Burns Night
Saint Andrew's Society of Williamsburg celebrated Burns Night 2008 with a gala dinner meeting at the Colonial Heritage Club on January 26. As we all know, Robert Burns was Scotland's national poet, lover, humanist, nationalist, internationalist and all-around hero. 2008 also marked the 40th anniversary for Saint Andrew's Society of Williamsburg. The evening was a rousing success. General William S. Wallace, Commanding General U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, was the honored guest. Williamsburg Pipes and Drums and balladeer Bill Darrow both entertained the guests amidst toasts, songs, poetry, presentations and an excellent dinner. Byron Adams politely spoke to the Haggis before disassembling it, and it was particularly tasty this year. Former President Wil Phillips was named Scot of the Year. An impressive host of new members – 22 in all for 2007 - testified that the Society is healthy and growing under the energetic leadership of President Howard S. Topp. Those members who passed on during 2007 were also remembered and honored. The evening ended with the singing of Burns' immortal Auld Lang Syne. Our thanks to everyone who organized this outstanding celebration. For some photos, see below and for further photos, see the Society website www.scotsofwmbg.org
From Wil Phillips – We really surprised him!
To All members of the Williamsburg St. Andrew’s Society :
My wife Scottie and I attended the Annual Burn’s Nicht Dinner at the Colonial Heritage Club House Saturday night. As always it was wonderful, it was a treat to see many of the members I had not seen in a while and to meet the new members. The highlight for me was the big surprise of being named Scot of the Year for 2007. When Howard Topp made the presentation I was literally speechless. When Howard called me up to the podium to present the plaque and asked if I would like to say something my mind went blank. It was not until I returned to the table that I thought of what I should have said. And that is “Thank you all, I am deeply honored by this, and I feel extremely privileged to be a member of the Williamsburg St. Andrew’s Society and to call many of you personal friends. I thank each of you for this honor.”
Yours, Aye, Wilmot Phillips
