the gunn salute fall 2014

Images from the 45th Annual AGM

Fall 2014 Volume 3, Issue 4

The Gunn Salute Good News About a Great

Family

Inside this issue:

2014 AGM

Images

President’s

Letter

Cover

2

Other Festival

Pictures

GFMHG Images

The Viking

Branch Rises

Again

Westford

Knight

Greetings from

North men

International

Gathering

39th Annual NH

Highland Games

The Battle for

the Soul of

Scotland-Part 1

3

4

5-6

6

7

7

8

9

Branch Commis-

sioners of the

CGSNA

Officers of

CGSNA

AGM Minutes

10

11

12

Flowers of the

Forest

13

The Gunn Store

Festival News

14

15

Rich Gunn, Iain Gunn and Iain’s

cousin, Alistair Gunn. Alistair

Gunn is a former World

Heavyweight champion who

was competing in the Masters

Class.

Rich Gunn, Iain Gunn and Dean

Bulpett

Those in attendance at the AGM

Aline Gunn, Louise Gunn, Taylor

Cameron, Becky Gunn, Iain Gunn, Rich

Gunn

The good news is that my knee has healed just fine. Linda and I attended the

Games in Monterey less than a month after surgery and, thanks to the loan of a

scooter, we made it just fine. The Games were very accommodating to your

infirm President.

It’s been a hectic summer and fall is now here. Linda and I just returned from the

Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with the Loon Mountain Games. The Games

were well attended and there were approximately 35 members, including our Commander and his wife and Ian and Sharon

Gunn (Ian is the President of Clan Gunn Society of Nova Scotia), at the Annual Meeting. There were Gunns from America,

Canada, Nova Scotia and Scotland.

The results of the By-Law change election were announced. 424 ballots were cast. 409 of the ballots were in favor of both

changes and 15 voted against one or the other or both. The changes passed and officers will hold office for 3 years and Ex

Officio membership on the Executive Committee is defined. My thanks to all who participated in the election process. It

shows that you read and felt strongly about the changes proposed. I’ve not ever seen such a strong participation by members

of the Society.

Following the Annual Meeting Linda and I along with Iain and Bunty went to Quebec for an evening dinner hosted by

Commissioners Ted and Louise Gunn. It was a grand time and several Canadian Gunns were in attendance. Thanks Ted and

Louise for a wonderful evening.

Thanks to Dave Ziemer, now the Commissioner of the Viking Branch for his presentation at the AGM on ideas for

encouraging participation by youth who come by the Games tents. Dave has been a Deputy Commissioner of the Western

and Great Lakes Branch with Jeff Growel as the Commissioner. Jeff will now continue as Commissioner of the Great Lakes

Branch and Dave as Commissioner of the Viking Branch.

A special thanks to Margaret and Dean Bulpett, our Yankee Branch Commissioners, who arranged the hotel and meeting

while hosting the Games tent as well. Your hard work made things very easy for me.

I have received word from John Gunn, President of the UK Clan Gunn Society regarding the 2015 International Gathering.

The Gathering will be held July 18 – 26, 2015. We will meet at John O’Groats and cross over to the Orkney Islands, where

we will stay until returning to Caithness on July 21. The Gathering will end with a church service at Kildonan Kirk on July 26.

There are events planned for each day and you can choose which of them you want to attend. The price is discounted if you

attend all the events.

My compliments to the parent Society for holding the line on cost to attend the Gathering. The cost of £490 is just slightly

over the cost three years ago. Included this year will be a gala dinner dance held in conjunction with Clan Sinclair, whose own

International Gathering starts near the end of ours.

The International Gathering, while not inexpensive, is certainly a great way to visit your homeland, learn about Gunn history

and meet a lot of cousins. Linda and I plan to attend with our oldest grandson and hope to see you there.

Information and booking forms for the Gathering will be available very soon at our web site, www.clangunn.us.

Mar sin leat (Bye for now)

Rich

The Gunn Salute

Letter from the President – Fall 2014

Rich Gunn

Other Festival Pictures

The Gunn Salute

The 80 Gunns at the Edith Gunn Jenson family reunion in

the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Kent Burson Commissioner at the Kansas City Games with Rich Gunn

It looks like the President, who is

mentoring the 1st VP, didn’t exactly include

what to wear as their kilt hose is different.

Pictured are current President Rich Gunn

and 1st VP Donald Wilson.

Clan Gunn forming the clan march at the Woodland Games.

Pictured are current President Rich Gunn, Treasurer Jerred

Gunn and 1st VP Donald Wilson.

Fireman Dave Christiana who is in charge of the Westford Knight

restoration, author Dave Brody who wrote "The Cabal of the

Westford Knight, and Norman Biggart from Clan Gunn at the

Westford Knight site. In the foreground, barely visible is the broken

sword. This is indicative of a knight who has died. Recently found

after cleaning was the "hooked X" and possibly the letter "S". The

hooked x is a secret symbol first found on an inscribed slab of rock

in 1362, unearthed by a farmer in Minnesota in 1898 as related by

author, Scott Wolter. Thoughts are that the instrument that made

the marks in the stone was sharper when the sword was done and

became duller when other parts of the knight were done thus the

sword is more easily viewed.

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games—Pictures by Woody Williams

The Gunn Salute

Call-of-the-Clans: Four lines were prepared at

each of the four corners of the field. The four

lines form a circle of friendship around the

cross of torches. Sam Johnson, Immediate Past

President, was the Chair of the Call-of-the-

Clans; pictured are Sam Johnson, Paul Keith of

Clan Keith Society USA Inc. Vice President

Parade of Tartans

Sam Johnson, Immediate Past Pres-

ident of the CGSNA was the Chair

of the Call-of-the Clans and was the

director of the Parade of Tartans

The Gunn Salute

Weapons, Recruitment and the Viking Branch Rises Again

By Jeff C. Growel, Commissioner for the Western Great Lakes

Hello Clan Gunn and welcome to my first article for the Salute. My name is Jeff C. Growel, Commissioner for the Western

Great Lakes and the newly revived Viking Branch. Let me say this introduction has been long overdue.

First, a little expose on myself; I’m a father of four kids, a business owner (Martial Arts Academy) and I work for the Harley

-Davidson Motor Company as a Safety Coordinator. My interest in Scottish heritage began after attending the Chicago

Highland games in 1996. One of the genealogists at the games looked up my family history and made a connection to a few

clans including Gunn. After doing my own research and talking with members of Clan Gunn of North America, I decided to

join. The reasons were many - I admired the clan’s history of perseverance, their indomitable warrior spirit, and most

importantly, it was my way of honoring my Mother and her ancestors who came from Norway and Orkney.

Another reason I joined the Gunn’s, was their lack of representation in Wisconsin. In 1998 I asked to become

commissioner for Wisconsin, and in 1999 the Gunn clan was represented for the first time at the Milwaukee Highland

games. Then within a few years the Illinois branch became vacant, and being partial to Chicago (my first Scottish event), I

asked to represent that region also. Both states were soon consolidated into the Western Great Lakes branch of Clan

Gunn. In 2001 I joined with several clans and friends to brain storm and eventually create a 2nd Highland game in

Wisconsin called the Wisconsin Scottish Highland games. These games would be held over the 3 day period during Labor

Day Weekend 20 minutes outside of Milwaukee in the town of Waukesha. They soon became one of the largest games in

the Midwest. I was on the board for the Opening /Closing ceremonies and conducted the Highland weaponry

demonstrations since inception in 2002.

In 2011, my wife and I attended a dinner in Milwaukee for Aeneas Ranald MacDonnell, 13th Lord MacDonnell. We were

invited guests of the MacDonnell Clan for our efforts in the Celtic community and for some accounting work my wife

helped the Clan with. We both noticed that we were some of the youngest people at the dinner. Almost half of the

members were in wheel chairs and couldn’t even walk down three steps. When Lord MacDonnell got up to speak, the first

thing he said was, “there is a crisis in the clans, we have no younger members coming up replacing the older ones”. A

statement like this, coming from a Scottish Lord with one of the biggest Clan memberships, is call for alarm and deep down

I knew he was right. I have seen membership decline over the last past 20 years of working the games and other Celtic

organizations. I would also see the same people, every year manning their tent, getting older with no (younger) support. I

remember asking an older gentleman from Clan Scott (whose is no longer at the games) about any backup members to

help him, and he just shook his head and replied “there is no one - I’m it”. Sadly, this is the reality for many Clans in the

Midwest. On the ride home from the MacDonnell dinner we both discussed how we could improve the recruitment

process for families and younger members. I went back to all the training I had at Harley Davidson in building processes

and culture change, combined with my wife’s accounting and business knowledge and years of Martial Arts training. These

skills would help develop the paradigm used to promote, educate and recruit potential members, and those searching for

their Celtic roots.

Weapons have a certain aura about them that invokes inquisitiveness and admiration. I acquired two very large swords

many years ago from some dear friends and have used them to promote interest in Scottish history. These swords are well

over 5 feet and weigh close to 20 pounds. At the games or parades people look at them with awe. We often take pictures

with people holding the sword (of all ages) and it continues for the whole event. We have over 20 weapons at our tent, of

different varieties, for everyone to hold and take pictures with. This is a huge draw with families and younger kids. Being a

safety guy, we assist in the handling of the (unsharpened) weapons to make sure it’s both fun and safe. Some visitors have

asked me why so many weapons? I tell them that we don’t use weapons to glorify warfare or boost our ego; we use them

as tools to teach Scottish history and instill cultural curiosity. To me personally, the swords are symbolic of the freedoms

we defend; to Honor those warriors and ancestors who died defending it!

Volume 1, Issue 1

The Gunn Salute

I currently own a Martial Arts school called the Royal Court Academy. We teach adults, kids, families and we do weapons

demonstrations at various events, including the Highland games, Renaissance festivals and Celtic festivals. We were just

recently requested to provide weapons demonstrations at the Milwaukee Irish fest next year. Irish Fest is the largest Celtic

festival in the world, and has over 180,000 people walk through their gates in one weekend. Wisconsin Scottish and WGL

Clan Gunn take part in the Irish fest parade every year. It provides us an excellent opportunity to meet, greet, and recruit.

Even in the unlikeliest venues members have been recruited. My wife, Celina, is of mixed Native American/ Scottish heritage

and we both dance at POW WOWs. Many of the dancers have Scottish last names and they don’t know the historical

connection between the Scots and Native Americans. When I dance, I do it proudly in my Gunn Kilt. It always draws positive

attention and recruitment opportunities too.

The late Dennis Johnson from the original Viking branch (Minnesota, Iowa and the Dakotas) was instrumental in helping me

become a participant, not a patron. When his region went vacant, I wanted to make sure Clan Gunn had representation in

those areas. In honor of Dennis, I asked former president Sam Johnson for the responsibility of taking over that region. I have

been fortunate to recruit members with the same passion and vision that I have for Scottish heritage. When the region

became too big for one commissioner, I asked President Rich Gunn to let Dave Ziemer take over the region. David has built

an authentic looking Viking tent and his co-commissioners have bought the same large Star-fire swords that were handed

down to to me many years ago. Through our efforts the Great Lake Viking branches have won numerous awards for best

tent presentation, best in parade and weapons demonstrations.

Our goal is to offer visitors a memorable learning experience with the purpose of planting the internal seeds of awareness

that will (hopefully) one day grow into passion and involvement with heritage. Weapons and Viking tents are only one way to

accomplish this, for all members have their own God given gifts to educate, inspire and recruit 24/7 to ensure that we have it

for another generation.

Aut Pax Aut Bellum the Phoenix Rises Again!

Jeff C Growel is owner of Royal Court Academy. He is under the tutelage of his renowned Highland Sword Maestro Paul MacDonald

and Master Bruce Aller from Scola Di Marti School of fencing. For demonstrations and training, please contact him at royalcour-

[email protected].

Westford Knight Restoration Information

Donations can be made to "Westford Remembers Memorial Fund”, Northern Bank and Trust,

45 Main St. Westford, MA 01886. It is estimated that $40,000 is needed to protect the Knight

from further deterioration. They have already put in a retaining wall to keep back dirt from the

carving after heavy rains. A Lexan glass case will cover the carving. David Christiana will sculpt

a bronze effigy statute of the knight that will be placed at the site. Granite posts will be

installed to rope off the site from more damage, while benches will be erected to sit on.

The Gunn Salute

Greetings from the North men of Clan Gunn!

By: Dave Ziemer

It has been a busy year for Clan Gunn’s Viking Branch. Our nomadic clan appeared at Highland Games in Milwaukee WI,

Chicago IL, Minneapolis-St. Paul MN, Waukesha WI, the Quad City games IA and the Games at Loon Mt. New Hampshire.

The Lads and I, along with our brothers from the Western Great Lakes region even made appearances two weekends in a

row at a Ren Fair in Door County WI, where part of the proceeds went to children’s charities in the area. We met

hundreds of existing Gunns and helped dozens of men, women and children who now, or will become new to our clan. We

had a blast everywhere we went!

In 2012, Clan Gunn in the Western Great Lakes Region introduced our purple and white Viking “wedge” tent to the world

in Chicago. We had no idea how popular it would be! Between that and the weapons demonstrations that have always been

a part of what we do, we had all that we could handle with the crowds that visited us in Chicago and Waukesha. By the

way, we also won best clan display awards at both of them! We repeated that routine with the addition of the Milwaukee

games in 2013, awards and all. Exhausted by it all, but totally invigorated, we decided to break out of our comfort zone and

add four more events to our schedule in 2014. What were we thinking?!

All in all, it was the perfect call. We have had a lot of fun & reaped the benefits of meeting many new friends and family. We

have won awards in every event we attended this year and that is great, but that isn’t why we do what we do. We are

passionate about Clan Gunn! We find great joy in the expressions on the faces of families, especially the children who are

excited to find out they are Gunn. These kids are our future, and when we get them involved early, the come back and

want to be a part of it all. I was lucky enough to give a little talk at the AGM in New Hampshire about what we do and the

passion we have for Gunn in front of some of the most wonderful people, including the Commander and his lovely wife. It

was an honor, and the enthusiasm in that room was infectious. I guess that means next year will be even more eventful. We

hope to see you in our travels!

Until then, AUT PAX AUT BELLUM

The Clan Gunn 18th International Gathering 2015

The itinerary and booking form for The Clan Gunn 18th International Gathering 2015 can be found

online at www.clangunn.us. The tour will begin in the Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall, Orkey on July 18,

2015 and will conclude with a closing service at Kildonan Kirk, Kildonan Strath near Helmsdale on

July 26, 2015. The approximate cost, as of October 21, 2015 is $784.00 if the entire event package

is purchased (based on a $1.60 exchange rate). If you would like the information mailed to you, please send a request to Rich Gunn (his address is on page 11), and he will make sure one is sent to you.

Correction to the Summer 2014 Gunn Salute:

The Images from Bannockburn 2014 were not intended for publication in the Gunn Salute by

Debra Gunn. The editor apologizes for this error.

Business Tagline or Motto

Some Things Never Change

A Gunn Sight Synopsis of the 39th NH Highland Games

Gregory R. Gunn – Ashford, CT

On September 20th, 2014 my wife Lynne, daughter Rebecca, her friend Taylor Cameron and I started our early morning

drive (0630) to the White Mountains of New Hampshire for the 39th NH Highland Games at Loon Mountain. It was the first

time going to this event for all of us. During the four hour long drive up I couldn’t help, but reflect back on the last time I

visited the White Mountains some 35 years earlier. At that time the “Old Man of the Mountain” could still be seen. I had

heard that he left the side of the Mountain, but I was still looking for him. Sure enough “The Old Man of the Mountain” had

vanished (https://www.google.com/#q=old+man+in+the+mountain). During that visit I hiked to the top of Mount Washington

with a high school friend (David Gasek). When we started out at the bottom it was sunny and 80 degrees by the time we got

to the top it was sleeting and we couldn’t see our hands in front of our face with the fog. We started our chilly decent back

to the base.

Fast forward 35 years. The “Old Man of the Mountain” had certainly left his perch; but the chill in the air remained. The sights

and sounds leading into the festival got our adrenalin running. The way people dressed and the wonderful sound of drums and

bagpipes made for a majestic view. Upon entering the Clan area the first tent we saw was the Clan Gunn tent. It was front

and center as it should be! Clan Gunn was the Honored Clan of the festival.

Inside the tent we meet Abb L. Gunn – World Genealogist Clan Gunn from Georgia, who gave us a warm welcome; but

couldn’t help, but convey his dislike for the chilly conditions considering he was from Georgia. Abb showed us around the

tent, which would be our rendezvous spot to meet up with the girls later on, as they already broke away to navigate the

festival on their own.

From there Lynne and I made our way to the Heavy Games. This was the first time my wife and I saw this competition. We

watched the Caber Toss. We were totally impressed. Our two favorite athletes were Dirk Bishop from Canada and Alistair

Gunn of Scotland. I would have the opportunity to actually meet both at the Clan Gunn tent. Both athletes did a fine job for

such a cold day. It was a better day for pulling muscles; than throwing trees. From the Heavy Games we made our way to the

restrooms. I bring this up because Lynne said they were the best and cleanest portable toilets she had ever seen. We then

had lunch with a Scottish flair to it. There was still a lot to do while searching for a hot chocolate or coffee to warm our

bones. We stopped at many vendors selling all kinds of Scottish items. I happened to catch musician Charlie Zahm on the

recommendation of my cousin Sir Frank Thom Gunn Roberts. Mr. Zahm has a fine voice and was very entertaining. I bought a

CD and had him sign it to Clan Gunn. We then saw a band from Canada called, ‘Searson’. Celtic high energy to say the least! I

was very impressed. They did a cover of a Neil Young song that caught my attention. “Long May you Run’ off the Stills-Young

Band Album. A song which Neil Young played at the closing ceremony in the last Winter Olympic Games Canada held. I met

the band and had them sign a CD (http://www.searsonband.com/). I highly recommend catching them live.

We did find that elusive hot chocolate and enjoyed it. After that it was time to meet up with the girls back at the Clan Gunn

tent. It was cold outside, certainly the coldest ever by most accounts of the regulars we spoke with. Despite the cold

temperature, the warmth coming from inside the Clan Gunn tent was radiant. Inside the tent we had the privilege and honor

to meet Iain Gunn, Commander of Clan Gunn, from Scotland; Rich Gunn, President – CGSNA, their wives and host of other

friendly Clan Gunn members. I also had the opportunity to meet my favorites from the Heavy Games: Alistair Gunn and Dirk

Bishop. I bought the book, ‘History of the Clan Gunn’ by Mark Rugg Gunn. Both Commander Gunn and President Gunn

signed my copy. A must read for any Clan Gunn enthusiast. The conversation within the tent was enlightening. It was very

ironic that I met a Louise Gunn and a Rich Gunn as they’re my parents’ names.

The face of the “Old Man of the Mountain” may have left the White Mountains, but the sights and sounds of the 39th NH

Hampshire Highland Games will live on for generations of Clan Gunn to follow!

The Gunn Salute

Volume 1, Issue 1

The Gunn Salute

The Battle for the Soul of Scotland—Part 1

By Chuck Swann

For more than 200 years, beginning in the mid-1500s, there was an ongoing struggle for the soul of the Church of Scotland. The principal opponents were

the adherents of Episcopalianism and those of Presbyterianism.

The words Episcopalian and Presbyterian do not describe theology. They are simply different methods of church government. Episcopalian government proceeds through bishops, while Presbyterians operated through assemblies of ministers and elected lay elders. In the popular mind, the terms also

represented markedly different liturgical modes of worship.

Martin Luther did not mean to start a Europe-wide religious war among churches and religious factions when he posted his “95 Theses” on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1517. But that is what happened in the ensuing years, not only on the continent, but across the channel in Britain. While

princes and principalities on the continent were debating (and sometimes dying) over the question of whether to remain Roman Catholic or to adopt the

ways of the Protestant Reformation, there was also religious ferment in Britain.

Much-married Henry VIII of England quarreled with the pope as the result of a squalid divorce and in 1534 declared himself to be the supreme head of the church in England. England became Anglo-Catholic. Henry wanted very much for Scotland to be allied with him against France. James V, king of

Scotland, didn’t think he should do that, since he was married to a woman of the French royalty, Mary of Guise.

James V died in 1542, after a short war with England, and his only legitimate offspring, daughter Mary by his French-born second wife, was born just days before his death. This daughter was to be Mary Queen of Scots. She was married off to the Dauphin of France and when he died in 1561, the 19-year-old

Mary Queen of Scots returned to Scotland to assume the throne.

Mary desired for Scotland to be Roman Catholic, in accord with her French upbringing. John Knox and his merry band of Reformation activists begged to

disagree. Mary is reputed to have said, ‘I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.”

Mary reigned in Scotland only six years, fleeing to the protection of her cousin Queen Elisabeth I in England in 1567. She left Scotland partly because of

blunders in her personal life, but not least because Knox had aroused much of the population against her. Elizabeth would later have Mary beheaded.

In 1612, the Protestant Church of Scotland became conjoined Presbyterian and Episcopalian. In 1637, Charles I of England sought to alter the worship of the now-aligned Churches of England and Scotland along more Anglican and Roman lines. A new liturgy was promulgated, but was read only once in Scotland, in Edinburgh’s St. Giles Cathedral on Sunday, July 23. There are several versions of what happened. A widely repeated version has a woman

named Jenny Geddes hurling her stool at the reader and shouting, ‘Will you say mass at my lug (ear)?” Officers had to be summoned to remove some

women from the church.

All Scotland, except in the Western Isles, where much of the population remained staunchly Roman Catholic, broke into revolt over the king’s attempt to impose the new liturgy. The National Covenant was drawn up and signed by Presbyterians all over Scotland, who would not tolerate dictation from

Parliament or Crown.

The Covenant was not a charter of rebellion, but it resulted in civil war. It was a determined effort to stop, once and for all, governmental and royal interference with Scotland’s religious affairs. The episcopate collapsed before the fury of the people and the Episcopalian leaders had to leave the country.

In 1639, the armies of the King and the Covenanters grimly faced each other in what became known as the “killing time.”

Eventually, King Charles I gave in to the Scottish demands, but political and ecclesiastical troubles continued to embroil the Scottish church. After a revolt

resulted in the execution of Charles I, Scotland was ruled by Cromwell as a subject province of England. The Cromwellians hated Presbyterianism and

Episcopalianism about equally, preferring the austere English Puritan approach to religion.

The restoration of the English monarchy, which brought Charles II to the throne, also brought back episcopacy. Charles II’s reign ushered in an era of

ecclesiastical darkness and indifference, with the crown seeking to force the churches into slavish obedience to royal supremacy.

Presbyterian ministers who resisted the demands of the crown were hunted, arrested, even tortured. Some bravely raised again the battle cry of the Covenant. “They were hunted and shot like rabbits on the moors and hills,” wrote Charles L. Warr. Many died fighting under the rebellion banners of

Donald Cargill and Richard Cameron. (Some of Cameron’s followers later became the nucleus of Scotland’s 26th Regiment of Foot, known as the

Cameronian Rifles. Until its dissolution, every recruit into the regiment was given a Bible in memory of Richard Cameron.)

“This, Presbyterianism’s time of horror, was a generation of spiritual stagnation and bloody oppression over which every Scottish churchman would

thankfully draw a veil,” said Warr of the episode. “But if we are to understand the Scottish psychology, we must remember that from it dates both that

profound aversion to episcopacy and that stubborn loyalty to the Presbyterian system which are woven into the very soul of Scotland.”

--To be continued.


The Gunn Salute

Branch Commissioners of Clan Gunn Florida Northwestern Southern Prairies Viking Branch

Charlie Kehm AK, OR, WA, ID AR, MO IA, MN, ND, SD

440 CR 720 Kathleen Elsner Kent Burson David Ziemer

Clewiston FL 33440 2701 Kulshan St 1533 Hayselton Dr 1121 Woods Edge Dr

(863) 983-8458 Bellingham WA 98225 Jefferson City MO 65109 Hartford WI 53027

(306) 671-8528 (573) 636-9906 (262) 670-0329

Steve & Sandy Wilson

4123 Old Dominion Rd Dani Na’Fey Yankee Andrew Martin

Orlando FL 32812-7912 3214 96th St South #A9 CT, MA, ME, NH, RI,VT 6975 Lark Ave

(407) 855-1759 Lakewood WA 98499 Rev Dean Bulpett Hartford WI 53027

(206) 794-3565 164 Boston Rd (414) 916-1242

Milt & Harriet Wilson North Billerica MA 01862

14820 NE 8th Court Shawn McWilliams (978) 633-9199 David Bricker

North Miami FL 33161 2029 S Hilton St 6975 Lark Ave

(305) 944-3471 Boise ID 83705 Dick Platt Hartford WI 53027

(208) 440-9115 132 Platt Lane (414) 412-7481

Andrew P Wiley Milford CT 06461-2054

5329 Yerkes St Central Rocky Mountain (203) 878-6094 Western Great Lakes

Jacksonville FL 32205 AZ, NV, NM (IL, WI)

(904) 710-3909 Neil & Jobeth Fjell Stephen R Olsen Jeff Growel

2715 W Cholla St 1744 Main Street 271 Hartford Rd

Brittany Mae Goodwin Apache Junction AZ 85220 Concord MA 01742 Slinger WI 53086

6247 Savannah Breeze Ct #201 (480) 236-3291 (978) 369-4373 (Hm) (414) 315-4003

Tampa FL 33625 (617) 943-2271 (Cell) (813) 335-2249 Texas Jon Yuds

Heather Smith Northern California 222 Joellen Dr

Georgia 521 Berryhill Dr Fresno to OR Border Waukesha WI 53188

Greg Maness Mansfield TX 76063 Chuck Jamison (414) 412-7481

1880 Briarcliff Circle Apt B (806) 773-8701 9382 Blue Oak Dr

Atlanta GA 30329 Orangevale CA 95662 Eastern Seaboard (DE, PA)

(678) 938-7695 Gene Gunn (916) 989-3953 Amanda Greene

36 River Bluff Dr 209 Sheffield Lane

Diane Curtis Lytle TX 78052-3718 Michelle Beagle Oxford PA 19363

3092 Spring Hill Pkwy Apt B (830) 709-5013 237 Walker Valley Rd (610) 998-9878

Smyrna GA 30080 Castroville CA 95012

(404) 886-6588 Gordon Fogleman (831) 594-1203 Paradise (HI)

25110 Knob Pines Ct Steve Craven

Suzanne Maness Spring TX 77389 Jerred Gunn 7365 Makaa St

1880 Briarcliff Circle Apt B 2575 Freeport Blvd Honolulu HI 96825

Atlanta GA 30329 Western Prairies Sacramento CA 95818 (808) 395-0870 (678) 938-7695 KS, NE, OK (916) 448-0130

Sean E Manning Rocky Mountain (CO, WY)

Cason Slaughter P.O. Box 3567 Chuck Gunn Les Swanson

102 Pinewood Ct Tulsa OK 74101 3545 W Dayton P.O. Box 668

Perry GA 31069 (918) 691-1414 Fresno CA 93722 Hugo CO 80821

(404) 357-0042 (559) 276-8104

Chesapeake (DC, MD, VA) Eastern Canada

Dan Myers Debra Smith NB, NL, ON, PE, QC

Delta (AL, LA, MS) 611 E. Main Street 784 Northridge Ctr #152 Ted & Louise Gunn

Elaine Pangallo & Christianburg VA 24073 Salinas CA 93906 10485 Rue Vanier

Cathy Patterson (540) 494-8040 (831) 663-3941 Quebec QC

107 Circle Dr Canada G2B 3N4

Enterprise AL 36330 Great Lakes (IN, MI) Southern California (418) 842-6563

(334) 393-0216 Jim & Susanne Swanney Mexican Border to Fresno

(334) 406-7380 (Cell) 206 East Lawrence Mara Gunn Central Canada (AL, MB, SK)

Royal Oak MI 48073 P.O. Box 1973 Debra Lynn (Gunn) Kuzub

Southern Highlands (NC, SC) (248) 588-2741 Newport Beach CA 92659 355 Parkway Blvd

James & Monika Bigsby (949) 548-1551 Flin Flon MB

410 N Chapel St Gregory Gunn-(OH) Canada R8A OK2

Landis NC 28088 P.O. Box 426 Empire (NJ, NY) (204) 687-4298

(704) 855-1566 Swanton OH, 43558 Tim Nelson

(419) 388-9415 29 Freemont St International and UK

Volunteer State (TN) Tonawanda NY 14150 Liason Officer

Justin Mann Boone Country (KY, WVA) (716) 440-8463 Lin Robinson

320 Abbey Road Gregory Gunn 1415 Briarcliff Rd

Kingsport TN 37663 P.O. Box 426 Shelby NC 28152 (834) 513-3515 Swanton OH, 43558 (704) 481-9273

The Gunn Salute

Officers of the Society About the Society President Rich Gunn The Clan Gunn Society of North America is dedicated

10294 Meuret Road to the advancement of kinship and knowledge of the Wilton CA 95693 heritage of Clan Gunn and its septs, and of Scottish (916) 687-8510 history and culture. It is fraternally related to the Clan

Gunn Society of Great Britain. Immediate Past Sam Johnson President 110 Cloudland Park Rd Our goals, and the purposes for which the corporation Dahlonega GA 30533 was organized are:

(706) 864-6723 • to stimulate and promote a spirit of kinship among the First Vice- Donald E Wilson the members of the Society throughout the continent of

President 3957 Weybridge Way North America and between this Society and the Clan Antelope CA 95843 Gunn Society of Great Britain. (916) 338-5889

• to foster, promote and honor our Scottish heritage and Second Vice- Charlie Kehm traditions. President 440 CR 720

Clewiston FL 33440 • to stimulate and inspire among the members, the pride (863) 983-8458 and spirit of their ancestors, with the particular emphasis on the ancestry of the members as it pertains to the

Recording Barbara Wilson surname of Gunn and the surnames of the septs Secretary 5205 Brawner Place historically associated with the Clan Gunn. Alexandria VA 22304 (703) 212-9555 • to preserve the history, records, and artifacts of the

Clan Gunn Membership Alise Erickson Secretary 4115 E Lanager Ct • to individually provide and render, through the conduit

Nampa ID 83687 of the Society, aid and comfort to members of the Society. (208) 250-8943 • to provide to the extent practical, aid, comfort and

Treasurer Jerred Gunn hospitality to persons of Scottish ancestry. 2575 Freeport Blvd Sacramento CA 95818 The Commander of the Clan and Name of Gunn is

(916) 448-0130 Iain Alexander Gunn of Banniskirk, Swiney House, Lybster, Caithness KW36BT, Scotland

Chaplain (Vacant)

Membership inquiries are invited. Dues are $20.00 (US) per Historian (Vacant) family and are payable on the anniversary of your membership. Please send new applications and renewals

to the Membership Secretary. The application for new Society Pipers Heather Gunn Haskell (East Coast) members as well as the renewal application can be found 2622 Governor Street on-line at: www.clangunn.us. In addition, renewal

Garden City, GA 31408 applications can be processed on-line. (912) 964-6119

Chuck Jamison (West Coast) 9382 Blue Oak Dr. The Gunn Salute is the Quarterly Newsletter of the Orangevale, CA 95662 Clan Gunn Society of North America (ISSN 0738-4886)

(916) 989-3953 To submit information for the newsletter, please send an e-mail to: [email protected] Gunn Salute Editor/Publisher

Genealogists Abb L. Gunn Heather Smith

2403 Treeridge Parkway 521 Berryhill Dr Alpharetta GA 30022 Mansfield TX 76063

(770) 552-6775 (806) 773-8701 Eastern Deputy

Barbara Terpening Westford Knight P.O. Box 314 Representative Fairburn GA 30213-0314 Norman B Biggart

(770) 964-5373 4 Baron Park Lane; Apt 1 Burlington MA 01803-5431 Western Deputy (781) 272-1537

(Vacant) Branch Vacancies Northern District (MT, UT) and Western Canada (BC, Yukon)

AGM Minutes

September 19, 2014 Loon Mountain, New Hampshire

President, Rich Gunn, called the meeting to order at 7:20 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. All present were asked to introduce

themselves.

Barbara Wilson said 425 ballots had been received regarding the by-laws amendments. 15 were “no” votes on either one or the other

amendment, or both, the remaining were “yes” votes. A motion was made and seconded to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the

2013 AGM as it is printed in the Salute. Rich Gunn gave a report on the elections. Due to unforeseen problems the ballots for election of

officers was late appearing in the Salute, so at this date only about 50 ballots had been received and the current slate of officers will still be

in office. The next election will be held in 2016, and Vice President Don Wilson has indicated he would be interested in becoming

President, so Rich will be working with him with this in mind.

The Treasurer reported that we have about $9,100 in the bank, but the games expenses are going up. A discussion was held regarding the

requirement (mostly in the Southeast) that participant clans be required to purchase sponsorships in order to hold a tent. Rich said that

according to our by-laws all Commissioners are required to file a report after their games, but very few do so. In the future he may

withhold reimbursement for sponsorships or game reimbursements for those Commissioners who do not file the required reports.

The membership today stands at 1,114 vs. 873 a year ago. However, we need to work to get younger people interested. Genealogist Abb

Gunn said he is reluctant to put our genealogical archives on the internet due to privacy issues as many listed individuals are still alive. He

needs more genealogies to be submitted by members but he only gives genealogies for immediate family members. He recommends using

DNA and he uses Family Tree DNA. They have a Gunn project. He has 200,000 names in his computer database. The Storekeeper sells

Clan Gunn products in the Salute and on line. The store profit is up this year. Membership renewals are up 57% on line.

The group then had an extensive discussion of the Benny Gay affair. Documents were passed around concerning minutes of the 2 ½ hour

telephone discussion by the Executive Committee on this matter in November, 2013. It was decided to not ratify the action taken by the

Executive Committee in November. A motion was made to this effect by Cornelia Jenness and seconded by Abb Gunn. After further

discussion it was decided to amend the previous motion to now reinstate Benny’s membership immediately. For the next two years Bennie

must check with the local representative before visiting a Clan Gunn tent. This motion was made and seconded by the same members as

shown above. A vote by hands was taken to approve the first amendment to disapprove the actions of the Executive Committee. Results -

2 opposed and 29 in favor. After more discussion the second amendment was approved. Results - 26 in favor and 1 - abstain, none

opposed.

Rich then read a letter from the Wisconsin Commissioner, Jeff Growel, thanking Clan Gunn for keeping up Scottish heritage. David Ziemer,

co-Commissioner for Wisconsin has brought a slide show presentation on some of the things they are doing in their area to interest young

people, which we were able to see before the end of the meeting.

The 2015 International Gathering was discussed, with Commander Iain Gunn giving a talk on what was planned. They will go to Orkney for

3 days and the remainder of the time in Caithness. The dates are July 18-26, 2015.

A visit to the Westford Knight site will be held on Sunday, Sept. 21 and Dave Brody will meet the group and give a talk on the Knight.

There were gifts given to Margaret and Dean Bulpett and Iain and Bunty. Iain and Rich were given gifts by Clan Gunn of Nova Scotia

representative, Ian Gunn.

Rich announced the AGM for 2015 will possibly be held in Florida, with the 2016 AGM possibly in Chicago.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 in order for pictures to be taken for publication in the Salute.

Respectfully Submitted

Barbara Wilson Recording Secretary

The Gunn Salute

The Gunn Salute

Flowers of the Forest

Homer Nelson, Jackson OH

Robert Mains, Kentwood MI

Lester Gunn, Idaho

James G. "Jimmy" Gunn, age 76, of Thomasville, Alabama passed away peacefully on

Friday, September 5, 2014 at his home. He was born on April 15, 1938 in Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Alabama on a

full scholarship and received both his bachelor's and master's degree from there. One of his

most fond memories of college was performing in the Million Dollar Band. Through the

years he continued to perform with various groups. He served as principal oboist with the

Mobile Symphony and Gulf Coast Symphony and played with the Mobile Pops as well as

being an orchestra member of the Mobile Opera and Mobile Ballet. He was the Band Director

at Thomasville High School for 19 years where he developed an award winning concert band.

He not only taught students music, he taught them lessons on life. Proud of his Scottish

Heritage, he served as President of the Clan Gunn Society of North America, the Scottish

Society of Mobile where he served as President for 2 terms as well as being the Delta

Commissioner for Clan Gunn for 20 years. Attending several Scottish Games through the

years, he won the "bonniest knees" contest a few times and had award winning shortbread. In

2010, Jimmy was honored to be the founding conductor of the "Flying Bricks" Community

Band. He took great joy in that and continued as the conductor until 2012. In 2011, he was

named Thomasville's Senior Citizen of the Year. He was a lifelong member of the Episcopal

Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Frieda Gunn and sister, Emma

Durkin. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Mary Niles Gunn of Thomasville, AL;

three children, Jay (Vicky) Gunn of Summerdale, AL, daughter, Meg (Tim) Raley of

Thomasville, AL and Ryan (Teresa) Gunn of Mobile, AL; nine grandchildren, Kelley, Grady

and Mary Katherine Gunn all of Summerdale, AL; Chandler and Laura Beth Caldwell of

Birmingham, AL; Alexis, Taylor and Olivia Gunn of Sweetwater, AL and Zachary Johnson

of Birmingham, AL; niece, Darlene Durkin of Philadelphia, PA; his constant companions,

Chip and Annabelle; very special friends, Pearl and Will Slay, Emma Lanier and the caring

members of Trinity Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends on Saturday,

September 13, 2014 at 10:00a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Demopolis with a memorial

service beginning at 11:00a.m. with Reverend J. D. Barnes officiating. Memorials may be

made to St. Jude, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. "Patient, gentle, devoted and

Gunn Salute Submission Schedule (Below is a schedule of when articles, etc. are due to the editor, however, there could be times where

additional time is needed before the Salute is ready for publishing)

[email protected]

*December 31, 2014

*March 31, 2015

*June 30, 2015

*September 30, 2015

https://givalike.org/dm/James%20Gunn/R/1483645/Nonprofit-Directory/Nonprofit/620646012/St-Jude-Childrens-Research-Hospital


The Gunn Salute

CLAN GUNN STORE

LADIES CLAN GUNN T-SHIRT Comes in a beautiful Aquatic Blue color

with a softer feel to it.

Small through 2X.

$25.00—$27.00 inc. shipping

NEW CLAN GUNN LUGGAGE TAGS! Eco Friendly made with 100% Corn Plastic

Color: Agriculture Green Reverse holds a business card or name/

address

Clan Gunn Adjustable Hats - Khaki/Dark Green,

Black, Khaki/Navy $25.00 inc. shipping

<><><><><><><><>

Clan Gunn History Books—PRICE TEMPORARILY REDUCED FROM $16.00 TO $12.00.

Sale Extended Until December 31, 2014

CGSNA MEMBERSHIP REMINDER:

You can pay your membership renewal at the Clan Gunn website!!!

ALL PRICES INCLUDE SHIPPING

Tel: (707) 525-9637 or E-Mail: [email protected]

Mail Order to: Storekeeper, Clan Gunn Store

P. O. Box 7992, Santa Rosa, CA 95407-0992

SEE ALL OUR ITEMS ON OUR WEBSITE : CLANGUNN.us/main.htm

Volume 1, Issue 1

The Gunn Salute AGM Minutes

Festival News

James Bigsby, Commissioner, Southern Highlands

Monika and I attended the Grandfather Mt. Highland Games July 10-13, 2014. We had a really good turnout of Gunns again this year. It

is the time of year to see old friends like Jerry & Patsy Wilson, Dave Gailey and Sam & Betty Johnson. A real good time to

make new friends from all over the states. J. Wilson(AL) ,W. Wolfe(TX) , J. Johnson(NC) , A. Watts (NC) , H. Robinson

(NC) , T. Robinson(MS) , P. Martin(GA) , D. Swan(NC), J. Farmer(FL). We also renewed some friends M. Goff(TX) , J.

James(AL) , W. Storm(MD) and M. Elms. Issiah Watts, one of our younger members tried to recruit a tug-of-war team. I

am afraid he did not get enough interest, but I sure thought about it. I am looking forward to Charleston SC in September

and Laurinburg NC in October. Who knows, I may even sneak into GA in October to Stone Mountain. James and

Monika Bigsby will be stepping down as Commissioners for NC and SC. If you are interested in being a Commis-

sioner for the Southern Highlands (NC, SC), please contact Rich Gunn.

Wisconsin Highland Games

opening Ceremony—pictured

is Jeff Growel from Clan Gunn

opening the proceedings with

a torch ceremony honoring

the clans.

Clan Gunn marching

with Wisconsin Scottish

in the Milwaukee St.

Patrick’s Day Parade

Clan Gunn presenting a weapons

demonstration at the Iowa Renaissance

Faire. Pictured are James Carey (friend),

Stephan Growel and Jeff Growel

Clan Gunn being announced at the Wisconsin

Highland Games in Waukesha, Wisconsin—

John Yuds and Jeff Growel are pictured

Clan Gunn (Jeff Growel and Stephan

Growel), guarding Mary Queen of

Scots at the Irish Fest in Milwaukee,

Wisconsin

Pictures from the Viking Branch

The Gunn Salute

521 Berryhill Dr.

Mansfield, TX 76063

VISIT US ON THE WEB AT: WWW.CLANGUNN.US

THE SEPTS OF CLAN GUNN

Alexander George Gunn, James Magnus Robert Thomas

Allisterson the Crowner Jameson MacMain George MacComas

MacAllister Corner Jamieson MacManus Georgeson MacOmish

Sandeson Croner Jamison Magnus MacGeorge

Sandison Crownar MacHamish Magnusson MacRobb Torquil

Crowner MacSheoras Main MacRory MacCorkhill

Andres Cruiner Mains Robb MacCorkill

Andresson Cruner Maness Robeson MacCorkle

MacChruner Mann Robinson MacCullie

Manson Robison

David Gunn John Manus Robson William

MacDade Ganson Johnson Rorieson MacWilliam

MacDhaidh Gaunson Kean More

Keene Wiley

Henry MacIan Sweyn Will

“Foreigner” Eanrig MacKames Swain Williamson

Gailey Enrick MacKeamis Neil Swan Wills

Galdie Enrig MacKeamish MacNeil Swann Willson

Galley Henderson MacKean Neillson Swanney Wilson

Gallie Inrig MacKeanis Neilson Swannie Wylie

Gauldie MacEnrick MacKendrick Nelson Swanson Wyllie