The band had its’ busiest weekend in history Memorial Weekend. It started with a Friday night parade in downtown Greenville (SC), had the band as well as individual members competing on Saturday, & then finished with a hot & humid performance at a Memorial Gardens Memorial Day event in Gainesville (GA).

The parade was held on Main Street, a beautiful tree-lined street in downtown Greenville. The rain held off but it was close to 90 & extremely humid & though Main Street is flat, the route started on a hill – always fun for the bass drummer with his 25-pound drum! His HRH The Prince Edward was also in the parade (in a beautiful new Rolls Royce convertible) & then was in the reviewing stand.

Saturday the day started early as the schedule for the Greater Greenville Scottish Festival & Games was moved up due to The Prince’s schedule. Solo piping competitions started early at 8:00 AM with two of our pipers, a very sick Robbie Rogers & Shawn Liaguno competing in the Piobaireachd, Slow Air, & March events. Congrats to Robbie & Shawn for their performances

Gary Derbridge, our Bass Drummer, competed in the Amateur BD competition & was very pleased with his performance. He placed 2^nd behind an excellent 1^st place performance from Donna Sammander.

The band was one of six grade 5 bands competing as one band had to withdraw. We finished in 4^th place which considering a very sick piper & a stubborn chanter was good. Our drum corps though had a great outing & was ranked 2^nd! Congrats to the band for a good finish & a warm & sincere congratulations to Charleston Police Pipes & Drums for their 1^st place finish.

The day was hot & humid with the temperatures in the high 80’s but at least the rain held off until after the last massed bands & awards ceremony. We were able to get the band tent down before the rains came.

On a somewhat sad note the day also marked the last time that our P/M’s son, Stephen, would be playing for us for about two years. He is leaving for a 2-year mission trip to El Salvador. Good luck Stephen.

After an exhausting weekend the band had an excellent showing Monday morning & performed at Memorial Gardens in Gainesville. The day started with torrential rain so the first part of the memorial service was held indoors in the funeral home chapel while the band played a number of tunes under the covered portico. Thought we sounded excellent.

The second part of the service moved outdoors (no rain) to the military memorial area where the service continued. Of course what would a memorial service be without Amazing Grace. The band was in fine form with the tune opening with a solo piper, the band kicking in, & then a piper walking off into the distance playing Amazing Grace solo. A very moving effect! Everyone loves Amazing Grace as it invokes so many memories; it just stirs something in your heart.