This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 20 – 26 FEB

Brothers,

“This generation of Americans has come to realize, with a present and personal realization, that there is something larger and more important than the life of any individual or of any individual group – something for which a man will sacrifice, and gladly sacrifice, not only his pleasures, not only his goods, not only his associations with those he loves, but his life itself. In time of crisis when the future is in the balance, we come to understand, with full recognition and devotion, what this nation is, and what we owe to it.”
~ President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his Message to the American People (sometimes referred to as “The Map Speech”); February 23, 1942

25 FEB 1926
On this date, U.S. Navy World War II Veteran and IL Alpha Brother Walter William Rust was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Walt served in the U.S. Navy as a radioman aboard the escort aircraft carrier USS Puget Sound (CVE-113) in the South Pacific, and as such was aboard the ship when it entered Tokyo Bay 14 OCT 1945.

26 FEB 1933
NE Beta Brother and First Lieutenant Paul Edgar Fesler, U.S. Air Force was born on this date.

25 FEB 1946
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Veteran and TN Beta Brother Fred Avil Allen III was born on this date.

20 FEB 1992
Gone but never forgotten. NY Eta Brother and First Lieutenant Michael T. Morrisey, U.S. Army Reserve died on this date after being struck by a drunk driver while jogging near his home in Grand Island, New York.

Born in Rochester, NY, he graduated from Grand Island High School, where he was captain of the varsity swim team. While attending Buffalo State College, Mike pledged SigEp, and was very active in the fraternity while also excelling in the ROTC Program at Canisius College.

In memory of Michael, his family set up scholarship funds at Buffalo State College, Canisius College and Geneseo State College. As of 2003, Ninety students have benefited from the generosity of the Morrisey family and other donors.Respect can be paid to Brother Morrisey at St. Stephen's Cemetery on Grand Island.

23 FEB 2008
World War II Veteran PA Delta Brother Sergeant John Metcalf Bickelhaupt, U.S. Army Air Corps died on this date in Saratoga Springs, New York. During WWII, Brother Bickelhaupt served as a pilot and was stationed in the Pacific. After the war, John attended Penn where he was president of the senior class.

Respect can be paid to Brother Bickelhaupt at Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs.

23 FEB 2010
VT Alpha Brother, Maine State Senator and First Lieutenant David Lee Carpenter, U.S. Army Reserve died on this date in Springvale, Maine at the age of 75. Dave was born in Boston, MA, graduated from Needham High School, and received a degree in business administration from Norwich. While at Norwich, Dave was a member of the Outing Club and was a brother in Sigma Phi Epsilon and Alpha Eta Rho. He was also a member of the drill team. Dave served in the Army Reserves as a first lieutenant. He was a co-owner of C&C/Taylor Rental from the late sixties to the mid-seventies when he became a real estate broker with Davis Real Estate, and later owned Carpenter Realty. He was a former member of the Rotary Club and served on the YMCA and Dollars for Scholars boards. Dave ran for the Maine State Senate in 1988 and worked in that capacity for 12 years. The Utilities Committee, State and Local Government and the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee were all part of his duties in the Maine State Senate.

A year ago -
* On 22 FEB 2011, U.S Coast Guard Fireman and FL Zeta Brother Tristan Scott McMorran began his patriotic military. Currently, Brother McMorran is serving aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) home ported in Portsmouth, VA.

* A year ago this week, CA Beta Beta Brother and U.S. Air Force ROTC Cadet Bryan Ferrell learned that he had obtained a seat for USAF Flight Training. Brother Ferrell is on track to graduate from the University of San Diego this spring, and after receiving his commission in June he will be assigned to Vance, Air Force Base to begin his flight training.

* CA Theta Brother, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran and First Lieutenant Adam Wilson, U.S. Army has been very busy since graduating from the Artillery Officer’s school at Ft. Sill about a year ago. He was promoted to First Lieutenant, successfully earning his tab at Ranger School at Ft. Benning, and deployed to and returned from Iraq – for which he was awarded a Bronze Star.

RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL
* Korean War Veteran and CA Beta Brother Captain Glen Chase Ware, U.S. Air Force passed away 17 FEB in The Woodlands, Texas at the age of 83.
* U.S. Army Vietnam War Veteran and FL Gamma Brother Dana Blake Jr also passed away on 17 FEB at the age of 69 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Brother Blake served from 1967 to 1969.
* U.S. Army Vietnam War Veteran and OH Mu Brother Tom Howard Martindale passed away recently in Tucson, AZ. His obituary did not state a date.
* World War II Veteran, UT Alpha Brother and Lieutenant Colonel Junius Wells Robins, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Retired) passed away 21 FEB 2012 at the age of 92. Brother Robins served honorably as a U.S. Marine Corps Artillery Officer in the Pacific in World War II and stayed in the Active Reserves until 1975.

As always, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of these Brothers, and the SigEp Patriots Project pledges that their service to the Nation will never be forgotten.

UPDATE: SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP)
* SPP now has the names of more than 1,110 SigEp Patriots who serve/served in the U.S. military!
* The SPP leadership ranks continue to grow. SPP would like to welcome the following points of contact that work with SPP to increase the historical holdings of their respective chapters as well as the SPP archives:
#16 – CA Gamma AVC President Brother Scott Carr, #17 – CA Theta Brother and Corporal in the California National Guard Frank Beardsley, and #18 – U.S. Navy Veteran and TX Chi Brother Thurman Walling. Just drop an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com if you are interested in serving as a chapter POC.
* The official SPP Facebook group is closing in on 440 SigEp Patriots with the addition of the following Brothers:
PA Gamma Brother and Navy ROTC Cadet Charles Brand, OH Gamma Brother Oliver J. Mitchell, CA Theta Brother and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Lance Corporal Matt Buelow, OH Pi Brother and Air National Guard Veteran Brad Badgley, U.S. Navy Veteran and TX Chi Brother Thurman Walling, and MD Zeta Brother and U.S. Navy Aviator Ryan Hunt.

Welcome Brothers! To join the group, go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve. Not on Facebook? Join our listserve by sending an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com. You will be asked to provide your military affiliation and home chapter.

Fraternally and Respectfully,

Brother Ed Jones, NY Eta ‘96
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project

This Week in the History of SigEp Patriots, 22 – 28 MAY

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heros never dies.
~Moina Michael, 1915

LET US NEVER FORGET
As we prepare for our three day weekend, it is very important to remember why we have this holiday.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 05 MAY 1868 by General John Logan, U.S. Army, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 MAY 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

While few of us can travel to Arlington, all of us can find a cemetery near our homes to honor the men and women who served our country, some making the ultimate sacrifice. Additionally, Each American can also show their respect through the National Moment of Remembrance. The resolution passed in December 2000 asks that at 3pm local time, all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps.”
http://www.usmemorialday.org/Speeches/President/may0200.txt

OUR BROTHER HEROS

28 MAY 1917
On this day, WWI Veteran and Ace Fighter Pilot / Brother / Major James Armand Meissner, U.S. Army Air Service (NY Beta / Cornell), having dropped out of Cornell, enlisted in the Army Signal Service (the branch of the Army then tasked with flying) as a Private First Class.

23 MAY 1934
Brother / First Lieutenant David Carpenter, U.S. Army Reserve (VT Alpha / Norwich University ’57) was born on this day in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Needham High School in Massachusetts, and received a degree in business administration from Norwich University.

27 MAY 1943
Vietnam Veteran / Brother George Dunmore Hovey was born on this day in Hickory, North Carolina. While his branch of service is unknown, Brother Hovey served from 1966 to 1968.

23 MAY 1944
Brother / First Lieutenant James Walter Swan, U.S. Army – Korean (ID Alpha / Idaho State University) was born on this day in Caldwell, Idaho. He graduated from Idaho State University with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. At that time Jim was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the ISU ski team.

After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and served as a First Lieutenant in Texas and then in Korea on the DMZ. At that time he was responsible for an orphanage about which he was passionate. He strived every day to ensure the best of care for the children.

Less than a year ago, Brother Swan, 66, passed away on 08 SEP 2010, and he was interned with military honors at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.

28 MAY 2005
On this day, WWII Veteran / Brother George “Scotty” Clark, U.S. Army Signal Corps (IL Alpha / University of Illinois) passed away. The first lines of Brother Clark’s obituary read as such, “Clark, George "Scotty" 89, a 52 year resident of Elmhurst, passed away 28 MAY 2005, at Elmhurst Extended Care. He was born 19 JUL 1915, in Chicago, to Robert A. and Esther Clark. He graduated from Austin High School and attended the University of Illinois, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.” Scotty is interned at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

I don’t know about you, but I believe it displays a great deal of respect and love that Scotty would put SigEp in the third line of his obituary. He and his service to our country deserve an even greater degree of respect.

DEPLOYING SOON
Brother / Second Lieutenant Adam Wilson, U.S. Army (CA Theta / California State University, Sacramento ‘10) is preparing to deploy overseas. Best of luck, Adam! Let us know if you need anything.

WELCOME HOME, Brothers!
On Sunday, Afghanistan Veteran / Brother / Captain Mike Tregle, U.S. Army (LA Gamma / Loyola University) arrived back home from his second tour in Afghanistan. At the conclusion of his tour, Brother Tregle was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

Another Afghan Veteran is nearly home. At the time of this posting, Brother / First Lieutenant Roger Foley, U.S. Army (FL Beta / Stetson University ’07) is working his way back to the States with his own Bronze Star Medal for his work with and training of Afghan police officers.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations twice over are due to Brother / Captain Scott Rubenstein, U.S. Air Force (FL Gamma / University of Miami ‘05). Last Saturday, Scott was promoted to his current rank, and the day he got married! All the best to you and Melissa, Captain.

COMMISSIONS
Along with graduation, the Class of 2011 has additional military commissions to celebrate including:

Brother / Ensign Dan Bandong, U.S. Navy (DC Alpha / George Washington University ’11)
Brother / Ensign Patrick Dees, U.S. Navy (DC Alpha / George Washington University ’11)
Brother / Second Lieutenant Christopher Helali, U.S. Army (Cal Beta Beta / University of San Diego ’11)
Brother / Ensign John McSorley, U.S. Navy (CA Beta Beta / University of San Diego ’11)
Brother / Second Lieutenant Richard Stromberg, U.S. Army (KS Beta / Kansas State University ’11)

Congratulations and best of luck, Brothers!

FUTURE MARINE OFFICERS
Brothers Tyler Sweet (CA Omega / California State University, Fullerton ‘12) and Brentt Mcgee (KY Epsilon / Murray State University ’13) begin Marine Corps OCS at Quantico today via the PLC Program. As Tyler said, they will have six weeks of “fun” this summer, and then do another six weeks next summer to complete the program and get their commissions. Best of luck, Brothers!

SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT and SIGEPS WHO SERVE
At the time of this submission, SigEps Who Serve (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_5903232706) – the Facebook presence for the SigEp Patriots Project – has 293 brothers. If you are a brother who serves/served in the U.S. military or you know of one please drop me an email.

Fraternally and Respectfully,

Ed Jones
Chief, U.S. Navy (NY Eta / Buffalo State College)
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
sigepswhoserve@gmail.com