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

[Moski]

Are you bold enough to tell a member of the Royal Regiment of Scotland or the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers that their feather hackles mean "absolutely nothing"?

T.

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 wouldn't tell them it has no meaning but that it had no such meaning for me.

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. but that is military paraphernalia and weather or not I would agree they have legitimate claim to it if identified by other mil-para.

[Harold Cannon]

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.

[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.

[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 wouldn't tell them it has no meaning but that it had no such meaning for me.

Pity then, because without the Highland regiments, none of us would probably even be wearing a kilt.

I would daresay for the US Marines who served alongside the Jocks in Iraq, the red hackle had plenty of meaning...Right, Kyle?*

*A forum member who served alongside the Black Watch.

T.

[Moski]

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.




T.

I was speaking only about the eagle feather discussion. I did note a previously mentioned exception. Yes I got the humor and yes we hold our "stuff" closely and tenaciously. As mentioned though, without it's accompanying millitaria it's meaning goes away. Not every red feather means something just like every bit of blue cord does not mean infantry. i think what I'm trying to get at is the application. A red hackle in one badge means something of note to a trooper, a red hackle in an x-marks badge my mean the person was matching his red shirt or hose. Also, the Eagle feather is of pretty much universal and pretty much singular meaning. I've heard of those units but never of their red hackle or how they were awarded it, or anything else about it. I'd really like to ask one of the troopers if a bit or red feather in joe dirt's cap diminishes his insignia in his mind or if he blows it off without the other accompanying kit. I will say that Eagle feathers are off limits.

[artificer]

Here's one... What about the 'eye' (just the very top) from a peacock's tail feather? Pinned in behind a clan badge (or X-Marks badge ).

Nobody could mistake that for ANYTHING else, and to the best of my knowledge means nothing to anyone, but is quite striking. I think that might be the only feather I'd consider.

[Alan H]

I happen to have a small bundle of Osprey feathers, which is probably illegal. I got them from under a nest in Puget Sound. I quite like them, as I am a big fan of that species of raptor, and I suppose I might consider wearing them in a hat sometime.

...which I'm sure would annoy all sorts of people, to no end. That's clearly to the good, as it gives them something to be passionate about.

It will probably never happen as I'm much too busy doing other things to spend the time trying to affix one of them to a hat. That would also mean wearing the hat, and most of the time at Highland Games I'm wearing a kerchief over my bald head so that I don't sunburn it something fierce.

As for going to balls and wearing medals....I can't recall the last time I went to a ball, though I've HAD a ball doing various things, now and then. Actually, now that I think of it, I PLAYED at a ball a few years ago............in the orchestra.

The only medals I ever earned were 1.) My Eagle Scout medal 2.) A busload of 2nd and 3rd place medals that I drag home every year from the Enumclaw Games. They give you a medal for every event that you place in the top 3. I suppose if I took them all off of their ribbons, it would make quite the noisy display, pinned to my grotesquely puffed-out chest..

[Zardoz]

...which I'm sure would annoy all sorts of people, to no end. That's clearly to the good, as it gives them something to be passionate about.

You're the man Alan!

[JerseyLawyer]

The only medals I ever earned were 1.) My Eagle Scout medal 2.) A busload of 2nd and 3rd place medals that I drag home every year from the Enumclaw Games. They give you a medal for every event that you place in the top 3. I suppose if I took them all off of their ribbons, it would make quite the noisy display, pinned to my grotesquely puffed-out chest..

You know, I've sometimes wondered why the games organizers waste the money. Coming from a family with a number of solists, we have a drawer or two filled with medals. You can't exactly wear them, and everybody I know throws them all in a drawer somewhere. Do they really think pipers and drummers care about the bling? It's all about the AGL on the scoresheet, bay-bee. :P

[ThistleDown]

Here's one... What about the 'eye' (just the very top) from a peacock's tail feather? Pinned in behind a clan badge (or X-Marks badge ).

Nobody could mistake that for ANYTHING else, and to the best of my knowledge means nothing to anyone, but is quite striking. I think that might be the only feather I'd consider.

Why not the whole feather, Scott? And why not on your apron? This is silver with a lapis lazuli "eye". Much nicer than a cast-off from some bird stuck in your bonnet I think.

Rex