Highlanders, Post 29 team up
Historic alliance reforms to preserve legacy
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ELKINS -- After 34 years, the legendary West Virginia Highlanders are returning to American Legion H. W. Daniels Post 29 in Elkins, and will now perform under Post 29's banner at parades and events across the state and beyond.
"American Legion H.W. Daniels Post 29 is the new home for the West Virginia Highlanders," Post 29's Donald Lambert told The Inter-Mountain this week.
"From 1947 to 1990, they were the band of Post 29, and then in 1990 they left for an opportunity with Davis & Elkins College, and they are now returning to us.
"It became official in recent weeks with the band's vote to accept our invitation," Lambert said.
"We are extremely excited to welcome the Highlanders, and we are very happy to have them back under the American Legion flag and the Post 29 banner."
The Highlanders' 34-year association with Davis & Elkins College ended earlier this fall, leading to this week's announcement.
"In September, the college notified us there were separating the relationship," the Highlanders' Matt Fair told The Inter-Mountain this week. "We respected their decision, and we contacted the Legion and are very happy that when one door closes, another one opens.
"The members had a vote and it was 100% to accept the Legion's invitation," Fair said.
"We're very appreciative of the Legion, and especially Donnie Lambert, for their offer, and we're very excited about the future."
The West Virginia Highlanders group was founded in 1947 by Post 29. The original leaders of the bagpipe and drum corps were the late David Dare Brown III, who learned to play the bagpipes while serving in World War II; the late Cyrus S. Kump, an Elkins attorney; and the late Benjamin I. Golden, an Elkins surgeon.
The Highlanders are an Elkins institution, and traditionally perform at the opening ceremonies for the annual Mountain State Forest Festival, as well as playing and marching in events around the state and across the country.
"They will participate in and represent Post 29 in parades and at events, as long as there is no conflicting scheduling with their previous arranged commitments," Lambert said. "Their equipment will be stored at the Post, most likely in their old band room. The things that they don't need immediately will be stored in the attic.
"The Highlanders approached us about being affiliated with Post 29 again," Lambert noted. "I had extended that invitation to them years ago, letting them know we would be more than happy to have them back, and now that opportunity has presented itself. It's nice to have them back where they started."
The Highlanders are hoping to expand their membership while representing Post 29.
"We're looking forward to an exciting year," Fair said. "In 2027, we'll be celebrating our 80th anniversary. We're looking for new members to help celebrate that milestone, and we're looking forward to the Legion's sponsorship.
"As always, we are looking for potential members. Those people who may have been in bands before, and are interested in playing with us, that is terrific. We offer instruction, and we provide instruments and uniforms to those people who show interest and commitment.
"You don't have to have musical experience. We'll teach you and we will equip you," Fair said.
"We meet Wednesday nights upstairs at the Legion Hall at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in the Highlanders can show up for one of the meetings and see what it's all about. After the New Year, on Jan. 8, the first Wednesday in January, we will start our practices back up."
Lambert said the renewed partnership will have a positive impact on the community.
"The longterm goal is to bring more people into the band, and hopefully Post 29 can help facilitate that," he said. "'I expect to see a lot of good things come out of this relationship."