Commission Letter

 Clansmen -
I am truly humbled for the honour of being nominated and confirmed as Commander of this unique Family.
For  nearly twenty years we have sponsored tents at various Scottish events,  published newsletters, met annually, and bonded together our several  thousand kinsmen from over 20 countries.
We have both uncovered our  history and challenged family legend. We have worked to both discover  and preserve our heritage: conducting historical, genealogical and DNA  research, capturing the scattered history of our family and of its  migration. It is because of an intense and enduring pride in name and  family and of that unique trait called kinship that we have pursued this  course.
Now recognized by the Court, it gives us a great  opportunity to work with vendors who supply fictitious MacAlpine  heritage items, kilt pins, Family Crests and fictionalized histories. We  will begin to work with these vendors and as we progress, we can  correct the misinformation about our history.
Recognition also opens  up participation in some events where we have not previously been  permitted. More importantly, it is a formal recognition that we are  unique, distinct, different…... If I may say ….. Uncommon.
We are not a sept of somebody else, nor a forgotton name.
Special  thanks goes to all those who have contributed so much to get us here  today; to Kenneth McAlpine who founded this effort so long ago, to the  many officers and members who have nurtured it, and sustained this  effort.
I have had the honour of meeting and enjoying the kinship of  MacAlpines at gatherings in Scotland, Canada, South Africa, England,  Sweden, Australia, New Zealand and all over the US. I look forward to more in the future.
This is an historic moment for our family, one we shall long remember.
For  me, it brings to mind Joel 1, 3 where the prophet commands us “Tell ye  your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and  their children another generation.”
Yours sincerely,
Michael T. McAlpin
Commander