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| "I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense." |
Posted on 08/05/2016 5:31:24 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa
It’s cool that you know some of the guys in that great picture.
Where was it taken and was it taken by a professional or just a lucky shot?
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| "I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense." |
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| "I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense." |
Thanks-—it’s a perfectly balanced photograph. Very nice.
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Oh come on! ; ) My mom is German and we eat blood sausage and love it. In Argentina they have a blood sausage that they grill, it’s awesome. But you can watch while you enjoy your Single Malt Scotch. : )
Thanks for posting that. I’ll make it there someday.
I’ve never visited Europe.
I’d like to visit while it’s still Europe.
Ping!
One particular feature, noted by a piper, but missed by most other observers, is the position of the mouthpiece for the prominent lad featured here, as in contrast to the other pipers. The facial "smile" muscles needed to support the corner-of-the-mouth presentation are most difficult to develop so as not to be too tired to work during a long march.
Supporting the bag pressure is much easier with the center by pursing of ones lips, but checking the blowback whilst breathing in is awkward, so a mechanical check valve inserted at the bag end of the blowpipe helps control this containment of the air and keeps the pressure constant.
I'm not sure if I remember whether a leather flapper valve in the older style instrument was or was not present, but I think probably so. The corner-of-the-mouth style allows one to carry the bag a little more to the side, thus giving a bolder impression of the overall piper's image, as seen in this lad's impressive deportment.
The bagpipe is not particularly a parade instrument. It is principally an effective battle instrument intended to dismay the foe with the sound of imminent death. It's purpose is that the wild, keening skirl, the thredony of the pipes (sans drums) in the van of the attacker, ought to strike a disabling fear in the hearts of an adversary about to be consumed.
In a parade--as in battle--the pipers lead the resolute warriors, and the parade's observers should feel a shudder as the initial impression of the fearsome marching unit's demeanor is carried by the pipe-and-drum's skirling-and-thump announcement of the unit's presence (and passing). Here's a little glimpse of the use in ceremony::
Company D, 174th Armored Infantry Bn, 27th Armored Infantry Div, NYARNG
May 30, 1961 Memorial Day Parade, Hornell, NY, USA
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(Note this piper's positioning of the mouthpiece.)
Haggis is great, but I’m too much of an American Not to love sourmash. Single malt is an acquired taste, however, it only requires a few wee tastes to acquire and enjoy.
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