The SigEp Patriots Project (SPP) ended 2012 with,
- 3,686 SigEp Patriots in the Project database;- 102 brothers-in-arms receiving email via the SPP list serve;
- 712 pages of stories and information about brothers who serve/served in the U.S. military;
- 637 photographs of military brothers;
- 548 SigEp Patriots are members of SigEps Who Serve – the Official Facebook group of SPP, and
- 37 brothers volunteering at chapters around the country as a liaison or point of contact (POC) with SPP in a mutually beneficial relationship of sharing and remembrance.
07 JAN 1941
DE Alpha Brother G. H. Kadel entered the U.S. Army on this date.
09 JAN 1941
On this date, IL Alpha Brother Joseph Metcalf Hissem joined the U.S. Navy Reserve and received a commission as an Ensign. He would go on to heroically serve at the Battle of Midway and made the ultimate sacrifice being reported missing in action / buried at sea.
08 JAN 1943
After graduating from Purdue, IN Alpha Brother William J. Meyer, Jr. entered the Army
on this date.
10 JAN 1943
On this date, World War II Veteran and WA Alpha Brother
Captain Ben Francis Ferguson, U.S.
Army performed gallantly at Guadalcanal while leading his company to an assault
position in the face of intense enemy fire. He proceeded to direct an
enveloping movement towards the objective, resulting in the occupation of the
enemy’s position. For this, he was cited for bravery in action and awarded the
Silver Star on 24 MAR 1943.
11 JAN 1944
TX Alpha Brother T.
Roland Parrett entered the Army on this date.
12 JAN 1944
On this date, TX Alpha Brother Richard T. Scott joined the Army Air Force and served in the
medical corps. 13 JAN 1944
A ship named in honor of Brother Hissem was commissioned on this date, Lieutenant Commander W. W. Low in command. The ship, USS Hissem, was a Destroyer Escort of the EDSALL class, with the designation DE-400. It was launched by Brown Shipbuilding Company, Houston, TX, and sponsored by Miss Elizabeth D. Hissem, Joseph’s sister. Hissem received one battle star for World War II service.
07 JAN 1946
Entering the service before the attack on Pearl Harbor, World
War II Veteran and DC Alpha Brother First Lieutenant Thomas J. McCall, U. S. Army was released from service on this date
following more than five years of service.
08 JAN 1946
On this date, NE Alpha Brother Sergeant Purman Y. Rembe, U.S. Army Air Corps was
discharged from the Army. During nearly three years of military service,
Brother Rembe spent 26 months overseas.
08 JAN 1963
U.S Navy World
War II Veteran CO Beta Brother John Arthur Love began his service as Governor of Colorado on
this date.
10 JAN 1967
On this date, World
War II Veteran, U.S. Representative (Virginia) and VA Kappa Brother Major William
Pat Jennings, U.S. Army began serving as Clerk of the House
of Representatives for the Ninetieth Congress, and was reelected to the four
succeeding Congresses, serving until his resignation 15 NOV 1975, to be
president of Slurry Transport Association.
03 JAN 1969
World War I Veteran, Iowa State Representative, Governor
(Iowa) and IA Beta Founding Father First Lieutenant Bourke Blakemore Hickenlooper, U.S. Army completed 24 years of service as a U.S. Senator from Iowa on this date.
During his long
service in the Congress, Brother Hickenlooper accomplished a great many things.
As a veteran, it was understandable that he would support and defend members of
the U.S. military, and this was most notable with his comment about the attack
on the USS Liberty (AGTR-5). On 08
JUN 1967, Liberty was an
attacked by Israeli Air Force jet fighters and Israeli Navy motor
torpedo boats while in neutral waters in the Mediterranean Sea.
During subsequent Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Testimony, Bourke is quoted as saying, "From what I have read I can't
tolerate for 1 minute that this [attack] was an accident."
12 JAN 1970
On this date, Vietnam
War Veteran and NY Delta Brother Staff Sergeant Jon Jay Janoska, Jr.,
U.S. Army made the ultimate sacrifice while leading his troopers as Platoon
Sergeant 3rd platoon, Company D, 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 9th
Infantry Division in Ha Nam, South Vietnam. He was 23 years
old.
Known as “Old
Reliable” by the men he served with, Jon began his combat tour on 08 JUN 1969,
and was killed while leading the platoon into
a thick stand of nipa palm where he was shot once and died instantly. One of
his former platoon leaders credits “JJ”, as he called him, with teaching him what
he needed to know to help him and his troopers survive. The former platoon
leader remembers our brother and honors him by telling stories of JJ to his
children and grandchildren.
Jon is honored on Panel 14W, Row 29 of “The Wall” – the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial on the north side of the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Respect can be paid to Brother Janoska at Section 2T,
Site 2247 at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.
12 JAN 1999
On this date, U.S. Air Force Veteran, Colorado State Senator and Representativer,
Colorado State Treasurer and CO Gamma Brother Roy Romer completed 12
years of service as the 39th governor of Colorado. Roy was a legal
officer in the U.S. Air Force.
09 JAN 2001
U.S. Army World War II Veteran CO Gamma Brother Maurice Jay “Bud” Hartman, U.S. Army died
on this date in Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, Texas. He served in the
Army from 1944-46.
After his WWII service, Bud graduated from Colorado State
University in 1950 with a B.B.S. degree in agronomy. He worked for Producer's
Livestock Commission in Los Angeles, CA; agricultural agent in Rocky Ford, CO;
chief agronomist for Phillips Petroleum Co., and chief agronomist for Fertimex,
in Mexico. Until his retirement in 1988, Brother Hartman was a senior vice
president at Interore, a division of Occidental Petroleum.
Bud was involved as an explorer adviser with the Boy
Scouts of America, and a member of the Elks Club. Along with his wife, he was a
founding member of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts.
Respect can be paid to Brother Hartman at Fairmount
Cemetery in San Angelo.
08 JAN 2002
Korean War
Veteran, Founder & CEO of Wendy’s and Renaissance Brother Staff Sergeant David
“Dave” Thomas, U.S. Army died on this date. At the outbreak of the Korean
War in 1950, rather than waiting for the draft, at age 18 he volunteered for
the U.S. Army to have some choice in assignments. Having food production and
service experience, Dave requested the Cook's and Baker's School at Fort
Benning, Georgia. He was sent overseas to Germany as a mess sergeant and was
responsible for the daily meals of 2000 soldiers rising to the rank of Staff
Sergeant. After his discharge in 1953, Thomas returned to Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Dave was posthumously
awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003.
Respect can be
paid to Brother Thomas at Union Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio
09 JAN 2008
Operation IRAQI
FREEDOM Veteran and TN Theta Brother Staff Sergeant Jonathan Kilian Dozier,
U.S. Army made the ultimate sacrifice on this date in Sinsil, Iraq. He was
30 years old. Brother Dozier was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd
Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division when he died of wounds sustained
when an improvised explosive device detonated during combat operations.
Jonathan was a student at Middle Tennessee State during the 2000-2001 school
year.
Born in Norfolk, Jonathan attended Fork Union Military
Academy, Virginia Commonwealth University and Middle Tennessee State
University. He will be remembered for his sensitivity, caring ways and his
ability to gather his many friends for “celebrations”.
His awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army
Achievement Medal (3), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal,
Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense
Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Parachute Badge.
Besides his parents, Jonathan is survived by his
daughter, Emma Grace Dozier. The family
asks that memorial contributions may be made to the Saving Grace Memorial Fund,
for the future needs of Emma Grace Dozier, C/O any Bank of Hampton Roads
Branch, or by mail, 239 S. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23322.
Respect can be paid to Brother Dozier at Section
60, Site 8727 at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
09 JAN 2010
U.S. Navy World War II Veteran and CA Beta Brother Robert Sherman Caldwell died on this
date. Bob served from 1943-46, and following his military service he attended
USC. In 1950, Brother Caldwell graduated with a business degree, and followed his father in to the insurance field
where he worked until his retirement in 1992.
To memorialize Bob,
the family requests donations to be sent to support the education fund for
Nicco Torres’ daughter, Freiyeane Torres. Nicco was Bob's caregiver and been by
his side for three years. Please send checks payable to June Caldwell and on
the memo line reference: FBO Freiyeane Education Savings. Mail to: June
Caldwell, 2020 The Strand, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.
08 JAN 2011
U.S. Army Air Corps World War II Veteran NC Zeta Brother Linzy Price “L.P.” Megginson, Jr. died
on this date at home in High Point. He
was 86 years old. L.P. was born in DEC 1924, and soon after graduating from
high school in 1943, L.P enlisted in the Army and was selected to join the Army
Air Corps Cadet program. He served for two years until honorably discharged in
1945. He then went on to earn his B.S. at Wake Forest College (now University)
in 1950.Memorials may be directed to the dental hygiene program at Guilford Technical Community College (P.O. Box 309, Jamestown, NC 27283), Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church (1225 Chestnut Street, High Point, NC 27262), and Hospice of the Piedmont (1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262).
07 JAN 2012
On this date, U.S. Army Veteran IA Beta Brother John Lambert Phillips died peacefully at his home in Cheyenne, Wyoming at the age of 80. He volunteered for military service and served in the Army with the Big Red One.
Born in Muscatine, Iowa, John received a bachelor of
science in industrial economics with minors in accounting and general
engineering from Iowa State University. He was employed by Caterpillar Tractor
Company in management for 37 years, retiring in 1994, and was actively involved
with the school board in Dunlap, IL; Republican Precinct Committee; Optimist
Club, and an AFS foreign exchange host family.
08 JAN 2012
World War II
Veteran and NC Gamma Brother Captain James
“Bill” William Bew II, U.S. Army Air Corps died on this date at the age of
94 at the Treasure Coast Hospice in Stuart, Florida. Bill was a manager
of engineering for 35 years at Trans World Airlines. Memorial contributions may
be made in his honor to Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart,
FL 34997.
U.S. Army World War II Veteran and IA Gamma Brother Everett “Ev” Ermal Jones also died on
this date. He graduated early from high school as all the males in his class
were called up to active duty in the Army for WWII. After his time in the
service, he returned and went to college at Iowa University.
Following graduation, Brother Jones worked at several sales jobs. Then knowing he wanted to be in the apparel industry, he worked as sales rep in Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia until 1962. He took a sales position with Donmoor Boys Wear in 1962 and really enjoyed being in the wholesale children's clothing business. He worked for Donmoor for 30 years, until the company closed. Ev and his wife continued to sell children's clothing lines including Mickey & CO and many others until 2008. He was honored with an award from Hudson's Trade Journal in January 2006.
Always the supporter of American warriors, before his death, Ev asked that any donations in his memory be made to the Wounded Warriors Project (woundedwarriorproject.org) in support of the war fighters of this generation. He particularly supported the program for new or retrofitted homes for the returning injured warriors.
Respect can be
paid to Brother Jones at Section C1-A, Site C14 of Fort Logan National
Cemetery, Denver, CO.
11 JAN 2012
Vietnam War
Veteran, first SigEp National Alumni Chairman, Recipient of the SigEp Citation
and the Distinguished Alumnus Award, Founder and Past President of the Northern
New Jersey Alumni Chapter, District Governor and NC Delta Brother Lieutenant
Commander Henry John Ouderkirk, U.S.
Navy died on this date.
He was in the Naval ROTC and received his commission in
the US Navy upon graduation. Brother Ouderkirk attended Naval Flight School in
Pensacola, FL, and Corpus Christi, TX, and was designated a Naval Aviator. He
was then stationed with Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 21 (VS-21) “Fighting
Redtails” at the Naval Air Station North Island at San Diego, CA. He flew the
S-3 Viking with VS-21 during two combat tours in the Vietnam War aboard the
aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CVS-33).
His decorations include The Air Medal with three stars and the Navy and Marine
Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V" for Valor.
Henry grew up in Arlington, VA, and graduated from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Pre-Law and
Political Science in 1963.
In a small world item, Henry was a Captain with Trans
World Airlines, and you have to wonder if he knew that this co-worker at Trans
World, Jim Bew, was a fellow SigEp Patriot.
John was the editor and publisher of books including The
Ouderkerk Family Genealogy from 1660, The Ouderkerk Family Genealogy, Volume
II, in 1990, and The Ouderkerk Family Saga, 350 Years in America. He founded
The Ouderkerk Family Genealogical Association and served as President,
publishing quarterly Newsletters.
The family has requested contributions be made to The
Seekers Sunday School Class of Peachtree, The University of North Carolina
Athletic Department or Metropolitan Hospice at Serenity Manor.
Respect can be paid to Brother Ouderkirk at Section 7B,
Site 664 of the Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA.
RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL
* U.S. World War II Veteran and WV Beta Brother Grover Ray Morrison passed away 05 JAN
2013 at the age of 88.* U.S. Army Veteran, Former CEO of McDonald’s, Recipient of the SigEp Citation (2007) and IA Delta Brother Fred Leo Turner passed away 07 JAN 2013 in Deerfield, Illinois of complications from pneumonia.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the chapter brothers,
family and friends of SigEp Patriots Morrison and Turner.
CELEBRATIONS!
* Earlier this week, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and NY Eta
Brother Lieutenant Colonel Bill Duggan,
U.S. Army returned home following his successful deployment to Afghanistan.
Welcome Home Brother and congrats on the Bronze Star Medal! Thank you for your
service!* Today, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM VETERAN AND NY Chi Brother Second Lieutenant Charles Rugg, U.S. Army posted on Facebook that he was enjoying himself as he transitions out of theater. Get home soon, Brother! Thank you for your service!
SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP)
Write to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com to
discuss becoming a SigEp Patriots Project POC, and
to share memories about your service or that of your brothers. To join the SPP list serve, send an email to sigepswhoserve-subscribe@yahoogroups.com,
including your name, rank, branch of service and military status
(active, reserve, retired, discharged, etc). To join SigEps Who Serve, send the
same information to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com
and go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve.
Fraternally
and Very Respectfully,
Brother Ed Jones, NY Eta ‘96
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
sigepswhoserve@gmail.com
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
