A Wee Comment from the President Tartan Day 2002 Dear Raymond, It is hard to believe that last year at this time I was Thank you so much for attending the Tartan Day in Scotland. Although it very early to remind you all celebrations on behalf of Clan Hunter as well as I would just like to put in a wee plug for the Clan Muirhead. My congratulations on attaining a International gathering of the Clan Muirhead and membership of the William Wallace Society. It was Clan Hunter in Scotland 2004. I hope a few of you very well deserved in view of all your work on will be able to attend and I know its early but it behalf of your Scottish Ancestry and you efforts for gives us all at least time to dream on this your Clan in getting it recognized and visible. momentous event. More on this Event will be in latter newsletters. Yours aye, Madam Pauline <Insert Wallace Cert Pic> Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston and of that Ilk, Clan Chief and 30th Laird May 30, 2002 Raymond L. Morehead Esq. FSA Scot. President of the Muirhead Clan Society has been awarded a VP's report on Tartan Day Event 2002 membership in the Society of William Wallace, Scotland. He was notified by letter and certificate, received May 29, 2002. This honor was in Good day to all, recognition for his discovery of a copy of Documents Illustrative of Sir William Wallace, His Life and Times, Presented to The Maitland Club by Tartan Day 2002 Saturday April 6 The Good Lord Robert Rodger. Dated 1841. Of which no known was smiling down upon us as it was not cold and translation has been found to date. hardly rained at all. We even had some sunshine when we needed it (In time for the Parade of He purchased the copy from a used book store Clans) the setup went smoothly except for a while researching his own Scottish ancestors, of shortage of tables. But Raymond and myself made which one James Patrick Muirhead, Esq. Was a go of it. We were able to condense our display listed as a member of the Maitland Club and then down to one table. made two copies one in which he kept for the Muirhead Clan Society and the other he sent to What a great group of people. At 9:00 A.M. We Harry McAlister of Scottish Connections, Inc. Who began with the Color Guard Precessions. Joining then sent it to the Society of William Wallace in them were some Scouts, Some patriotic music and Scotland, of which Harry McAlister is a member. songs. From that point we were blessed by several The original copy purchased, was gifted and sent Pipe and Drum Bands throughout the day. to the Clan Wallace Society USA. In hopes that a translation can be made and helps shed further light on the life and times of Sir William Wallace, This was my first public gathering where I was able Scotland’s greatest Patriot, Guardian and Hero. to meet some members and acquaintances of Clan Muirhead. Our clan Data Base Technician stopped Raymond was offered to be paid for the copy at by to say Hi, Thanks Susan. Sandie and Jerimy one point, but declined, as he said at the time of were there all day to lend a hand if needed and the offer he did not consider it his to sell or profit promote the sword and shield business "House of from and intended it as a gift back to the Wallace’s The Crescent moon" They also donated a sword who he thought the rightful owners and who he for the raffle which was held at the end of the day. hoped it would benefit the most. Also a big Hello to John Staley who I've met before Raymond is honored to accept the gift of at Highland Games but is always a pleasure to membership in the Society of William Wallace of speak to. And his sister (a new member) Martha Scotland a non-political organization dedicated to Van Sickle. We also had the pleasure to visit with upholding the memory of the man, his some potential Hunter Clansman from Port achievements and his selfless devotion for the Townsend who where thrilled that the Hunter Clan cause of freedom for every individual Scot and for had some representation at this event and his or her country. upcoming events. I had lots of questions about my kilt. Some knew that the parade was tomorrow, others looked as if they had never seen one before, those were the I look forward to meeting any of our Clan Members ones I liked best. We also saw the lights. They or Friends who would like to stop by and say "Aye" have set up something like 88 lights in two giant circles with very powerful high-intensity Xenon Charles D. Morehead, Vice President Clan bulbs, pointed directly up into sky. I suppose, had Muirhead the circumstances been better (I had forgotten to pack a jacket and my Glasgow Celtic football kit was none too insulating) I would have been more National Tartan Day Pipefest 2002 moved. What was moving where all the signs and patches and all sorts of other mementos from all over the world, that people had left in ad hoc By Jeremy Wright Member, Volunteer memorials all over the area down there. That is Representative in New York really what one should see. <Insert Picture> So, the next day was Tartan Day. Pipefest 2002. The Big Scottish Shindig. Well, that is what I Greetings. This is a report for you about Tartan thought it would be. We met the organization Clans Day, April 6th , 2002. So my fiancée` and drove of Scotland, who we would be marching with, at down to New York City on Friday. We got down 11:00 at the NY Public Library… all seven of them. there in the afternoon and settled into our hotel. I Okay, so we weren't they biggest group marching wore my kilt the whole day, which was quite fun. A in the parade, we had spirit right. Really, we did. few people that were staying in the hotel w/us were We took pictures and video of such and us then we also marching in the parade. One of them was the headed off to our stepping off point. A quick new Drum Major for Simon Fraser University's pipe sidebar, the library was a popular place, there were band. His sister from Scotland was visiting him in many pipebands forming up there. We got to our Vancouver where he lives and they were here in spot and ate a late breakfast, and then we waited. NY. Quite a trip. He is also an adjudicator of drum And waited. And waited. They wanted us to be in majors also so he inspected my outfit and gave me position for the parade at 12:00. We were. The the 3rd degree. I didn't know that I looked so bad. parade kicked off at 2:00. It was rather cold and But then, I talked to other people and everyone windy, and it SNOWED! It wasn't so bad because said something different regarding how this or that Kelly and I had the smarts to go and buy a jacket should look. for myself. After getting properly kitted-out, Kelly and I walked There we stood. It was blustery, and as anyone to the subway and headed downtown. She wanted who has ever been to NY in the fall or winter to go down to the World Trade Center site. We knows, with all those skyscrapers, it is one big went down later in the day when it was getting dark windtunnel. People were buying small fries at because they have the Memorial Lights, which are Burger King just to use the loo or get warm. It a bunch of lights set in two rings. They are very wasn't all-bad. The people were all very nice and it bright. Appropriately enough, it was rather cold that afforded me the opportunity to get some signatures night and the wind chill made it much colder. We for the flag. I got quite a few, but not as many as I found the site. It is something to see. Even at 8:30 would have liked. I think the people who from at night, in such weather, the activity surrounding farthest away who signed it were from a piper and the area was non-stop. The workers, the cops, the drummer from Normandy, France. We even got tourists, the vendors. They had high fences up one of our local police departments. I live near around the site so you couldn't really see too well. Albany and they happened to be lining up near us. You could sneak glimpses in through holes or at That was a cool coincidence. joints, but what you saw was, well, a pit. Literally a pit. Interesting subtext that. What was also We met a band from Chicago, were we have interesting to see was the fact that you were able friends, so we talked about that. We had an NYPD to see the damage done to the surrounding officer sign the flag. I believe he was quite buildings. Barriers to protect them from any other surprised, even a little pleased. I think the person stuff shielded them, but like the actual collapse who impressed me most who signed the flag was a site, you could peak through and see.