The annual salute to Robert Burns, the Scottish poet and song-writer, hosted by the Estevan 2901 PPCLI Army Cadet Corps of Estevan was another rousing success on Saturday night. In fact, a couple of additional tables needed to be set up at the last minute to accommodate even more people who had made their way to the Wylie-Mitchell Air Cadet Hall to participate in the event.
The annual ceremony includes a military flag party followed by a procession that brings in the sword, haggis and scotch all to the pipe and drum music of the PPCLI Army Cadet Pipe and Drum Band and the Kilted Wind Pipe Band, who combined forces this year to entertain the audience of more than 250.
Tradition also sees an appearance of young dancers from the Drewitz School of Dance who provide rousing Highland flings and Celtic jigs to the music provided by the pipes and drums.
This year’s featured drumming demonstration included a blackout of the auditorium with the drummers using glow-in-the-dark drumstricks that flared their colourful lights back to the audience as the drummers went to work.
Prior to the roast beef dinner that featured the haggis, there was an address to this traditional Scottish dish, using the words of Burns, delivered by piper Allan Mohrbutter.
PPCLI cadet Abby Krupka delivered the Selkirk grace and Dyana Wright provided some immortal memories of Robert Burns following the meal. The historical references to Burns included the fact he died young after fathering 12 children with four different mates, leaving a current list of over 600 direct descendents as a result.
Burns, who carried the family name Burness until the mid-way point of his life, which lasted only 37 years, was an accomplished linguist, learning French and Latin even though he was born into a
poor farming family.
His first book of poetry was published in 1786, when he had just turned 27 and his follow-up book, Tom O’Shanter came shortly after as did more works of poetry and songs including the classical Auld Lyne Syne.
“He was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve and because of his closeness to the people, we get to know him,” said Wright.
Captain Ken Turner CD served as emcee for the evening with the assistance of Band Coy Officer Capt. Robert Rooks CD and Band Coy Second Lieut. Angela Durr CD, and drum instructor Amanda Coates. Legion officers Lyle and Sharren Dukart were also head table guests.
The commanding officer for the Army Cadet Corps, Captain Craig Bird was unable to attend due to work commitments.
The dancers were under the guidance of their instructor Lorie-Gay Drewitz-Gallaway.
Following the dinner, piping and Highland dancing, everyone was invited to enjoy a social and dance with music provided by Dave Elliott.
