Redding Bagpipe Competition 2024

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The Redding Bagpipe Competition was held over March 2nd and 3rd at the Red Lion Hilltop Inn in Redding, CA. Despite inclement weather, over 40 competitors vied for prizes. That is a large number of pipers for a competition in California. When all the score sheets were reviewed and the judges polled, the winner of The Fred Rutledge Memorial Piper of the Day Quaich was Aims McGuinness from Santa Cruz. Aims acquitted himself very well in competition by winning the Grade 4 Aggregate award, with the highest points earned in his grade. Since the “Piper of the Day” award isn’t necessarily awarded just on competitive success, Aims also impressed the judges as an all-around competitor. This event was Aims’ first competitive outing since returning to piping after over 30 years! He learned piping in Colorado but hasn’t played much as an adult. He is a professor of History at University of California Santa Cruz – something Fred would truly appreciate. I am absolutely sure Fred would be pleased with this true gentleman earning the award in his name. As a side note, I was honored to play the tune I composed for Fred as part of the event’s opening ceremony. Fred was a big supporter of this event and deserves continued recognition. Thanks once again to Royal Canadian Legion Post #25 for sponsoring this perpetual trophy! A “quaich” is a traditional Scottish drinking vessel representing friendship and is often used as an award in piping competitions.

 – Charles Martin

Below are some pictures related to the event.

Do You Believe In The Greater Good?

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An item from the Wreaths Across America organization.

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A key message of our 2024 theme, Live with Purpose, is to have a belief in the greater good. This might be one of the most important things we can remind ourselves of and teach our children. Our Curriculum Developer, Cindy Tatum, a Gold Star Mom, created lesson plans focusing on kindness that can educate learners of all ages about the importance of acting with a belief in the greater good.

 

DOWNLOAD LESSON PLANS

Live with Purpose Lesson Plans are under the first red drop-down menu.

 

Then, in our first video of the new “Live with Purpose” series, Mark Holmquist, Scarborough, Maine, Chief of Police, talks about his service as a Sentinel Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers located at Arlington National Cemetery. Watch the inspiring video below to learn more about his service.

 

With gratitude,
Karen Worcester
Live with Purpose Series: Video #1 Their Belief in the Greater Good

Commemoration of the 62nd Anniversary of the Disappearance of Flying Tiger Line Flight 739
Save the date and please join us! On Saturday, March 16, we will pay tribute to the American heroes who selflessly sacrificed their lives aboard Flying Tiger Line Flight 739.
Tiger Flight 2024

Share Your Story on Wreaths Radio
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We want to hear from you! Tell us how you support the mission of Wreaths Across America and be featured on Wreaths Across America Radio.

 

Click on the button below to request an interview, and listen live to Wreaths Radio here!

Visit the Mobile Education Exhibit in March

In March, the Mobile Education Exhibit will visit North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Don’t miss this free, interactive museum in your community!
Mobile Education Exhibit MEE

Register For Our First TEACH Webinar
Wreaths Across America TEACH Webinar

Our free TEACH webinar, which will take place on Tuesday, March 19th at 4PM ET, will be co-hosted by Cindy Tatum, Wreaths Across America Curriculum Developer and Gold Star Mother, and Andrew Huber, Senior Liaison, The Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress.

 

Registration is required. Click on the button below to register!

Featured Merchandise
WAA Mug

Show off your support of Wreaths Across America in style with our 12 ounce Ceramic Mug!

 

The cork base prevents scratches on surfaces.

Make sure to follow Wreaths Across America official channels on social media for the most up-to-the-minute news on the mission throughout the year:

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Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, United States, 877-385-9504

The Canadian Press distributes wartime news for troops overseas

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An item from the Legion Magazine.
Front Lines
Front Lines

Munro’s account is topped by a picture of Fulford and Purcell putting the first edition of The Canadian Press News together in the wee hours of April 27, 1942 after the national plebiscite on compulsory military service.    (CP FILES)                   

The Canadian Press distributes wartime news for troops overseas

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

It seemed an assignment more suited to a cub reporter, not the intrepid journalist who would become the national news service’s most celebrated war correspondent.

But then, this was The Canadian Press, for which no story was too small or too big, and there he was, Ross Munro, a man for all seasons, asking troops how they liked the first edition of The Canadian Press News, a weekly newsletter for Canadian servicemen and women overseas.

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Custom 5-Volume Set
Military Milestones
Military Milestones

Royal Canadian Regiment preparing an assault on the Boer Fortifications at the Modder River.[WIKIMEDIA]

The Battle of Paardeberg: a landmark engagement

STORY BY PAIGE JASMINE GILMAR

It’s the 124th anniversary of the Boer War’s Battle of Paardeberg. Not only was it a major British victory in what is also known as the South African War, but it was a landmark engagement for Canadian forces. It was the first time the country participated in a foreign conflict.

In 1899, the British called on the Canadians for reinforcements in the Boer War. Though Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier opposed the request, English Canada was resoundingly in favour, so a thousand volunteer soldiers were sent as part of the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.

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Member Benefit Partner
Pocketpills

At Pocketpills, we bring the pharmacy to you. Through our easy-to-use app and website, you can fill prescriptions, order vitamins, and consult with pharmacists—all from the comfort of home. As a member of The Legion, you’ll receive exclusive benefits when you sign up! Click the link below to see offers in your area, or call 1-855-950-7225 and mention that you are a Legion member.
Email sent to: mkbarbour@gmail.com

Canvet Publications Ltd.
86 Aird Place |
Kanata, Ontario | K2L 0A1 | Canada |
1-844-602-5737 | 613-591-0116 | magazine@legion.ca

Vietnam Era Veteran Lapel Pin: James Baldwin

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Continuing the branch’s involvement in the distribution of the Vietnam Era Veteran Lapel Pin Commemoration Program.  Yesterday Branch 25 President Michael Barbour was in Austin, Texas and has the opportunity to visit with – and present a pin to James Baldwin.

According to the organization, “the Commemoration is providing Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pins to Commemorative Partners for presentations to U.S. military veterans, living at home or abroad, who served during the Vietnam War period as a lasting memento of the Nation’s thanks.  Living U.S. veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, are eligible to receive one lapel pin.  We make no distinction between veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period.  All were called to serve, none could self-determine where they were stationed, and all were seen in the same way by a country that could not separate the war from the warrior, as we do today.”