Would you ever wear a feather in your cap, particularly in the U.S.?

[macwilkin]

Oh come on. Obviously I was referring to the Eagle feather situation concerning Chiefs. Of course someone else may use feathers to designate something of import to that group but you cannot reasonably expect everyone to know the groups meaning or for some to even care that a military unit uses a bloomin feather in addition to all that shiny.

I served in the Army and some people had no end of heartache about people wearing plain geeen berets with no claim to service or other militaria present.

I believe your exact words were: "Any other feather, except the noted exception, means absolutely nothing." I simply was noting the fact that there are exceptions to your statement. I'm sorry my attempt at humour failed miserably. I'll put a by it next time.

With the military it is part of a UNIFORM and the hackle does lose its meaning with out the other parts. Thats why when most jocks decide to put their hackle in a shadow box for display they also put the cockade and bonnet badge. Otherwise its just a bunch of dyed feathers but with the other parts its a symbol of pride, honor, and tradition.

I'm not so sure I agree with your first statement. The Hackle is an important totem and talisman to soldiers; when the MoD first introduced it's plan to amalgamate the the Scottish Regiments into one super-regiment, great concern was voiced by former soldiers about the "golden threads" of regimental traditions and customs. I know at least one ex-Northumberland Fusilier who would strongly disagree with you -- as he is want to say, "Don't tackle with the hackle!"


T.