THE St. Andrew’s Society of Tidewater is excited to be featuring former Secretary of the Navy James Webb, author of Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America (2004) at its annual St. Andrew’s Day Celebration. Secretary Webb is multi-faceted, and it is an honor to be able to host him. His credits include:

• author of six novels, including Fields of Fire, Lost Soldiers, and The Emperor’s General;
• filmmaker, Rules of Engagement;
• world-traveled, Emmy Award-winning journalist;
• teacher of literature at the university level;
• one of the most highly decorated Marines of the Vietnam War;
• Assistant Secretary of Defense; and Secretary of the Navy during the Reagan administration

THE November 5^th event is being held at the Princess Anne Country Club, located at 3800 Pacific Avenue in Virginia Beach. Cash bar cocktails are at 6:00 with single malts available. Dinner begins at 7:00. The menu includes chicken, beef, and salmon entrees; and dinner concludes with a berry trifle. The cost is $42.50 per person with a reservation deadline of October 31^st. Highland evening dress or other suitable attire is the recommended. Reservation forms may be downloaded from the Society’s website.

VISIT www.jameswebb.com for more information about our illustrious guest.

ST. Andrew’s will be honoring the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns on Saturday, January 21, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Chesapeake. Mark your calendars now for this annual gathering, and watch for registration information in mid December. Count on the usual Highland pomp and circumstance with good food, good fellowship, and good memories.

Burns Nicht Raffle Support Requested

THE Annual Burns Nicht, scheduled for January 21, 2006, will include opportunities to win from a wide variety of wonderful prizes donated by our membership and guests. The proceeds from this raffle support the St. Andrew’s Society of Tidewater Scholarship Fund. Plan now to be represented at the raffle table. Contact Past President and Raffle Coordinator, Al Alblowich, for additional information or to arrange for the donation of your item(s).

DURING the period 9-23 August 2005, fifty-eight members of Clan Wallace Society Worldwide visited various locations in Scotland to join local Scots in their commemoration ceremonies revering Sir William Wallace, Scotland’s greatest hero. Although the two-week tour covered both highland and lowland sites of interest, the highlights of the tour were the Smith Museum visit in Stirling and the wreath laying ceremonies at the William Wallace Statue in Aberdeen.

IN Stirling, Clan Society President John R. Wallace, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, made a donation on behalf of the Clan Society to the museum to support its exceptional William Wallace collection and displays. The ceremony took place on 17 August, and the Museum Director Elspeth King and the Provost of Stirling, Colin O’ Brien, were present during the ceremony to welcome the Clan Wallace group and to receive the donation.

LATER in the tour, the Clan Wallace group visited Aberdeen, during the city’s ceremonies honoring Sir William Wallace held on 22 August, sponsored by the Wallace 700 Society. The Wallace group was involved in the ceremonial procession through the streets of the city as well as the statute ceremonies, where President John R. Wallace laid a special society wreath at the foot of the statute [see photo below]. During their stay in the city, the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, John Reynolds, held a reception honoring the North American Wallaces who were visiting to attend the ceremonies. David Irvine of Drum, Chief of Clan Irvine, and his wife, Carolyn, who are annually involved with the Aberdeen ceremonies, hosted the Wallaces during this period.

THE Clan Wallace Society members were privileged to dine in Edinburgh with Andrew Wallace, Clan Society Council Member and son of the Chief of Clan Wallace, Ian Francis Wallace, of that Ilk.

Clan Wallace Society Worldwide President John R. Wallace lays wreath at William Wallace statue in Aberdeen during 700th anniversary celebrations.