“To commemorate America250, Chicago Scots is proud to salute Veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces as the Honored Clan at our Games. We are also delighted Army veteran John DeBlasio has agreed to receive the Salute to the Chieftan, a ceremonial centerpiece of every Highland Games that happens at dusk. Patriotism is a powerful value that Scots and Americans share. I know you will enjoy our Scottish hospitality as we celebrate America together. Thank you for proving every day that the land of the free IS the home of the brave.”
Gus Noble OBE, President, Chicago Scots
John DeBlasio to Receive Salute to the Chieftan
Distinguished Veteran John DeBlasio, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and Civil Affairs branch will receive the Salute to the Chieftan for his distinguished service which includes being awarded the Bronze Star and Joint Service Commendation Medal.
DeBlasio is a 1989 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served 21 years in active and reserve service with postings in Europe, the Republic of Korea, and the Middle East (Iraq/Jordan). In 2004 he co-founded Sallyport Global Services which became the largest security and facilities management provider to USAID contractors operating in Iraq, as well as to many other key U.S. and global stakeholders.
After selling Sallyport Global Holdings in 2011, DeBlasio took the “Gates-Buffet Giving Pledge” to commit more than 50% of his wealth to charitable causes and founded the Global Peace and Development (GPD) Charitable Trust.
DeBlasio has been a longtime friend of the Chicago Scots. His wife, Heather Holmes DeBlasio, Scottish by heritage, is an active member of Chicago Scots Board of Governors. In 2013, John adopted the State of Illinois’ official tartan, designed by Chicago Scots, as his own tartan.
DeBlasio is Chairman of DT Global, and the DT Institute and Managing Director of Bootstrap Capital. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Illinois Joining Forces Foundation, the Crown Center for Middle East Studies at Brandeis University, the Social Science Foundation (Korbel School of International Affairs at Denver University), the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, and MVP Vets.
A guide to the Honored Clan for Veterans
Next weekend June 12-13, we encourage the families of Veterans and active-military service members to feel the Scottish-ness of our Festival. As members of our Honored Clan for this year’s Games, even if you are not Scottish by birth or by heritage, you can definitely be “Scottish by inclination” for at least one day.
We hope you will immerse yourself in our vibrant celebration of Scottish culture, history, and community. You will hear the best bagpipes in the world, enjoy our ancient athletics, delight in our highland dancing & more. Don’t forget to try haggis, Scotland’s national dish. We even have a kid-friendly Loch Ness Monster in the Children’s Area.
Here are some key touchpoints that tie our military histories together and why we are humbled and honored to celebrate the U.S. Armed Forces as our Honored Clan.
Recruitment
Highland Games, which date back 1,000 years, were an early form of military recruitment. Clan warfare spanned 600 years in Scotland and Clan Chieftains used Highland Games to test the strength, speed and endurance to select the best fighters. You could say, the Scots were born fighting. So, don’t miss seeing the iconic caber toss (1:30 p.m. Saturday). Heavy Athletics is a favorite feature of our Games.
Combat
Scots immigrants have fought in the U.S. military since its inception. They were foundational to the Continental Army during the American Revolution, formed dedicated Scottish units in the Civil War, and have served with distinction across every major American conflict into the modern era. Many Scottish Americans view their U.S. military service and Scottish heritage as deeply intertwined. The Scottish American Military Society (SAMS) is dedicated to preserving the customs of both.
Piping
Scots have famously played bagpipes in warfare for hundreds of years. In the 17th and 18th centuries, clans used bagpipes to disorient enemies and coordinate charges with such success that the British ruled bagpipes an official instrument of war. In WWII the “Mad Piper of D-Day” was Scotsman Bill Millin who waded ashore at Sword Beach to provide a crucial morale boost to Allied troops pushing forward and lived to tell the tale. Our Highland Games is host to the largest pipe band competition in North America. This year 59 bands are competing including 4x world champion the Inveraray & District Pipe Band, who are making a rare U.S. visit at our Games. You will hear the best pipers in the world.
Tartan
Scotland’s own tradition of military tartans is centuries old. But it wasn’t until the 1980’s that Scottish weavers began designing U.S. military tartans to honor Americans stationed in Scotland in WWII. Visit the ScotlandShop’s booth at our Games to see samples of every U.S. Military Tartan. Chicago Scots (officially known as the Illinois Saint Andrew Society) have our own tartan. In 2012 our tartan was adopted by the Illinois State legislature as the official tartan of the State of Illinois.
Camaraderie
The USO and Salvation Army had massive hospitality operations in Scotland during WWII for 900,000 American troops heading to the front lines which fostered lasting ties of camaraderie. In 1945, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was gifted use of the top floor of Culzean Castle for his personal use for the duration of his lifetime as a gesture of thanks for his leadership as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. Eisenhower traveled there four times, once as President, to paint and golf. Be sure to visit USO Illinois’ booth in ‘Clans and Organizations’ while you are at the Games to see how they support 1..3 million active-duty U.S. service members and their families. And, play the Highland Games raffle, too. You could win a 7-night stay at Culzean Castle thanks to the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA and walk the same grounds as General Eisenhower.
Meet Our Veteran Partner Organizations
Illinois has over 450,000 Veterans and ranks in the top 10 states with the largest veteran population. These are the Veteran Partner organizations making a difference in the lives of Illinois Veterans and active-duty service members attending our Games. Special thanks to Scottish Government USA, too, for its support of our cultural programs all year long:
Military Tartan
Every year at our Scottish Festival & Highland Games, the Chicago Scots feature a family or an organization as our Honored Clan. This year, to recognize and celebrate its’ strong Scottish roots, our Honored Clan is Rotary International. We are proud to announce that Rotary International’s Scottish President, Gordon McInally has agreed to lead our Parade of Tartans at 12:30 p.m. Gordon will also receive the Salute to the Chieftain from the Massed Pipe Bands at approximately 6.30pm on Saturday, June 15, 2024.