Balmorals and Glengarrys

[RB51]

More important than where the poppy is worn, is the fact that we take the time and as much expense as we possibly can afford to buy a poppy, to help and remember all those that allow us the freedoms that we enjoy today.

"Lest we forget."

Amen to that Jock. With so many of our troops on active duty overseas right now, it is double important to remember their sacrifice, and that of those they leave behind.

Laurie

[hvygunner]

I sport an Eagle, Globe, and Anchor on my kilt belt. I have seen others with USMC "kits" (the whole 9 yards, kilt pin, cap badges, belt buckles) and I thought that they carried the whole thing off with proper respect. For myself, the Emblem on the buckle is enough.

[davidlpope]

How many of you own or wear one with your kilt? I know that it's common on these hats to wear your clan crest, etc....but what if you don't have one? Do any of you wear rank, Airborne wings, regimental crests, etc? I'm curious on your thoughts?

I know this is potentially opening up a can of worms and a debate about how military insignia should only be worn on the uniform, etc. I would ask up front that it not get into a debate about proper or improper according to regulations. Please limit your feedback to what you do or have seen done.

I'm a Marine, but do not wear any uniform items (except those authorized under the uniform regs- All Weather Coat, black leather gloves, etc.) with civilian clothing. I have miniature medals which I wear with black tie when the occasion calls for it and a silver "clan-badge" style USMC hat badge that I wear sometimes on my balmoral, if I'm not wearing my actual clan badge. It's one of these: http://www.celticjackalope.com/produ...products_id=60

I do see lots of folks "decked out" at local Highland Games, but in my opinion it seems pretty over the top. Additionally, I think there are a lot of fakers out there who are just looking for attention. I think it's in better taste to be more discreet- a simple badge, a service-connected necktie, etc. than all sorts of berets, patches, gongs, fourrageres, pins, trinkets, do-dads, etc. Then again, that may be the Marine thing coming out...

Cordially,

David

[auld argonian]

In Flanders fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.


....always gets me tearing up...


Best

AA

[Brian K]

That's actually the arms, supporter and crest, ie: the full heraldic achievement, of the United States of America. Although this is worn by members of the United States Army, it isn't unique to the Army in the same way that the Eagle, Globe and Anchor is unique to the United States Marine Corps.

My understanding, from many books, periodicals and websites dealing with heraldry and sundry other topics, is that any citizen of the U.S. may use the arms of our country, whether by themselves, or with the full achievement, as though they were his or her own. Am I remembering this correctly? If I am, I also wonder about the propriety of wearing a badge such as the one available from Alexis Malcom by one who has not served in the U.S. Army. One would, of course, run the risk of someone assuming you are/were a member of said forces and in the wrong place unpleasantries might ensue. Would this be a problem if it were not polished brass or gold plated or would it look too much like Air Force insignia?

I ask only because as someone who technically has no clan affiliation (all my Scottish ancestors are on my mother's side of the family) it would be one more suggestion for a badge for my Balmoral. As someone born on the 4th of July, patriotic themes have always been a natural for me.

Regards,

Brian

[Jock Scot]

If I may chip in here Brian, you do most certainly have a clan connection! Alright it does not come from your father's ancestors, but it does come down your mother's line apparently.You are more connected to Scotland than many; wear your mother's tartan and badge. There is absolutely no question that you should not, if that is what you wish.

[Brian K]

If I may chip in here Brian, you do most certainly have a clan connection! Alright it does not come from your father's ancestors, but it does come down your mother's line apparently.You are more connected to Scotland than many; wear your mother's tartan and badge. There is absolutely no question that you should not, if that is what you wish.

Thanks, Jock, I have always felt that way, but there are so many who seem to feel that clan affiliation is only valid with the correct surname that I have wondered about it a little. My mother's father was a McConnell (MacConnell) which apparently is/was a sept of Clan Donald, which, I suppose might mean it is OK for me to wear a MacDonald cap badge. There is a MacConnell tartan that was registered in the 80s and is a variation of the MacDonald hunting, if I recall correctly.

On the Anderson (her mother, of course) side, the family of the much admired great-grandfather I have mentioned here several times, it seems to be a bit murkier. There is an Anderson tartan (actually many of them) and clan badge, but there is no Anderson chief and I have seen things that have indicated that the Andersons were actually a very large family with various parts as septs of clans Ross or Donald, OR as many unrelated groups who happened to have the same surname. St. Andrew being the patron of Scotland I suppose it would be natural for there to be be many sons of Andrew.

Can anyone sort this out for me?

Sorry, Jeff, I didn't not mean to hijack this thread, but this is where it came up.

Regards,

Brian

[longhuntr74]

Well considering the thread had last been posted on back in October 2009...I'd say it was already dead...you can have the corpse! LOL

[LANCER1562]

I have a tan TOS that I got from Alexis Malcolm and I wear the clan badge that davedove posted pictures of along with the matching kilt pin and buckle on my USAK Army tartan kilt. No pictures yet but I'm working on it.

[n5rmj]

I just ordered my first Balmoral (black wool with a red pom torrie on top) last week. But I have been wearing a Glengarry (also black wool with a red pom torrie on top) for years, long before I got my first kilt. I sport a clan crest badge, which for the last few weeks happens to have been MacLaren, and on veteran's and patriotic holidays I sometimes were minimedals or miniribbons on the side opposite the clan badge, much like others might do on their VFW or American Legion garrison caps. I never wear rank insignia on my bonnet as that is illegal in the US (though I have never seen anyone actually be arrested for it). I don't see much of a point of wearing other kinds of unit or service insignia on my bonnet but that would be less or an issue than rank insignia.

I find the Glengarry easier to tote around and generally more comfortable than a Balmoral, despite the sometimes annoying free-hanging ribbons. But once my Balmoral arrives, I will jock it and wear it around for a couple of weeks. If I like it, I will get a few additional Balmorals in other solid colors to have a better selection for daily wear.

-Mark