THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF T H E C L A N The Defender K I N C A I D ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL THE DEFENDER I S S U E 9 5 – D E C 2 0 1 8 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: The Chief’s Column — Madam Arabella Kincaid of Kincaid Chief’s Column 2 continued Fellow Kincaids, Kinsfolk, Friends, President’s 3 It’s Christmas time again. A joy! In the very midst of all the on-going turmoil Message in Britain over Brexit, Climate Change and Global Politics it is time to celebrate the incarnation and reflect once again on the common ground on which we stand. The 2019 Gathering 4 Christmas nativity school play is always one of the highlights of my December and this Schedule, Accom- Wednesday I will be at Kalula’s (now 9 years old) school for this very occasion, fol- modations lowed by singing carols and a jolly festive evening before the Christmas holidays Membership Re- 5 begin. I love the way small children bring truths we know so well to life again and so newal Reminder! often the beautiful young angels with their tinsel wings and shepherds with their tea towels on their heads bring a tear to our eyes! I wanted to share a sweet Christmas This and That– 5 story I heard of a seven year old child drawing a picture of the nativity. The picture Kincaid was very good, including Mary, Joseph and of course, baby Jesus. However, there was a fat man standing in the corner of the stable that just did not seem to fit in. 6 Clan Kincaid When the child was asked about it, she replied, ‘Oh, that’s Round John Virgin.’! Gathering Golf Shirt Special We will be thinking of Kincaids everywhere as we all gather at home for Christ- Communication 7 mas in the next few days as schools and universities break up. Then the fun begins, Director Greeting & Gathering the parties, the shopping and decorating and cooking and baking and perhaps a Gratitude Christmas Quiz… I have just learned that St Nicholas (fore-runner of Santa Claus as we all know) was a fourth century Christian bishop who gave away his abundant in- WANTED—Piper 7 and Orator! heritance to help the needy and rescued women from servitude! Extraordinary to think that his benevolence hundreds of years ago became the starting point for an Board Members 8 annual global phenomenon. Surely an encouragement to us all to keep on with the & Commissioners seemingly small kindnesses; who knows where they will lead over time. Wee Shopper 9 Order Form Being 2018 we, in the UK, have had a year of commemorating the end of the Great War exactly 100 years ago. Kalula has just been working on projects to do with Wee Shopper 10 both the First and Second World War. Although it sounds so long ago it really is al- Catalog most within touching distance… My Kincaid-Lennox great grandmother’s only broth- er, Colin Donald, was tragically killed in action in July of 1918 in France. Almost every- one over here in Britain has a family member not so far back who gave their life in the cause of freedom from tyranny - but we would not and could not have managed it without our American friends coming to join us in pursuit of this end. Of course, in this regard, the same was true of the Second World War. One Thomas Cassin Kinkaid P A G E 2 served in both World Wars; firstly in WW1 as a naval attaché in London working with the British Admiralty, and in the Second World War he served in the Pacific rising to the rank of Admiral. He was clearly a man of outstanding and upright character. “The annals of war at sea present no more intense, heart-shaking shock than these two battles (Coral Sea and Midway) in which the qualities of the United States Navy and Air Force and of the American race shone forth in splendour. The novel and hitherto utterly unmeasured conditions which air warfare had created made the speed of action and the twists of fortune more intense than has ever been witnessed before. But the bravery and self-devotion of the American airmen and sailors and the nerve and skill of their leaders were the foundation of all.” Taken from The Second World War, Winston S. Churchill, Volume IV – The Hinge of Fate, Lon- don, 1951, page 216. Admiral Kinkaid was one of those Leaders. Samuel Marcus Kinkead, who Bill Kincaid dedicates a whole chapter to in ‘This I’ll De- fend’, was an outstanding Pilot in the First World. He was decorated multiple times for his gal- lantry bravery and skill and known for being keen, plucky, excellent, brilliant…. Undoubtedly many more Kincaids have served bravely and selflessly and equally brilliantly throughout the World Wars and since then also. We will remember them with deep gratitude and profound respect. We live in the freedom they gave their very lives for. On a different and brighter note altogether and with 2019 just around the corner we have a Clan Gathering to look forward to! Hearty thanks and much appreciation go to James Brisbin and Hugh Kincaid for taking on the herculean task of organising a wonderful few days for us all at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, and Gathering of Scottish Clans in July. I have heard so much about the Games from a number of people and it has all been very good! The Torchlight Ceremony to open the Games with a living cross of light recognising the Saltire Cross as Scotland’s ancient symbol sounds quite breath-taking and that is just the beginning of what looks to be a really wonderful few days. We, as a family, are all looking forward to being able to celebrate our shared heritage and bonds of kinship together very much indeed! Wishing you all a blessed and peaceful Christmas. Arabella. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. Isaiah 9:6. THE DEFENDER P A G E 3 A Message from the President The year 2018 has been a very successful and rewarding year for Clan Kincaid, with many thanks to our supportive team. Our esteemed Clan Chief, Madam Arabella Kincaid of Kincaid, continues to lead Clan Kincaid with her steadfast and loyal support in all our activities and accomplishments. Our thanks to the Board of Officers, who have fulfilled their duties in an efficient and professional manner. Our Commissioners have admirably represented Clan Kincaid at Highland Games throughout the United States and Canada, while receiving awards, continuing to recruit new members, build our membership and work with our Membership Secretary. We appreciate the guidance of both our Advisory Council and Legal Advisor. Our webmaster continues to provide us with a very professional website. Our Communications Director provides us with an exemplary newsletter in The Defender. Our clan has a top team, of which we can all be proud. We look forward to the year 2019, which will feature a major event—our Gathering at Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina, USA. The year 2019 will also be an election year for Clan Kincaid. Board of Officers to be elected: President (Incumbent David Kincaid) Membership Secretary (Incumbent Donna Knauss) Secretary (Incumbent Linda Hoskins) Treasurer (Incumbent Christopher Kinkead) Communications Director (Incumbent Emily Silversparre) Wee Shopper Manager (Incumbent Rick Kincaid) Chief Commissioner (Incumbent: Karen Davis) Term of Office: Newly elected officers will serve a term of three years beginning 1 January 2020. Those Eligible to vote: Any Clan Member in good standing by 1 June 2019 will be eligible to vote. The Membership Secretary will identify those Clan members eligible to vote in the election. Application Procedures: 1. Letter of Intent: Potential additional candidates who wish to be placed on the ballot must submit a letter of intent for a specific position. The Letter of Intent shall include a personal biography and statement of their goals if elected. Letters of intent shall be limited to 500 words and shall be deemed to be public domain and authorized for publication in The Defender newsletter and on the Clan Kincaid website. 2. Letter of Intent Due Date: Clan members must submit their Letter of Intent to the Secretary of the Association no later than 1 May 2019. Letters arriving later than 11:59 PM, 1 May 2019 will not be accepted. 3. Ballots Provided the Clan Membership: Ballots with Letters of Intent and voting instructions will be provided to the Clan Mem- bership in the June 2019 issue of The Defender newsletter. - Completed Ballots must be sent to the designated election individual (to be announced) no later than 1 September 2019; however, ballots arriving between 1 and 15 September bearing a 1 September 2019 postmark will be counted. - Any ballot arriving after 15 September 2019 will not be counted. 4. New Board Member Announcement: The Clan Kincaid President will announce the new Clan Kincaid Board of Officers in the December 2019 issue of The Defender newsletter. Warm wishes to all for a most joyous and blessed Christmas holiday, surrounded by family and friends and with thankful prayers for a safe and healthy New Year 2019. Slainte Mhath/(slan ju vah), David Kincaid, Clan Kincaid President (M-73) THE DEFENDER P A G E 4 The Clan Kincaid Gathering 2019 - Grandfather Mountain, Boone NC USA “Come One – Come All” The “Highlands” of western North Carolina beckon to all clans and especially Clan Kincaid this coming July 11-14 for the 64th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.