A Patriotic Party
When Mr. Decor retired we were ready to celebrate. I was blessed that my airman came home from every single one of his missions. We decided to go against the average ho-hum series of speeches and put a Scottish twist on things as a nod to his heritage.
His clan motto is “Either Peace or War”. Very befitting the military don’t you think? The actual ceremony was held in a hangar large enough to hold everyone in attendance. Our guests knew they were in for something special when the bagpipes started. The piper was our distant cousin, Scott Gunn, who is a member of the US Air Force Drum, Bugle Corps, and Pipe Band. Scott has played for the president on numerous occasions. (It should be noted that a piped procession is an honor reserved for very few.)
All of Mr. Decor’s family attended. His father, a former Navy man, was presented with an American flag that had been flown over our nations capital.
It was fun that so many of the attendee’s came wearing their plaid. The Fashionista wore her Black Watch kilt, while Sweet Boy and I sported the Gunn dress tartan.
The Reception
Here is a close up of the image I used for the place cards / menu (printed on the back) found in a 1951 cookbook entitled “A World of Good Eating”.
Of course, there was entertainment. Everyone was invited to play the pipes. I now know what Scots wear under their kilts.
Sweet tokens of appreciation included Scottish shortbread and butterscotch candies. They were of course tied up with plaid ribbon.
Happy National Tartan Day!
Laura
What a wonderful posting, Laura. You remember our fallen, brave men and women to the fullest.
The bagpipes really touch my heart. I grew up in a predominately Italian-American household because of my mother, but my father did not have the same ties. He was a veteran of WWII and a military historian with books and magazine articles to his credit. He loved the bagpipes and almost drove my mother crazy playing his bagpipe album at least once a week. When my father passed away, I stated that my father WILL have bagpipes at his funeral. The bagpiper we hired actually had to drive two hours to get to my dad's funeral. It was beautiful and so perfect and my dad would have felt so honored and happy.
I'm going to run back to my blog and post his wartime picture of him in a kilt… all of which was taken in a photography studio in England. (Notice the boots if you make it over there. He was always embarrassed about that part.)
Thank you, Laura.
Have a blessed day!
Karen
Ladybug Creek
This was wonderful! Love the details. Seemed everyone had a wonderful time! I truly appreciate those who serve our Country. It is they and their families that make our Country great!
Loved everything. Didn't know you were so close by. God bless you!
Kathy
What a cool idea. We never thought of that when my husband retired from the military of 21 years of submarine service. But those submarine guys are such pomp and circumstance kind of guys! 🙂
Being Scottish that would have been so much fun!
Great posts, thanks for sharing……
Teri
This is a magnificent post. I enjoyed every single bit of it.
Thanks so much and have a blessed Memorial Day.
What a wonderful celebration for your husband as he ended his military service. Loved all the pictures. What a special time was had by all. Have a wonderful day. Love & blessings from NC!
What a fabulous party. Everything looks so perfect for the very special event this was. Bless you and your family for all the years of service and for our freedom. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Hugs, Marty
I guess I'm going to be sending a lot of kisses today to our military men celebrated on the blogs, sweetpea!! Well, you give that man and kiss and hug from this old lady and thank him profusely for protecting me and my family and my country!
xoxo,
Connie
Happy Memorial Day, Laura! Oh, what a wonderful post! Your hubby is so handsome and how wonderful they could wear their plaids. Looks like a very special celebration and your family is so beautiful! You especially!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Laura, HOW WONDERFUL! The pride in everyone's faces is enough to bring tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for posting this. I loved it.
Kristin
Just fabulous!
Thanks for sharing every detail!
xo xo
It felt 'good' reading your post today. Thank you for sharing with us.
Bagpipes are the most magical of instruments ~ conjuring up emotions and magic and memories.
I enjoyed this post so very much…
Thanks to your wonderful husband for all of the years served.
Have a great Memorial Day!
What an amazing post Laura!! I just loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the way your family celebrates their heritage!! I loveeeeeeee the photos! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
That looks like a wonderful party. I love all the scottish touches you used. Thanks for sharing it!
What a beautiful post. My youngest son is (hopefully) career military. He's been in the Navy since 2000, but he is single parent to two little boys and the military life, as you know, is hard with all the different duty stations. I am very proud of him and all of our men and women who make many more sacrifices than civilians realize serving our country. I love military ceremony, but this year we were able to all be together as a family at our place, enjoying simplicity. God Bless you and yours. Thanks again for sharing your story.
I salute your handsome husband, Laura. What a magnificent way to celebrate his wonderful tenure with our armed forces.
As a former USNavy wife, I truly am honored & proud to say … THANK YOU!
The last time I heard bagpipes was when the girls played them at our eldest son's graduation party for him, they always bring a tear.
Your write today was absolutely heartfelt, Laura.
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon
What a wonderful post. And to Mr. Decor … thanks and prayers for making such sacrifices to keep us safe and free. God bless you and your family.
Happy Memorial Day. I loved this post! Thank you Mr. Decor for your service! –Delores
PS: Don't forget to email me with you address so I can mail your prizes. deloresarabian@hotmail.com
Wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing and posting to all those who have served.
What a beautiful celebration and tribute to your Airman's career and heritage.
We had bag pipes at Da's funeral. The music is beautiful.
Your Friend,
Deborah
Psst… commando, like most Judges I know!
Wow, this is such a fabulous post. I am all about that plaid. How gorgeous. I loved seeing the place settings. So pretty!
I got your postcard!! It was such a fun thing to do!
This looks like it was a fun night!!
I just wanted to stop in and tell you thanks for commenting on my yellow beds on BudgetBlonde.com It's a new blog so I appreciate comments so much! thanks!
xoxo,
Cat
Laura-What a great post, party, and pictures. But the 2008 post gave me chills. I could almost see it and feel it myself. What a moving experience. Thanks for sharing it.
What a wonderful rememberance of not only a special day for your family, but for all military families and American families in general. Thanks so much for sharing Mr. Decor's day of honor.
This looks like it was fun from start to finish – the Scots know how to have a good time (not that I'm biased having lots of Scot blood in the family background). Great post and thank you for sharing with us, and thanks to Mr. Decor for his service!
All so lovely, Laura! Congratulations to Mr. Decor for returning all of his missions; the party looks just divine; Mom's side of the family is from the Orkney Islands and we love the tartan too! The pic of you holding your Sweet Little Boy is precious, and you all look so Proud, as you should be!!! hugs, Andrea
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story and thank you to Mr. Decor for his service. Loved seeing the family in tartan. It looks like a wonderful party!
Thanks for linking up to the Tartan Parade. ~Delores
This must have been a wonderful celebration. I really enjoy hearing bagpipes, and in our church (Presbyterian) we do have a piper often. Great thanks to your hubby for his service to all of us. Linda
Laura,
this was a wonderful post to link into the Tartan Parade, it looks like a very special party which was enjoyed by everyone.
I do love a Scottish pipe band!
Maggie
Laura, what a treat to get to see the delights of this occasion. Thank you for sharing this beautiful party. Your family looks so happy! Thank you to your husband for his years of service!
And a big thank you for sharing this wonderful post in the Tartan Parade. ~ Sarah
WOW a great celebration of plaid and certainly worth another go-round!
Thanks for sharing – happy Tartan!
~Michele
I can almost hear the bagpipes. This is the best kind of party, with the wearin' o' the plaid.
Sure looks like everyone had a great time! Love the cute invitations (I won't share them with Earl:@)
What a special day and I agree, a beautiful family. Such a wonderful memory for you all. Thanks for sharing the details with us. Such a great honor.
Thanks for linking this special post with the Tartan Parade today, Laura!
Laura, I'm so glad you reposted this wonderful party. Thank your handsome husband for his years of service! Happy Tartan to you.
This is the perfect post for Tartan Day. What a special occasion! Sally
A lovely post.. and a lovely party at that.. Wow! xo marlis
Laura, Thank you for sharing this wonderful post and this special Scottish retirement party for your husband. Please thank your husband for his service to our country. God bless him and your family. Happy Tartan Day!
Babs