The Chief Is Coming - Clan Henderson Society

Alexandria Scottish Christmas WalkClan Henderson again shines as onethe nation’s best Scottish clans.Even though the temperatureswere cool, our hearts were warmed by theinspiration of all those who participatedin this year’s event. It is truly an eventthat all clan members should attendat least once. The clan was led thisyear by three pipers, all of whom weresuperb performers. Clan Hendersoneven provided a premier-level highlanddancer to entertain the crowds who linedthe parade route. In addition, membersof the clan were also handing out candyto the young (and young at heart)spectators. It was simply a great event.Forty three clan members marchedin the parade led by three pipers, ahighland dancer, the clan banner, theclan bodyguard, the clan shield, clanofficials, clan membership, and clantartan flag bearers. The day startedoff cloudy and cool, but thanks to theexpertise of the Clan Chaplain, and hispersonal relationship with the Almighty,the prayer offered to let the sun shinethrough produced the desired resultsand we soon had the sun to warm upour march. This year’s parade featuredone hundred and eighty elements toinclude marching bands, pipe bands,reenactment groups, dignitaries fromthe U.S. government and Scotland, andof course canine clubs.We were all especially honored to haveAnn Henderson, the wife of our formerClan Chieftain, Claude Henderson, tojoin us during these festivities. Leadingthe procession were three excellentpipers: Stuart Carkeek, Patrick Heston,and Gregory Hicks. Clan Henderson, inkeeping with the tradition of having thebest of pipers, provided better pipingthan any other clan in the parade. Theywere followed by Meredith Hunter, apremier highland dancer from Albany,NY and student at Mary WashingtonCollege in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Wewere also especially honored to havethe President of Clan Henderson, BillyHenderson, and his wife Dawn, joinus. In addition to the Commissioner forMid East Region Leon Hicks and AnnHicks, the Youth Commissioner for ClanHenderson, the Commissioner of theSoutheast Region Harry Keifer and hiswife Suzanne, and the Commissioner forthe Great Lakes Region Doug Henderson,and his wife Kathleen were there as well.Fred Sanford, the Clan Chaplain, andhis wife Peggy were present along withRex Maddox, President Emeritus and hiswife Pat. Of course no parade would becomplete without the able Bodyguardled by the newly appointed Head ofthe Bodyguard—Christian Garin—andTony Henderson, Tim Clonts, KerryClonts from Oklahoma, and ZekeMaddox. Many promotions and newappointments to the body guard were tobe made at the Celidh later that evening.Others members and former members ofthe clan leadership were there to “cheeron” the clan marchers although badknees and backs precluded some frommarching.My greatest appreciation goes to thegeneral clan membership who alwayssupports this event in great numbers.It is an honor to work with, and walkwith, a clan whose members show upin such great numbers and under lessthan favorable conditions to show theirsupport for the Clan. Most of the clanswere fortunate to five or ten memberspresent, Clan Henderson had four andfive times that many members marching.Some of you came from far away tosupport this event. It was, and is, trulyappreciated.8 An Canach Winter 2006