Respect for the kilt

[NewKilt]

I was in a gas station a few days ago wearing my Black Watch tartan. As I turned from the counter to leave, an old gentleman, wearing a US Marine Corps jacket and a baseball style cap with the Marine Corps insignia, entered the station. When he saw me he saluted. It was not mockery, but a true salute as though he was approaching a military officer.

As I approached him, I asked, "How are you today," to which he replied, "Just fine, sir." I could tell from his eyes that he was looking at me with admiration. I can only speculate about his life experiences because I did not have time for a conversation. Perhaps he was familiar with the US Marine Corps Pipe and Drum band. Perhaps he recognized the kilt as a garment of battle. Maybe he was a WWII vet that was familiar with the valor of the Highland Regiment.

I will certainly never forget, this brief, but repectful encounter. It serves as a reminder of just how powerful a garment the kilt is.

[Yaish]

Thats awesome. Too bad you didnt have time to get his story - I bet it would have been a good one.

[Robin]

Awesome moment.

Last night we visited my mother(76) and we took her out to a restaurant for dinner.
When I told her I ordered a kilt she told me to wear it with pride and dignity. I was a bit baffled about her respect for the kilt, after all...kilts are not common overhere.
She explained her town was liberated in '45 by Highlanders (Canadian?)

Indeed something to keep in mind when we wear the kilt...regardless of the tartan.

[chasem]

Two great stories. Once again the Kilt can be seen as a powerful symbol.

[Space Moose]

She explained her town was liberated in '45 by Highlanders (Canadian?)

Indeed there were many higlander regiments in the First Canadian Army that liberated The Netherlands. After 4 years of brutal Nazi occupation, in the Winter of 44 (which the Dutch call the Winter of Hunger as 30,000 starved to death), the Canadians waged a 9-month campaign that saw bitter fighting from berm to berm.

When finally liberated, the Dutch welcomed the Canadain soldiers with such warmth and love, that there's been a strong bond between our countries ever since.

Just this past year we had a lot of media coverage of the ceremonies in the Netherlands marking the 60th anniversary of the liberation.

Craig

[macwilkin]

This thread reminds me of my grandfather, may he rest in peace. My grandfather was in the US Army Air Force with the 14th Air Force in the China-Burma-India Theatre of the Second World War. Needless to say, he worked with and saw quite a few British, Australian, Indian, etc. soldiers whilst he was there. He always had a great respect in particular for the Scots, especially the Black Watch, who fought against the Japanese in Burma. In his later years, my grandparents would never miss the performance of the regimental bands that would come to the Sundome in Sun City when they lived in Phoenix. They would always send me a tape and/or a program from the show.

Cheers,

Todd

[Rigged]

I had the same experience a couple of years ago. I was wearing a black workman's Utilikilt and a plain black t-shirt and black work boots, nothing fancy. I was walking with classmate to get some fast-food for lunch.

A fellow crossed our path as we got to the end of the school's driveway. He stopped at attention and gave me a smart salute. I've never been in the military and was too stunned to do anything but to salute back. He seemed satisfied by that and went on his way.

What is the appropriate response in that situation?

[Southern Breeze]

I had a similar experiance just before Veterans Day. While I was playing Taps at the cemetery where my grandfather is buried,I noticed an elderly gentleman across the road saluting. In this case I firmly believe he was saluting for Taps and not the kilt.

[NewKilt]

Rigged,

I think returning the salute was quite appropriate. I returned the salute of the ederly gentleman that I met in the gas station. I am a Navy Vietnam veteran, and technically saluting was only done when in uniform. But personally, I see nothing wrong with a salute as a gesture of respect and acknowlegement whether you were in the military or not.

I certainly felt that the ederly gentleman I encountered deserved a return of his salute.

[Archangel]

Somewhere on the net awhile ago I found an interesting story of women in Dunkirk wearing the kilts left by soldiers. There were some pictures of them wearing them when Dunkirk was taken by the Allies.