more expensive than some hose.

Btw, what tartan was the guy carrying the folded American flag wearing?

No biggie on the "criticism"...I'm well aware. I'll do what I can in the time that I'm here...but as with anything, we all have our priorities and price points. It should also be noted that I will only be a member of this group for a year (I'll be leaving after my graduation next summer) and they all know that. They are excited and eager to have a new "young guy" to help out the "old farts"...but I'm temporary help at best.

Regarding the kilt...that is our current post commander. I didn't ask him, but I am pretty sure that the purple tartan is the "Warrior Tartan." Not sure where he got it from, but it appeared to be a good quality machine-sewn kilt. I know that Rocky makes them, but I don't think he does machine-sewn 8 yarders, so I don't think that this is one of his. Perhaps Josh or even SWK (did they/do they carry that tartan?)