Emperor1956
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Joined: 11/7/2005
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FR: In an effort to calm this nastyfest, among people I (mostly) respect, or at least tolerate:
quote:
MadHatter (snipped, at the end of a series of long posts) You have spent the last few posts pontificating about THE tradtions that THE Old Guard follow so I would be most interested in knowing what exactly THE traditions are so I can spot THE Old Guard.
I AM Old Guard*, and I am glad to answer your questions:
Things to look for in identifying "The Old Guard", taken from our recent (October, 2006) celebration of our 225th anniversary (the anniversary of the Battle of Lexington):
- the ceremonial presentation of the British commanders’ sword to General Washington’s second-in-command, General Benjamin Lincoln;
- the methodical surrendering of British regimental flags and musical instruments
- the grounding of British weapons, regiment by regiment.
Among our deeply held traditions:
Wreath laying ceremony at the French Memorial in memory of French war veterans.
Wreath laying ceremony at the grave of Governor Thomas Nelson, Jr. at Grace
Episcopal Church.
Wreath laying ceremony at Redoubts 9 and 10. Sponsored by Tidewater German Society. Yorktown Battlefield.
Dedication of new sign at the French Memorial, marking the end of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W-3R). The W-3R follows, for 600 miles through 9 states, the route taken by the American and French armies from Newport, Rhode Island to reach Yorktown prior to the siege. (French Memorial, Yorktown Battlefield)
Program in remembrance of French soldiers killed during the Siege of Yorktown, to include commemorative ceremony at the College of William & Mary’s Wren Building and living history presentation at Colonial Williamsburg. (Wren Building, College of William & Mary)
Battle of the Hook Re-enactment. (Endview Plantation)
Re-enactment of French Attack on Fusilier’s Redoubt. (Endview Plantation)
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*Sgt.Maj. 3rd U.S. Inf. (Hon.)
Confused? You don't need to be: The Old Guard is the oldest infantry unit in the active Army, predating the Constitution of the United States to 1784. As a unit of the Military District of Washington, the 3rd U.S. Infantry is charged with the unique mission of serving as the U.S. Army's official ceremonial unit, performing tactical infantry missions and providing security for the nation's capital.
My point? Many Military and quasi-military reenactors use the term "Old Guard" to denote something venerable, respectable and honored. There are "Old Guards" all over the globe, mine happens to be American. Is it any surprise, then, that people co-opt the term to describe a fantasy of old-line, honorable kink if they are themselves into kink and seeking a link to the past? Indeed, do you think the term as used post-WWII in certain large cities to denote the gay leather motorcycle culture is an accident?
The difference is, of course, MY "Old Guard" -- the military reenactor group -- has a verifiable, traceable history with traditions, conditions and ... well...history. As Archer, SimplyMichael and some others correctly point out, that history is lacking in the B/D/S/M context, except as well documented (and for God's sake, here on CM, well cited) memoirs of several aging or sadly now gone gay activists.
Now, can't we all just get along, or do I have to bring out the musket and put some grape shot up some anal canals?
E.
_____________________________
"When you wake up, Pooh," said Piglet, "what's the first thing you say?"
"What's for breakfast? What do you say, Piglet?"
"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?"
Pooh nodded thoughtfully.
"It's the same thing," he said.
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RE: Old Guard? - 
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