Last Week in SigEp Patriot History, 27 AUG – 02 SEP

Brothers,

Another one of those “just when you start thinking the world is a big place” stories – The other day Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and FL Iota Brother First Lieutenant William “Chase” Busch, U.S. Army sent me a Facebook message telling me about how he was conducting some training of his replacement in Afghanistan, and when they got to talking they learned they were both brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon. What are the chances of that? Two SigEp Patriots not only find each other in Afghanistan, but one is relieving the other.

29 AUG 1918

On this date, Founding Father and Chaplain First Lieutenant Franklin Webb Kerfoot, U.S. Army (Chaplain Corps) was killed in a collision of an automobile and a train on the Southern Railway in Chatham, Virginia. Brother Kerfoot had temporarily returned home from Newport News where he was served as a Baptist chaplain working among the soldiers departing overseas.

Franklin was born at Buckland, Prince William County, Virginia on 02 OCT 1986. He was Class of 1902 at Richmond College and later attended Crozer Theological Seminary. At his memorial service he was remembered as “the most original preacher of his time” and it was stated that God took him to welcome the soldiers who had “passed on” from the battle field.

Respect can be paid to Founding Father Kerfoot at Green Hill Cemetery in Berryville, VA. While he is gone, SPP will proudly join others in remembering Brother Kerfoot’s life and patriotic service.

01 SEP 1918

World War I Veteran and NH Alpha Brother Private First Class Charles Enos Tayntor, U.S. Army Ambulance Service, Army Medical Corps sailed for France for his service in Europe on this date.

30 AUG 1941

World War II Battle of Midway Veteran and IL Alpha Brother Joseph Metcalf Hissem received his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve on this date.

01 SEP 1962

On this date, World War II Veteran, SigEp Citation Recipient and VA Zeta Brother General Robert Jefferson Wood, U.S. Army (Retired) was promoted to the rank of general (four-stars).

02 SEP 2004

U.S. Navy World War II Veteran CO Alpha Brother Donn Beck Brown died peacefully on this date. He was born on 17 DEC 1916, in Dayton, Ohio, and attended the University of Colorado where he earned his mechanical engineering degree. World War II brought Donn to California. He served in the United States Navy in underwater demolition, which was the precursor to the Navy Seals. After his military service, Donn began his career with A.J. Bayer, Co. in Los Angeles, eventually becoming President and Chairman of the company. One of Donn's greatest joys was helping others. He served on the Board of Directors of many organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, the Salvation Army, Florence Crittenton Center, Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, First Lincoln Financial Corp. and Union Bank.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 30 JAN – 05 FEB

“If all the world were just, there would be no need of valor.” ~ Plutarch, Greek Biographer and Author

30 JAN 1925
U.S. Navy World War II Veteran, Computer Pioneer and Inventor of the Computer Mouse, SigEp Citation Recipient and OR Alpha Brother Dr. Douglas Carl Engelbart was born on this date in Portland, Oregon.

04 FEB 1929
U.S. Air Force Veteran and CO Alpha Brother Kenneth W. Drager was born on this date in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

01 FEB 1951
On this date, World War I Veteran, U.S. Ambassador and KS Alpha Brother First Lieutenant Monnett Bain Davis, U.S. Army / American Expeditionary Force was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Israel.

02 FEB 1969
Vietnam War Veteran and POW, SigEp Citation Recipient and KS Beta Brother Brigadier General James Downs Latham, U.S. Air Force (Retired) was commissioned a second lieutenant on this date.

03 FEB 2004
U.S. Navy Korean War Veteran ME Alpha Brother Roger William Fisher, died on this date in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada at the age of 72. Brother Fisher was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the Navy from 1951 until 1955, some of that time on the USS Newport News. He was employed as a U.S. customs officer in Vanceboro, Maine, from 1963 until 1990. He was a member of the American Legion, Masons, and Elks.

30 JAN 2009
On this date, World War II Veteran and VA Alpha Brother Pharmacist Mate Third Class Dr. Ota Treville “O.T.” Graham, Jr, U.S. Navy died in Richmond, VA after a lengthy illness. Brother Graham entered the Accelerated Program of the School of Pharmacy at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in 1944, before joining the U.S. Navy. He served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946, and was attached to the 1st Marine Division of the 7th Marine Regiment in China as a Pharmacist Mate, 3rd Class.

O.T. returned to Richmond in the fall of 1946, and entered the University of Virginia and graduated with a B.A. degree in 1949. He received his medical degree from MCV in 1953, and then completed two years of family practice residency there. He was in private practice for 43 years, before retiring in 1998. Brother Graham was an active member of the MCV Alumni Association, and served as its president for two years. He was a member of The Richmond Academy of Medicine, Medical Society of Virginia, and the Sons of the American Revolution.

04 FEB 2011
World War II Veteran and VT Alpha Brother Sergeant George Edward "Geo" Canney, U.S. Army died on this date at the age of 84 in Rutland, VT. Brother Canney was born on 21 MAY 1926, in Rutland, VT, and graduated from high school in 1944 before enlisting in the Army. After his discharge in 1946 he attended Norwich University.

Geo worked as a disc jockey and commentator at WHWB radio station for many years. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service at Metromail Inc. for several years. He was an active member of the American Postal Workers Union. He also spent many hours with his friends at the Carriage Room, Two Sheas, Magoo's and the American Legion Post 31.

Respect can be paid to Brother Canney at Calvary Cemetery in Rutland.

RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL
* U.S. Army World War II Veteran NY Delta Founding Father Byron Davega Forster passed away 04 JAN in Dallas, TX.
* Vietnam War Veteran, First National SigEp Alumni Chairman, Founder and Past President of the Northern New Jersey Alumni Chapter & District Governor NC Delta Brother Lieutenant Commander Henry John Ouderkirk, U.S. Navy died 11 JAN in Atlanta, GA.
* U.S. Army World War II Veteran WA Alpha Brother Clifford E. Oligher passed away 25 JAN in Davenport, WA.
* U.S. Army World War II and Korean War Veteran WV Beta Brother George D. Siehl II died 27 JAN in Okeechobee, FL.
* U.S. Navy Veteran NE Beta Brother Richard Lear Graham passed away 31 JAN in Omaha, NE.

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.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 14 – 20 NOV

In this edition of “This Week:”
- GA Delta Brother Bradley “Dad” Thomas Arms Remembered
- SigEps Who Serve Reaches 400!
- Tough Mudders Among Us
- Update: SigEp Patriots Project

19 NOV 1887
World War I Veteran and TN Alpha Brother Captain Matthew McClung, U.S. Army was born on this date in Knoxville, Tennessee.

20 NOV 1917
On this date, World War I Veteran and Ace, Founder of the Alabama Air National Guard and NY Beta Brother Major James Armand Meissner, U.S. Army Air Service received a field commissioned as a First Lieutenant.

17 NOV 1922
World War II Veteran, Army Infantry Officer Candidate Hall of Fame Member and KS Beta Brother Merrill H. Werts was born on this date near Smith Center, Kansas.

18 NOV 1927
On this date, World War II Veteran and CO Alpha Brother Fire Controlman Second Class (E-5) Gale Erwin Brown, U.S. Navy was born in Fort Morgan, Colorado.

15NOV 1936
TX Alpha Brother Captain André Bourchard, U.S. Army Reserve (Retired) was born on this date in Austin, Texas.

20 NOV 2001
WWII Veteran and CO Delta Brother Lieutenant Colonel Frank A. Foley, U.S. Army Air Corps / U.S. Army Reserves (Retired) died on this date. Brother Foley was president of his 1940 graduating class in high school. He enrolled at Mines, but put his education on hold in 1942 when he volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corps. After three and half years of active duty he returned to Mines. After graduation, Foley worked in hydraulics and pneumatics as a sales engineer. He retired from Haskel Supply in 1989. He was a member of the American Legion and B.P.O. Elks. He served in the Corps of Engineer Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

19 NOV 2004

Yesterday was a sad anniversary. On this date, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran and GA Delta Brother Corporal Bradley “Dad” Thomas Arms, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve was killed in action in Anbar Province, Iraq.

Brother Arms, from Charlottesville, Virginia, was 20 years old, and assigned to the 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Baltimore, Maryland.

His dad, Bob Arms, said his son saw the Marine Corps as a way to improve himself and help people.

“After he got back from boot camp, I asked him if it had been hard, and he just looked at me and said, ‘Dad, it was so easy, all you have to do is what they say,’” Bob Arms told The Red & Black student newspaper.

“He had a positive attitude about going to war,” said Brother Matt Tincknell. “He definitely saw his purpose, and he was proud to be there defending his country, which gave us great comfort in knowing he wanted to be there.”

In emails home, Brother Arms wrote about his hopes for Iraq, and that his experiences at war “strengthened his resolve to live the life a balanced man and lead by example.”

Bradley’s commitment to country was recognized when the Marine Corps League Detachment in Charlottesville was named in his honor – the Bradley T. Arms Marine Corps League Detachment 1256.

On 12 AUG 2008, the 110th Congress of the United States approved Public Law 110-307 officially renaming the name of the main post office in Charlottesville, Virginia the “Corporal Bradley T. Arms Post Office Building.” At the dedication, Bob Arms said the Bradley’s “Marine commitment of honor, courage and commitment were very deeply embedded in his life.”

Brother Arms was laid to rest in Charlottesville, VA.

15 NOV 2008
OH Iota Brother Harold G. Waters, U.S. Air Force Reserve died on this date at the age of 75. Brother Waters was born in Toledo in 1933, and served in the Air Force Reserve. Harold taught music, was the band director for 36 years at Gateway Middle School and Maumee High School, retiring in 1993, and was an avid Buckeye fan. Respect can be paid to Brother Waters at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.

14 NOV 2010
U.S. Air Force Veteran and CO Alpha Brother Kenneth W. Drager passed away on this date at the age of 82. Kenny owned an advertising agency for 37 years serving many local businesses before retiring and moving to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands in 1989. Brother Drager was born on 04 FEB 1929 in Ft. Collins, Colorado and graduated in 1951 from the University of Colorado in journalism prior to serving in the Air Force. In addition to SigEp, he was a member of Sigma Delta Chi honorary. An avid fan of CU football, a scuba diver and gardener. Kenny is remembered as a man of high character with a quick sense of humor and the love of family.

15 NOV 2010
U.S. Army Air Corps World War II Veteran and AR Alpha Brother Harold Bell Watt passed away on this date. He was born 24 DEC 1919 in Augusta, Kansas, raised in Texas and graduated from Amarillo High School in 1938. After serving in the Army Air Corps from NOV 1940 to NOV 1945, he graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1949 with a degree in geology. Harold was employed by Lane Wells Company, which became Dresser Atlas, and retired in 1984 after 32 years with the company. Brother Watt was a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner. Respect can be paid to Brother Watt at the Evergreen Cemetery in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

17 NOV 2010
MI Alpha Newton Holladay Webb, U.S. Navy (Retired) died at the age of 90 on this date. Brother Webb was born in London, England, where his father was employed. The family moved to Paris, France, and then located in Pelham, NY. He was a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Engineering where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He was an aviator for the U.S. Navy for 20 years. Newton moved to Richmond in the 1950s and worked as a mechanical engineer throughout the state of Virginia. Brother Webb was laid to rest at Westhampton Memorial Park.

LOSSES TO THE ROLL
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends, family and Brothers of the following patriotic SigEps:
* U.S. Navy Veteran (Retired) and KS Delta Brother Marvin Leroy Sorg passed away on 28 OCT 2011 and respect can be paid to Brother Sorg at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, CA.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
For Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) Veteran and TN Gamma Brother Staff Sergeant Tanner Stephen Kuth, U.S. Army who underwent a spinal tap on Thursday.

CELEBRATE!
* GA Epsilon Brother Captain Tripp Bishop, U.S. Marine Corps recently completed the incredibly strenuous training to become an aircraft carrier qualified aviator. Congratulations to Brother Bishop!
* Tough Mudder’s among us! Congratulations to PA Gamma Brother Second Lieutenant Jamie Derr, U.S. Marine Corps and NY Chi Brother ROTC Cadet Pat Mcpartland for completing the Tri-State Tough Mudder last weekend in New Jersey. This was Jamie’s first TM and Pat’s second.
* Pat is heading up an effort for a TM in May 2012. You can join Team Captain Krunch and the Cereal Killers by clicking on http://register.toughmudder.com/register/default.aspx?newgroup=true&event=5634&cat=20812
* Jamie is the executive assistant at Veterans Moving Forward, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity founded by veterans to help alleviate the critical need for assistance dogs for our nations heroes. You can go to http://www.facebook.com/vetsfwd and http://www.vetsfwd.org/ to learn more about the group and their great work.
* SigEps Who Serve (SWS), the official Facebook group of the SigEp Patriots Project, reached 400 Brothers when OEF Veteran, KY Zeta Brother and ROTC Cadet Anthony Palmer joined the group. You honor us with your presence, Anthony.

SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP) UPDATE
* SWS had the honor of 16 additional SigEp Patriots added to the roll in the six days since the last edition of “This Week” and now numbers 405 Brothers who serve/served! We wish a sincere welcome to the following Brothers:
Hunter Sheetz, Todd Leavitt, Brian Wagner, Sean Martin, Gary Adkins, Scott Knighton, TJ Freno, Aaron Bacus, G. Paul Lewis, Eric Sitzmann, Anthony Palmer, Jason Fredrick, Jacob Hicks, Shawn Farrington, Ernesto DiVittorio and Davin Heaton.

If you are a SigEp Patriot and on Facebook, just click on the link to go to the SWS page http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve. All we need to know is your home chapter and military affiliation.

* SPP now has nine chapter reps / points of contact around the country, and we welcome the following Brothers who recently signed on to work with the Project as a SPP POC:

KY Zeta POC – KY Zeta Brother Private First Class Robert Stegall, U.S. Army National Guard (Kentucky)
IA Theta POC – IA Theta Chapter President Matt Funke

Undergraduate or alumni brothers can be chapter reps. Just contact SPP at sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

SPP also has a listserve that you can join by writing to the email address above.

Fraternally and Respectfully,

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

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 03 – 09 OCT

While these patriotic Americans were not SigEps, these recent stories convey the emotion and commitment to the memory and service of brothers-in-arms and may help some of you understand one of the missions of the SigEp Patriots Projects (SPP):

Hundreds gather for burial of former Vietnam MIA Marvin Foster
Phillips http://timesfreepress.com/news/2011/sep/27/a1-laid-to-rest-hundreds-gather-for-burial-of

Four will finally get their due on Vietnam War Memorial wall http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Dogged-effort-will-put-area-man-s-dad-s-name-on-2188527.php

03 OCT 1907
World War II Veteran, FL State Representative, U.S. Congressman, and FL Alpha Brother Captain Donald Ray Matthews, U.S. Army was born in Micanopy, Florida on this date.

03 OCT 1918
According to information published in The Sigma Phi Epsilon Journal, Volume 16, World War I Veteran and NH Alpha Brother Private First Class Charles Enos Tayntor, U.S. Army – Ambulance Service, Army Medical Corps died on this date in France.

08 OCT 2010
On this date, U.S. Navy World War II Veteran, and NY Alpha Brother Howard P. Nulse died in Naples, Florida. Born 09 APR 1926 in Charleston, WV, Brother Nulse graduated from Syracuse University School of Engineering, and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He was employed by the DuPont Company for 37 years. A Sailor to the end, his family scattered his ashes in the Chesapeake Bay.

RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL
Since the previous edition of “This Week” the following SigEp Patriots have passed away:

22 SEP
– World War II U.S. Army Veteran, Kansas State Senator, and KS Beta Brother Merrill H. Werts
25 SEP
– World War II Veteran and CO Alpha Brother Fire Controlman Second Class Petty Officer Gale Erwin Brown, U.S. Navy
– TX Alpha Brother Captain André Bourchard, U.S. Army Reserve (Retired)
– U.S. Veteran, Past Grand President, and Order of the Golden Heart Recipient TX Beta Brother Jackie Don “Jack” Wheeler

26 SEP
– SC Alpha Brother Frederick Lee Day, U.S. Army Ready Reserve/National Guard (South Carolina)

GOOD NEWS!
* In Afghanistan earlier today, U.S. Army and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran IL Eta Brother Zach Deets was promoted to Sergeant – his second promotion during his deployment. Congratulations, Brother!
* The SPP Official Facebook Group – SigEps Who Serve (SWS – http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve) – now numbers 336 with six new members. Welcome Brothers!
* 2Lt Yanni Dracopoulos, U.S. Air Force headed to Naval Air Station Pensacola to continue the journey that is his military career. Through SWS, Yanni was able to connect with three other Brother Patriots currently at NAS Pensacola.

We are always looking to post news items about SigEp Patriots. If you have something you would like to share please send an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

Fraternally and Respectfully,

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

Two Weeks in the History of Sigma Phi Epsilon Patriots, 31 JAN – 13 FEB

Life gets a little busy sometimes, so this is a two week version.

04 FEB 1929
Brother Kenneth W. Drager, U.S. Air Force (Colorado Alpha / University of Colorado ’51) was born on this day in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Brother Drager graduated from UC with his degree in journalism prior to joining the Air Force.

At the moment, that is all I have and I look forward to hearing from anyone that has information about Brother Drager and/or his military service.

01 FEB 1951
This marks the day the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of WWI Veteran / Ambassador / Brother / First Lieutenant Monnett Bain Davis, U.S. Army (Kansas Alpha / Baker University) as Ambassador to Israel. Brother Davis would serve in this capacity until his death in DEC 1953.

During World War I, Brother Davis served in Europe in the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) of the U.S. Army.

03 FEB 2004
Korean War Veteran / Brother Roger William Fisher, U.S. Navy (Maine Alpha / University of Maine ’58) of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada died on this day at the age of 72.

Prior to attending UM and earning a B.A. in business economics, Brother Fisher served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955, some of that time onboard the USS Newport News (CA-148). He was employed as a U.S. Customs Officer in Vanceboro, Maine, from 1963 until 1990. He enjoyed gardening, bee keeping, hunting, fishing, golf, and spending time at his camp. He was a member of the American Legion, Masons, and Elks. He is survived by two children and three grandchildren.

09 FEB 2007
On this day, Vietnam Veteran / Brother / Captain Bruce Edward Crowe, U.S. Marine Corps – Vietnam (TN Gamma / East Tennessee State University) (he graduated from University of Tennessee) passed away at his West Knoxville home with his family after a courageous battle with cancer. Bruce attended East Tennessee State University where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, graduated from The University of Tennessee and later earned a master’s degree from Tennessee Tech University. Captain Crowe was the recipient of two Purple Hearts during his service in the U.S. Marine Corps. He later became a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Masons. Brother Crowe was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors in Section 66, Site 7578).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 736 N. 4th Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917 and/or the American Cancer Society, 871 Weisgarber Road, Knoxville, TN 37909.

13 FEB 2010
Brother / Captain Robert Urbana, U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired) (Colorado Beta / University of Denver ’52) passed away last year tomorrow at the age of 80. Brother Urbana was born in Denver on 25 JAN 1930. Bob joined the Navy at age 17 and graduated from North Denver High School in 1948. He went through the naval ROTC program and graduated from the University of Denver in December 1952 with a degree in business and a navy commission. During his brief active duty career, Brother Urbana served as executive officer on the USS Koka (ATA-185) before leaving active duty in 1955. He continued his naval career as a reservist in Boise, Idaho. In his civilian life, he was successful businesses in Boise and later in Portland, Oregon – the later company expanded in to Seattle. Bob's passion was the Navy. As a reservist he completed the Armed Forces Staff College, the Naval War College and was a member of the U.S. Naval Advancement Board. Brother Urbana commanded units in Boise, Longview, Washington and Salem. He finished his naval career as the Recruiting District Assistance Council Officer for Oregon, retiring in 1978 after 31 years of service. Bob instilled his love of the Navy in the next generations. He had the privilege of swearing in his grandson, Alexander, into the U.S. Navy in 1999. Bob was a Sigma Phi Epsilon. He was a member and past president of the Portland Navy League and served on the Rose Festival Naval committee. At various times in his life he belonged to the Kiwanis, Lions and Rotarians and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Bob was a deeply spiritual man. His faith sustained him and gave him strength, hope, peace and comfort, especially in the last days of his life. He was an exemplary role model to his family and to all who knew him. He was a man of honor, courage and commitment. He believed that it was by God's grace he had the life he did, that honor inspires courage and with courage comes commitment to follow through with love, kindness and compassion, doing the right thing at all times.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances to Disabled Veterans of America or to a charity of your choice.

In 2008, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimated that World War II veterans were dying at a rate of more than 1,000 a day. Something needs to be done to capture the stories and legacy of the brothers among this group as well as other patriots.

The three pieces immediately above are all obituaries, and the only information I could find so far on these great men. If you have any additional information about Brothers Fisher, Crowe or Urbana it would be great to hear from you.

Welcome Home, Patriot Brothers!
Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veterans / Brother / Captain Nate Davis, U.S. Army (Florida Beta / Stetson ’07) and Brother / Captain Jeff Lehmkuhl, U.S. Air Force (California Upsilon / California State University, San Bernardino ’05) have returned to the States very recently after successful tours in Afghanistan! It’s great to have you both back home safe.

Also, due to OPSEC considerations we won’t list their names here, but a huge shout out to three military brothers who are home temporarily while on mid-deployment leave. Have a great time, and if you are visiting Washington, DC remember the door is red here. Continued success when you return to the desert, stay safe, and get home again soon!

Movers and Shakers
Congratulations are in order for Brother / First Sergeant Wendell Thompson, U.S. Army (AL Theta / Jacksonville State University ’91) who was promoted to his current rank this week. Hooyah, Brother!

Last week, Brother / First Lieutenant Doug Allen, U.S. Air Force (New York Chi / Clarkson University) recently completed T-6 training and Brother / Second Lieutenant Grant Milbourn, U.S. Air Force (Oklahoma Alpha / Oklahoma State ‘10) successfully completed the T-6 simulator, and is preparing for his instrument check-ride and formation. Keeping aiming high, Brothers!

Fraternally and Respectfully,

Ed Jones
Chief, USNR
NY Eta '91
sigepswhoserve@gmail.com