Dear Editor:
RE: U.S. Marine Corps joins Fergus Scottish Festival celebrations, Aug. 15.
Thank you for the wonderful article. It was such a pleasure to cross paths with reporter Georgia York this past week amongst all the Scottish Festival festivities, including the luncheon hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion for the 2D Marine Aircraft Wing Band visiting from North Carolina.
Sourcing a talent is one thing but it takes vision, imagination and tactical planning to pull a plan such as this together. This huge undertaking couldn’t have come about without the Fergus Scottish Festival board and entertainment team’s vision, tremendous staff support for the many letters, contracts and documents required to accomplish such a task – what a team!
Thank you to all the community organizations and businesses that welcomed the opportunity to provide a warm and heartfelt welcome to our friends from across the border. Special pricing and cost savings from so many of our local business folk assisted in preparing a budget to make this project a reality.
Our local Royal Canadian Legion Branch #275 was a true “home away from home” for the Corps. Thank you for all you offered in kindness and generosity.
A special thank you to the Fergus Pipe Band, under the direction of pipe major Mark Cripps, for welcoming the opportunity in providing a true bi-national cultural exchange showcased at this year’s ‘Tattooed in Tradition’ presentation on the Friday evening.
The two bands working remotely for weeks in advance and then provided a chance to meet and perform together live was truly magical. From Wednesday’s first field rehearsal to the final “horaw” tribute in the Highland Pub Sunday afternoon, the bands’ camaraderie, openness and welcoming spirit has left an imprint on those young Marines for years to come.
What a brilliant organization is the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games and what a grand old community is Fergus. Bring on the 80th!
Deb Dalziel,
Fergus