This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 20 – 26 AUG

“A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.” ~ General George S. Patton, U.S. Army

Brothers,

20 AUG 2007

U.S. Navy Veteran and FL Epsilon Founding Father Major Herbert Luther Marsh, U.S. Air Force (Retired) died on this date in Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 80.

Born 01 JUL 1927 in Jacksonville, Herbert joined the Navy following his graduation from high school, and after completing his tour he attended Florida State University where he was a charter member of FL Epsilon.

He attended Georgetown University, and later joined the Air Force where he rose to the rank of Major and retired with 20 years of service. Major Marsh returned to Jacksonville with his family, becoming the director of the NE FL chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and later the NE FL chapter of the Leukemia Society. He devoted over 20 years to helping those stricken with these diseases. In his most recent years he was the owner of Marsh Tax Services.

Respect can be paid to Brother Marsh at Greenlawn Cemetery in Jacksonville.

RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL

– U.S. Air Force Korean War Veteran and MS Gamma Renaissance Brother Lieutenant Colonel Paul Francis Weisend, U.S. Air Force Reserve (Retired) passed away 27 JUL 2012 in Glendora, California.

– U.S. Navy Korean War Veteran and PA Delta Brother Commander Robert Twigg Mullen, U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired) passed away 31 JUL 2012 at the age of 83 in Melbourne, Florida.

– U.S. Army Korean War Veteran AR Gamma Brother James Roy Sulcer passed away 05 AUG 2012 in Hernando, Mississippi.

– U.S. Navy Veteran MI Alpha Brother John Henry Jacobs of Atherton, California passed away at his home on 16 AUG 2012 at the age of 84 after a short battle with Leukemia.

– Korean War Veteran OH Eta Brother Commander Richard Hall “Dick” Allyn , U.S. Navy (Retired) passed away 19 AUG 2012 in Albany, New York.

– U.S. Army World War II Veteran WI Alpha Brother David Joseph Flanagan, Jr. passed away 20 AUG 2012 in New London, Wisconsin. While at Lawrence University (then College), Brother Flanagan was called in to the Army during WWII where he served in France, Australia Belgium and Germany until being transferred to the Philippines.

– IN Beta Brother Captain F. Robert Brueckmann, U.S. Army (Medical Corps) passed also passed away 20 AUG 2012 after a long illness.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and chapter brothers of SigEp Patriots Weisend, Mullen, Sulcer, Jacobs, Allyn, Flanagan and Brueckmann. While gone SPP pledges these brothers will never be forgotten.

CELEBRATIONS!

* Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and CA Omega Brother Sergeant Mashruf Ahmed, U.S. Army has been serving in Afghanistan as a civilian for quite a long time, and looks like he is finally headed home. Safe travels, Brother!

* Congratulations to CA Theta Brother James Riggins on his recent promotion to Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps!

Have great news about a promotion, new orders, the birth of a child or anything else? SPP would love to share it with everyone! Just send an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP) UPDATE

* SPP is honored to welcome U.S. Army Veteran IA Eta Brother Kyle Kouri, TN Kappa Brother Private Andre Parsolo Rivers, U.S. Marine Corps and TN Eta Brother Major James Chase, U.S. Army to SigEps Who Serve – the official Facebook group of the SigEp Patriots Project. Go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve to join nearly 500 brothers-in-arms. All we ask is your military affiliation and home chapter. Please help SPP find our fellow SigEp Patriots by sending them the link.

Fraternally and Very Respectfully,

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

sigepswhoserve@gmail.com

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