FORSYTH NOTES June 15, 2003 Welcome to the fiftieth issue of Forsyth Notes . Forsyth Notes is published bi-monthly by Clan Forsyth Society of the USA, and is your e-link to your extended Forsyth family. We leave Wednesday, June 18 th, on the 2003 Clan Forsyth of the USA Reunion, and will not return to the USA until Wednesday, July 2 nd . The next issue of Forsyth Notes will be distributed July 15, 2003. Have a great Fourth of July. Flowers of the Forest Our Clan Society was saddened by the death of our principal founder and former head of Clan Forsyth Society of the USA, Lt.Col. Thomas M. Forsyth, Jr. Col. Forsyth passed away on May 1, 2003. He was present in Scotland when Chief Alistair was invested, but refused appointment as Chief’s Commissioner due to his health. Col. Forsyth was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery Wednesday, June 4, 2003. The Memorial service included a platoon of Marines, the Marine Corps Band, and a twenty-one gun salute! This was all very fitting for a war veteran of Col. Forsyth's caliber. We extend our sincere sympathies to Col. Tom Forsyth’s family. The following obituary appeared in the Washington Post: MOUNTAIN HOME - Lt. Col. Thomas Marshall Forsyth, Jr., 86, Mountain Home, died on Thursday, May 1, 2003, in the Nursing Home Care of the James H. Quillien VA Medical Center. A native of Baltimore Maryland, he was the son of Evelyn Randolph Meade and Thomas Marshall Forsyth, Sr. Col. Forsyth received his Master’s degree from William & Mary College and served in the Marine Corps for twenty two years, retiring in 1961. Col. Forsyth served in World War II as an attack fighter pilot, and was one of the most highly decorated pilots in the Marine Corps. He also served four tours of duty in Korea, flying in the same squadron as now retired Senator and astronaut, John Glenn. Col. Forsyth was also responsible for influencing and guiding Thomas (Ken) Mattingly (Rear Admril. US Navy, retired) in becoming an Astronaut. Admril Mattingly was the astronaut responsible for guiding the Apollo 13 crew safely back to Earth. After having faithfully served his country, Col. Forsyth moved to Boca Raton, Florida, where he formed his insurance and real estate business, Forsyth Associates. He retired in 1987. Col. Forsyth was an Episcopalian and had lived in Johnson City (Tennessee) since 1997. In addition to his parents, Col. Forsyth was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Forsyth. Survivors include two sons, David Forsyth of Los Angeles, CA, and John Forsyth of Sarasota, FL; a sister, Ann Rechter of Virginia; and a granddaughter, Ashley Forsyth of San Jose, CA. Private services will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION. Words of sympathy may be sent to the family via email at [email protected] or care of the TETRICK Funeral home, P.O. Box 5142 Johnson City, TN. 37604-5142. Clan Forsyth Annual General Meeting The 2003 Clan Forsyth Society of the USA Annual General Meeting will be held Saturday, July 12, 2003, at the Clan Forsyth host tent at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in Linville, North Carolina. President Dale Forsyth Sandusky will be present and presiding over the meeting. All members of Clan Forsyth Society are invited to attend. Clan Forsyth at National Competitions President Dale’s granddaughter, Charei Rosenvall, placed 1st runner-up in her division (through age 13) in the Highland Dance competition at the Northwestern Nationals in Washington, missing the championship by only a fraction of point. Charei is twelve years old, and has been dancing since she was four. She will be representing Clan Forsyth Society at the Highland Dancing USA Nationals at Grandfather Mountain, and will be competing in the finals in the USA National competition on Saturday, and in the Grandfather Mountain championship on Sunday. You may send your best wishes for a great competition to Charei at the following address: Charei R. Rosenvall, 4336 South 3150 West, West Valley City, Utah 84119-5856. We understand that Charei is one terrific dancer, and a true credit to our Society. We wish her luck in the competition. INTERNATIONAL TARTAN DAY ––– July 1st July 1st sees the 221st anniversary of the repealing of the Act of Parliament (British) that made it punishable with SEVEN YEARS TRANSPORTATION for wearing the TARTAN. Below is reprinted the Act of Proscription (1747) and the Repeal Proclamation of 1782. That is almost two generations where the TARTAN, Pipes, etc. were not a normal part of life in Scotland. THE ACT That from and after the First Day of August 1747, no man or boy within that part of Great Britain called Scotland, other than such as shall be employed as Officers and Soldiers of His Majesty's Forces, shall on any pretext whatsoever, wear or put on the clothes, commonly called Highland clothes (that is to say) the Plaid, Philabeg, or little kilt, Trowes, Shoulder-Belts, or any part whatever of what peculiarly belongs to the Highland Garb; and that no tartan or party-coloured plaid or stuff shall be used for Great coats or upper coats, and if any such person shall presume after the first said day of August, to wear or put on the aforesaid garments or any part of them, every person so offending.... shall be liable to be transported to any of His Majesty's plantations beyond the seas, there to remain for the space of seven years. THE REPEAL The Government obtaining the King’s assent on 1st July 1782 repealed the Act of Abolition. In the North, there was great rejoicing. A proclamation was issued in Gaelic and English which announced as follows: Listen Men. This is bringing before all the Sons of the Gael, the King and Parliament of Britain have forever abolished the act against the Highland Dress; which came down to the Clans from the beginning of the world to the year 1746. This must bring great joy to every Highland Heart. You are no longer bound down to the unmanly dress of the Lowlander. This is declaring to every Man, young and old, simple and gentle, that they may after this put on and wear the Truis, the Little Kilt, the Coat, and the Striped Hose, as also the Belted Plaid, without fear of the Law of the Realm or the spite of the enemies. On July 1, 2003, as many Scots and their descendants as possible are encouraged to wear something TARTAN. Let us not forget our Scottish heritage that is far more ancient than the English, and is second to none when it comes to respect for land rights, empathy for the land, and a strong, unshakable system of kinship. Let Us Pause to Reflect June 24th is celebrated as Scotch and Scotch-Irish Heritage Day in the state of Tennessee. In 1995, Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist signed legislation declaring this special day on the anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 and in memory of all the Scots who have made Tennessee such a great state. The original Proclamation read: Whereas, on June 24, 1314, Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, defeated the English in the “Battle of Bannockburn”, which resulted in the sovereignty of Scotland being recognized and acknowledged by England; and Whereas, it was “The Land Clearance” after the failure of “The Rising of 1745” that caused thousands of people to leave Scotland; and Whereas, some Scottish immigrants came directly to this country; and Whereas, others left Scotland and came to Ireland before eventually coming to this country (i.e. Scots-Irish); and Whereas, many Scottish and Scots-Irish people settled in our State because areas such as our Tennessee mountains reminded them of their beloved highlands; and Whereas, they brought with them their love of independence, their religion, their crafts, their music and dances, their own colorful expressions, and their friendliness; and Whereas, many of the early leaders in Tennessee history were of Scottish or Scots-Irish descent, including three Presidents; Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson; John Sevier, our first Governor, General James Robertson pioneer settler and founder of Nashville; “Davy” Crockett, member of the State Legislature, pioneer, hunter, member of Congress and hero of the Alamo; and Sam Houston member of Congress, Governor of Tennessee and Governor of Texas; and Whereas, by 1885, one-half of Tennessee’s Governors were of Scottish or Scots-Irish descent; and Whereas, important traces of Scottish and Scots-Irish culture remain with us today; traditions such as Southern hospitality, pride of region, the Southern sense of honor and courtesy, country music and square dancing have their roots in Scotland and Ireland; and Whereas, it is appropriate that a day be set aside to specially recognize and commemorate the tremendous contributions made by people of Scottish and Scots-Irish heritage to the founding and development of Tennessee; now, therefore, I, Don Sundquist, Governor of Tennessee, pursuant to Public Chapter 233 of the Public Acts of 1995 and in conjunction with Representative, Howard Kerr and Senator Carl Koella, do hereby proclaim June 24 of each year as “Scottish, Scots-Irish Heritage Day” and urge all Tennesseans in the observance of the day. Proclaimed in Nashville, this the 20th day of May, 1995. Take a moment to reflect on our mutual Scottish heritage and the effect of this heritage on our great nation. Pause, contemplate, and be very proud! A Wee Bit of Scottish Humor The door bell rang and Jock Forsyth opened the door to see a sharp-eyed stranger in an expensive suit standing on the landing.