Happy 248

**kilted redleg** · 14th June 23, 08:55 AM

To all my US Army veteran kin who make up the rabble today is our day HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !! We're 248 years young ! On this day in 1775 the very infant Congress of the US told general George Washington to "go find us an army." So let's raise a glass to those who've gone before us and to the ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep that torch called freedom lite, and let's raise a glass to our allies who have stood with us in the world's darkest hours.

Happy Anniversary !!!!!

**stickman** · 14th June 23, 04:17 PM

Thanks for the reminder, I am pouring a big dram. I will toast my old outfit, D co 187th Btl grp 101st Abn Div.

**Silmakhor** · 15th June 23, 03:35 AM

Originally Posted by stickman

Thanks for the reminder, I am pouring a big dram. I will toast my old outfit, D co 187th Btl grp 101st Abn Div.

I'd always assumed your forum name was a reference to Airborne service?

**stickman** · 15th June 23, 05:50 AM

That was not the only reason. As a hobby I made walking sticks with carved handles. The last one I made was a request for a cows head. It is now on its way to Mexico. It took me about a month to get it done to my satisfaction. Unfortunately my hands are getting bad, can’t play the pipes anymore and now I have a hard time holding a carving knife. Getting old is a bear. Sure miss playing the pipes.

**Silmakhor** · 16th June 23, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by stickman

That was not the only reason. As a hobby I made walking sticks with carved handles. The last one I made was a request for a cows head. It is now on its way to Mexico. It took me about a month to get it done to my satisfaction. Unfortunately my hands are getting bad, can’t play the pipes anymore and now I have a hard time holding a carving knife. Getting old is a bear. Sure miss playing the pipes.

Sorry to hear that!

I played pipes competitively up until college, but couldn't really pursue it after that. So I've been playing Irish music for decades (which I love just as much.) But I just got a set of smallpipes a few months ago and I *love* them in a way that I can't capture with my wooden flute or uilleann pipes. Going to keep that going as long as I can.

**stickman** · 17th June 23, 05:26 AM

I have been trying to make my own small pipes. (Since at my age I can’t justify the expense).Have the pipes chanter and bag made, just don’t have the energy to finish them. Had two CT scans yesterday and will get the results on Monday. I suspect my cancer is back, hope I’m wrong. But that’s off the topic. My grand nephew is a grade 1 piper and also plays small pipes. I love how they sound. Probably wouldn’t sound near as good if I was playing them. At 84 my fingers don’t work that fast anymore. By the way what made you think stickman was a reference to airborne.