History|

A Brief History of Lt. Hugh McKayPost #007

Scottish-American Military Society
Savannah, Georgia

Lt. Hugh McKay Post #007 was organized on January 29, 1988. We were fortunate that several of our charter members were also charter members of SAMS. Included were: Bobby Groves, Groves High School in Savannah was named for his father; Jim McDonald, genealogist, for Clan Donald; Edwin Shepherd, a prominent physician; and A. Patterson Little, a distinguished businessman. Other leaders of the Scottish-American community were also charter members including: J. Anthony Fine, Charles Pidgeon, Bruce Mcrae, Jamie Bunten, Frank Carter, Donald Lamont, Col. Robert Quinn Sr., Col. Robert Quinn Jr., and Jack Slater. The Post was named for Lt. Hugh McKay Sr., one of the original Scottish settlers responsible for founding Darien, GA.

Within 45 days, our color guard took part in the Beach Island, SC, 157^th anniversary celebration.

Shortly thereafter, the Color Guard presented the colors at the Savannah Scottish Highland Games, beginning a long and proud tradition as well as a lasting association with these Games.

Over the last twenty years, the Color Guard has participated in Scottish Highland Games in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. We have marched in the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Veteran’s Day parade, the Blessing of the Fleet Parade in Darien, the Peanut Festival in Brooklet, and Christmas Parades in Richmond Hill and Darien. We have provided the Color Guard for numerous Kirkin of the Tartans, Robert Burns Suppers, and assisted at such joyful occasions as ushers at weddings, and such solemn occasions as pall bearers at funerals.

Some special events we have taken part in include: the opening ceremony for the 1996 Olympic Yachting event held in Savannah; marching in the CSS Hunley funeral parade in Charleston, SC; providing an Honor Guard for Count Pulaski’s State Funeral at the Independent Presbyterian Church; and presenting the Colors at a Georgia Southern football game. In 2007, we led the Savannah Veteran’s Day Parade accompanied by the Savannah Pipes and Drums on their maiden outing. The Savannah Pipes and Drums are led by Post #007 member David Crampton.

From 1997 until 2005, we sponsored the Braveheart Classic Golf Tournament and since 2006, the Braveheart Poker Run.

The proceeds have allowed us to donate $1000 to the 3^rd Infantry Division FallenSoldier’s Fund and $1000 on two occasions for the WWII Monument in Savannah.

Annually, we sponsor sending a Scottish dancer to dance camp and a piper or drummer to the North American Academy of Piping. We give 13 medals to outstanding cadets in JROTC in Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, Bryan, and Bulloch Counties. Additionally, we give engraved Highland Dirks to each outstanding cadet/midshipman at Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah State University, and Georgia State University.

Currently, we have 40 active members including men and women who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea and WWII. As we enter our third decade, we can look forward to our members proudly representing our Scottish and Scotch-Irish tradition.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.

Psalm 16:6 NRSV

“with fire and sword”