William “Bill” Millin is remembered for playing bagpipes during the D-Day landing in Normandy. During the war, British Army regulations restricted bagpipes to rear areas. Bill’s commander, Simon Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat, Commander of 1 Special Service Brigade, ordered Bill to play during the landing. When Bill mentioned regulations, he recalled Lovat saying, “Ah, but that’s the English War Office. You and I are both Scottish, and that doesn’t apply.” Bill played "Hielan' Laddie" and "The Road to the Isles" as his comrades fell around him on Sword Beach. Millin recalled later that he’d spoken with captured German snipers who claimed they did not shoot at him because they thought he was crazy. Long remembered and honored, Bill passed away in August of 2010.
Thanks to all the thousands of servicemen who have sacrifice! - John B
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