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“His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An’ cut you up wi’ ready sleight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like ony ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin’, rich!”
***image1***In his Scottish brogue, Scott Frater recited the Robert Burns poem, “Address to a Haggis,” in front of 100 attendees as he slashed open the haggis with his Sgian Dubh – a small knife Scots carry in the top of their right sock – during the 86th Operations Group Detachment 2’s fifth annual Burns Supper Feb. 3 at the Ramstein Officers’ Club.
Wearing a traditional Scottish kilt, Mr. Frater grabbed the haggis and pulled its contents out for all to see.
The bagpipes wailed in tribute, filling the air with the songs of Scotland that had everyone in the midst of the lochs, mountains and glens of the Highlands.
What started out as 50 people five years ago toasting the haggis and reading Burns poetry has evolved into more than 120 detachment members dressed in tartans, clapping to the pipes and celebrating the Bard’s birthday with a wee dram o’ whiskey, said Mr. Frater.
Detachment 2 is the American contingent at the tri-national Polygone Electronic Warfare Range, consisting of Americans, French and Germans.
“Every year, each nation holds a party to allow the other nations to experience a different culture,” said Mr. Frater, who is in charge of the detachment’s range control system. “The Americans hold the Fourth of July, the French have a Beaujolais party, and the Germans throw an Oktoberfest. We are based in Edinburgh, (Scotland,) and decided that we should also throw a party to let everyone experience a little bit of Scottish culture.”
Robert Burns is the national poet of Scotland, and Burns suppers are traditional on or around the poet’s birthday everywhere in Scotland.
Since Burns had a fondness for haggis and whiskey, which are traditional Scottish foods, it’s all too appropriate to use them at the 86th OG’s Burns Supper, he said.
“In a unit as diverse as Polygone, we get to take advantage of the cultures we work with,” said Lt. Col. Jess Palmer, 86th OG Detachment 2 commander. “Events like these help us develop
camaraderie.”
Amidst the colorful plaid tartans and kilts were 86th AW members who had never attended a Burns Supper before.
“What a unique opportunity,” said 1st Lt. Molly Erickson, 86th Maintenance Group executive officer. “I was a little hesitant based on the description of haggis but it ended up being fun evening with many interesting Scottish traditions.”
