[afraidfortherepublic]

http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/magazine/228556-d-day-piper-bill-millin-remembered-with-memorial-in-normandy/

Video

[Fiji Hill]

He played Highland Laddie and the Road to the Isles as fellow soldiers fell all around him.

The Road to the Isles--Performed by Gaberlunzie, with lyrics

[PLMerite]

The Longest Day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHLMI3Oga1A

[OSHA]

After the battle, it is said German troops decided not to shoot at him on the beach, thinking he was insane.

Well known since Roman times when they built the worlds largest insane asylum. AKA Hadrian's Wall. :^)

[DuncanWaring]

Also mentioned by President Reagan in his Pointe du Hoc speech in 1984:

I think I know what you may be thinking right now -- thinking, "We were just part of a bigger effort; everyone was brave that day.'' Well, everyone was. Do you remember the story of Bill Millin of the 51st Highlanders? Forty years ago today, British troops were pinned down near a bridge, waiting desperately for help. Suddenly, they heard the sound of bagpipes, and some thought they were dreaming. Well, they weren't. They looked up and saw Bill Millin with his bagpipes, leading the reinforcements and ignoring the smack of the bullets into the ground around him.

Lord Lovat was with him -- Lord Lovat of Scotland, who calmly announced when he got to the bridge, "Sorry I'm a few minutes late,'' as if he'd been delayed by a traffic jam, when in truth he'd just come from the bloody fighting on Sword Beach, which he and his men had just taken.

Note Lord Lovat is described as accompanying Millin, not the other way around.

[SES1066]

Thanks for the post!

[MasterGunner01]

As Sean Connerly (played a Bren gunner in The Longest Day) said to his mate (paraphrased): “There are a lot of weird people on this beach.” [He was talking about Lord Lovat and his piper.]

[LibertarianLiz]

sgian-dubh

Okay, Scotsman, I need help with pronunciation. Please.

[JOHN ADAMS]

I saw this guy’s obituary a while back and it reminded me of Psalm 34, by King David after he was saved from certain death at the hands of Avimelech, who was so disgusted by the supposedly crazy man in front of him that instead of killing him he just had King David thrown out of his court.