The Royal Highland Fusiliers (2SCOTS) serve as our Honor Guard at the Greenville Scottish Games. Each of the past five years, eight members of this elite unit in the British Army come over here for a week to lead our Great Scot! Parade and our Military Tribute on the main field during the Games.
I am fortunate to be a member of the St. Andrews Society of Upper South Carolina (SASUSC) and it is our privilege to host these fine men each year. We put the Jocks on TV a few times, take their pictures everywhere they go and we make sure that the 2SCOTS feel like royalty while they are in our care. You see, to us in the SASUSC, these men are not only part of our heritage – we love the friendships, the fun and the experience of having them here each year. They are special to us and what we have learned is that they become special to both our community here in Greenville and to our patrons of the Games.
All you have to do is walk down Main Street with these men and see complete strangers cross the street to thank them for their service. Or, to hear all the questions they get asked, or see how many people want to have their picture taken with them, or the countless people who want to buy them a beer. It always warms my heart to see how much fun we have making them feel welcome. Our community love them too. When you run into the Jocks next year – come say hello to the best men in the British Army.
So, as I look forward to the 2SCOTS coming back in 2016 – I’m always struck by how often I think about going to Scotland to visit them for a week. Maybe next year!
“No one provokes me with impunity”
RHF forever!
Jay Spivey
