L. L. Bean is showing tartan shirts in its new catalog. There are five different patterns, each dedicated to one of the armed services. Each shirt has a tag in the collar identifying the service: “U.S. Coast Guard Tartan.”
At first it didn't look like the official CG tartan, but maybe that's because it's a smaller design than what's on the kilt:
quote:
The design of the United States Coast Guard Tartan was inspired by the family Tartan of Alexander Hamilton, the founder of the Revenue-Marine, and the 'father' of the modern day U.S. Coast Guard. Each color of the Tartan signifies the following:
Red: Symbolizes the courage and sacrifice of the men and women of the Coast Guard and its predecessor services, and their families, in war and peace for more than 200 years.
White: There are 10 threads of white representative of the original 10 Revenue Cutters commissioned by Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton in 1790. They were: the Massachusetts, Scammel, Active, Eagle, Diligence, Argus, Vigilant, Virginia, South Carolina and General Greene.
Blue: Symbolizes the seas and skies plied by cutters and aircraft of the Coast Guard as they carry out their missions to serve and protect. . .
. . . It is important to understand that one does not have to be Scottish to wear the Tartan, but you do have to be Active, Reserve, Auxiliary, Retired or an immediate family member of the foregoing to make up our Coast Guard family. Each individual contributes to the Coast Guard Family and each member represents a thread ... we do not stand alone. This is what makes our Coast Guard family so special.
This young country, being as diverse as it is, learned early that so many nations have much to offer. We adopt ideas and traditions from many countries. The use of a Tartan, recognizing a school, organization or branch of the military in the U.S. has become commonplace. Now, the U.S. Coast Guard has its own; to be used the way it was hundreds of years ago in Scotland as a way to identify one as a member in the Coast Guard 'Clan.'
Too bad the pipe band can't follow the regs... Directly from the CG Uniform Regs:
quote:
4.E.2. Use of Coast Guard Tartan ...Coast Guard standard insignia is not authorized for wear with the Coast Guard Tartan Pipe and Pipe and Drum Band uniforms. If insignia are desired, they must be other than standard military insignia.
Now, the Auxies, being a civilian organization may very be within the regs...
The fine young lassie is wearing a tartan skirt, which is neither the manly garb of the Highlandman, nor the trews (pants) of the sissy Englishman.
You're right. I just couldn't tell until I zoomed in a bit. Looks like one of the "Black Watch" tartans -- though, being of Irish descent, I am certainly not any kind of expert on Scottish stuff.
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