While it is terrific that some SigEp Patriots have recently returned home from service overseas, it important to remember that brothers (and other Americans serving to defend our country) are still standing duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, Bahrain, Kuwait and other parts of the world. Please keep them in mind when you express your thanks this holiday season, and always remember the sacrifices they make all year.
19 DEC 1917
World War I Veteran and OH Gamma Brother Robert Lester Tavenner was promoted to
the rank of First Lieutenant on this date.
22 DEC 1944
On this date, after
being presented a proposal for the surrender of the troops under his command at
Bastogne, WV Beta Brother Brigadier General Anthony Clement McAuliffe, U.S. Army spoke the most famous quote of
World War II: “Nuts!”
To read the
entire story go to http://www.sigepblog.org/2012/12/22-december.html#idc-container
20 DEC 1968
World War II Veteran and VT Alpha Brother Raymond J. McGarry died on this date at
the age of 64 in the Veterans Hospital at White River Junction, Vermont after a
short illness.
Respect can be paid to Brother McGarry at the Calvary Cemetery in
Rutland, Vermont.
19 DEC 1979
Mexican War and World War I Veteran CO Beta Brother Colonel Maurice C. Bigelow, U.S. Army died on this date. Maurice became a member of the Colorado National Guard in 1908, and graduated from the University of Denver in 1912 before studying law for two years at UD and another two semesters at the University of Munich. After graduation, he returned to the States and worked briefly at a bank before he was mobilized to the Mexican border with the First Colorado Infantry. When the U.S. declared war on Germany, his unit was immediately redesignated the 157th Infantry. Brother Bigelow was made a captain in the 157th Infantry and sent to Europe where he commanded the machine gun company of that regiment.
While overseas he was transferred to the First Division,
which suffered over 100% casualties. At the outset the division numbered
approximately 28,000 men and 31,000 men, including replacements, were lost in
the conflicts in which this division was engaged. Even so, Maurice was never
wounded. He proved to be a very efficient officer and gained much practical
experience in the science of military tactics. He returned from Germany with
the Third Machine Gun Battalion, First Division – the first to be sent to
Europe for the war and the last to return.
After his return, Maurice was sent to several commands
before being detailed to Fort Benning, Georgia where he attended the infantry
school and graduated in 1923.
OWA State College in Ames, Iowa secured the services of Brother
Bigelow to be assistant professor of Military Science and Tactics on a four
years detail. He instructed in machine guns and automatic weapons, and their
use in modern warfare.
Respect can be
paid to Brother Bigelow at Section 4, Site 2701, Arlington National
Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
