McILQUHAM Archibald "Scotty" McIlquham, 80, died Wednesday, March 1, 2006. A retired First Sergeant of the Air Force spent nearly three decades of his life proudly serving his country in three branches of the United States military, the Navy, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. Mr. McIlquham fought in World War II, the Korean War and, served in the military until his retirement in 1964. Mr. McIlquham was the husband of Gloria (Murray) McIlquham, whom he married in 1945. They were married for 50 years, until Gloria's sudden and untimely passing in 1995. Mr. McIlquham was an honored and decorated World War II and Korean War veteran, receiving the Air Force Commendation medal twice. After his retirement, he and his wife resided on Long Island, New York until he returned to his home state of Ohio in 1994. Mr. McIlquham was extremely active in the Masons, the Shriners (served as Potentate), WW2-U.S.S. Finch Reunions, Scottish Military Society and the Scottish Clan Lamont. Mr. McIlquham is survived by his three daughters, Gloria Ann Dickerson of Westerville, Oh, Mary Ellen Bayer of Long Island, NY and Joan Bartucci of Ontario, Canada; a son, John D. McIlquham of Basking Ridge, NJ; nine grandchildren, Kimberly, Christopher, Scott, Joseph, Lauren, David, Robert, Allison, and Emily; and one great-grandchild. His daughter, Ellen, died shortly after her birth in 1958. Family will receive friends Saturday from 6-8 p.m. and Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 6699 N. High St., Worthington (1/2 mile south of I-270). Masonic services at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Graveside service will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

In addition to the facts reported above, I’d like to remind you of what Scotty meant to Post 1813.  He (along with first Post Commander Bob McKinlay) was the driving force in establishing this post.  There has been a SAMS presence in Columbus since shortly after its formation in 1981, but there had never been a successful post in Ohio – Cincinnati had one for a short time, but for whatever reasons, it folded.  We are now the only post in Ohio, and because of Scotty’s and Bob’s early leadership, have a strong post which takes part in many civic functions.

Scotty hosted the organizational meetings and several of the first regular meetings were held at his home.  He served as the post’s first Adjutant and later as its second commander.  He also served as Quartermaster since our inception.  He was very much “into” our ROTC awards and attended those as his health permitted.  You could find him at the annual Reynoldsburg Tartan Day Celebration manning our recruiting table with Barb or filling in on the color guard as required.  Up to his final illness, he was e-mailing information to the troops.

Well done, First Sergeant!

No discussion about Scotty’s later years would be complete without thanking his companion of the past ten – Barbara Boerstler.  She was always a smiling presence with him at meetings and events.  As his sight and health failed, Barb was there to see he got where he needed to go.  We share her loss.  Thanks, Barb!
 
In other matters, Glenn Morrison has volunteered to become Post Quartermaster.  He’s restocking items we need. We’ll be attending the Reynoldsburg Tartan Day on April 1 and the proclamation ceremonies at the Statehouse on April 6.  It’s not too early to start thinking about the Ohio Games in late June.

SICK CALL -  Both Jack Guyselman and George Sharp are at home recovering.  Hope to see them both at the next meeting or before.

All the best  (or as Scotty would end it, AYE)

Dick

Our December meeting and Christmas party was held at the 94th Aero Squadron.  After the meal, we were treated to an excellent program on the Ohio Guard’s participation in the relief efforts for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  There was a visual presentation with commentary  by LTC Jerry Rees and a talk by CPT Jodie McFee, who was deployed  to the area for approximately a month in a support mission.  We’re extremely happy they accepted our invitation to join SAMS, and are now our newest members.  We look forward to their energy and ideas in growing and keeping this a successful post.

We had a gift exchange, at which everybody got exactly what they wanted – right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scotty’s funeral at Forest Lawn Cemetery was very impressive.  We were honored to pipe the casket into the chapel to the tune “Going Home”, where Rev. Dick Ellsworth, a charter member and first Vice Commander of the post, preached the service. Our chaplain, John Palmer, also spoke.  After a touching tribute by Scotty’s son, the Air Force honor guard played TAPS and fired the traditional salute.  We then played “Amazing Grace” as the Air Force NCOIC presented the flag to Scotty’s grandson Joe – a Special Forces captain- who in turn presented it to Scotty’s son.