Annual Robert Burns Night

Description

Scots and descendants of Scots will pay homage to their immortal bard on the anniversary of his birthday at The Gin on Nolan Creek, January 24, 2015, with ceremony, speeches, pageantry, and partaking of the traditional Scottish meal, haggis. Since the first gathering of Burns’ friends in 1801, that evening has developed into the mystical ritual known as Burns Night.  This year’s celebration is sponsored by Post 1298, Scottish American Military Society.
 
           Robert Burns was born in the Ayrshire village of Alloway, Scotland where he spent 37 of his years working the family farm. Burns had an acute perception of life and everything around him. He was aware of the injustices as year after year of toil brought the family no relief from their hardship and threat of eviction always loomed over them.
 
           In a country overrun by the English ways, customs, and oppressive government, Burns felt that his way of life was slipping away. This was the source of his moods, his depressions, and his melancholia. It was also the source of his creativity. Burns died on February 17, 1784 and is buried in Alloway Kirkyard. He is best known for penning “Auld Lang Syne,” sung by everyone in America and around the world on New Year’s Eve.
 
          “Burns Night” at The Gin on Nolan Creek, starts with a Social at 6:30pm.  The program commences at 7:00 with the “Piping in of the Haggis” and the “Address to a Haggis” both performed by COL Martin Docherty.
 
           Doctor Martin Docherty joins us again from St. Louis, MO. where he practices Emergency Medicine and is currently Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Washington School of Medicine, St. Louis. Martin, a COL in the US Army Medical Corps, comes every month to work in the Emergency Services Department, at Darnall Army Medical Center, on Fort Hood, Texas.
 
Martin has been piping since the age of 8. He was a member of the 41st Highland Division Pipe Band, British Army. He was the under 21 category piping champion, at age 16 and British Army Grade 1 Champion. Martin played for Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip in 1975.  Former Pipe Major of the St. Louis Inveraan Pipe Band, winning numerous prizes in grade 4, 3 and 2 as well as many solo prizes in open category.
         
          Music will be provided by Belton’s own, Oak & Ember Celtic band.  They have headlined at several Salado Scottish Clan Gatherings.  For information call (254) 231-8254 or email gshott@vvm.com.