Last Week in SigEp Patriot History, 03 - 09 SEP

Brothers,

On 05 SEP 1969, the Guardsmen of the 116th Engineer Battalion (Combat) were released from active duty having just returned from their eleven-month tour of service in Vietnam. This marked the sixth time in 70 years that the battalion served on active duty. In fact, the 116th was the only Guard unit, Army or Air, to serve in theater during both the Korean and Vietnam wars.

How many SigEps served with this dedicated group of men? Nobody knows – not yet, for the SigEp Patriots Project (SSP) will continue to work to answer this and other questions pertaining to SigEps who serve, and we hope you can help us. Please write to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com if you are or know of a brother who served with the 116th.

05 SEP 1919

World War I Veteran and OH Gamma Brother Captain Robert Lester Tavenner, U.S. Army completed his service in Europe with the American Expeditionary Force on this date.

07 SEP 1956

On this date, Korean War Veteran and Ace, SigEp Citation Recipient and IN Alpha Brother Captain Iven Carl "Kinch" Kincheloe, Jr., U.S. Air Force piloted the Bell X-2 research rocket plane more than 2,000mph and to a world's record altitude of 126,200 feet – the first flight ever above 100,000 feet. For this he was nicknamed "America's No. 1 Spaceman" and received the Mackay Trophy the next year.

06 SEP 2003

World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War Veteran, and PA Mu Brother Brigadier General William Robert Sarber, Jr., U.S. Army (Retired) died on this date in a nursing home in Yorktown, Virginia.

Born 21 FEB 1929, in Charleston, West Virginia, Brother Sarber graduated from Temple University with a bachelor's degree in Accounting, and began his 31-year military career in 1946. He also received a master's degree in Banking and Finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of the Armor School, Transportation School, Command and General Staff College, Armed Forces Staff College and the Industrial College of The Armed Forces. General Sarber's commands included the 7th Transportation Group, Fort Eustis, VA; Kaiserslautern Army Depot Complex, U.S. Army, Europe; and Eastern Area, Military Traffic Management Command, Bayonne, NJ.

Respect can be paid to Brother Sarber at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. While William is gone, SPP pledges that his life and patriotic service will always be remembered.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 05 – 11 SEP

"Hate war, but love the American warrior!" ~ Lieutenant General Hal Moore, U.S. Army (Retired)

05 SEP 1936
TN Alpha Brother LTJG George Burl Rainwater, U.S. Navy was born on this date.

07 SEP 1956
On this date, Korean War Veteran and Ace, IN Alpha Brother Captain Iven Carl "Kinch" Kincheloe, Jr., U.S. Air Force piloted the Bell X-2 research rocket plane to a world's record 126,200 feet. He was the first person to ever fly above 100,000 feet. For this he was nicknamed "America's No. 1 Spaceman".

06 SEP 2006
VT Alpha Brother Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Lewis Koehler, U.S. Army, Army Reserve and New Jersey & Vermont Army National Guard (Retired) died on this date in Shelburne, Vermont.
Ed was born in Morristown in 1932. He graduated from Norwich University with a bachelor's degree in business administration. While at Norwich, Ed was a member of the French Club, Junior Weekend Committee, Outing Club, War Whoop Staff, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Hockey Team, Track, and Alpha Kappa Psi.

After his Army commissioning and graduation from Norwich, he served in the Army 2nd Armored Division in Germany and Austria. Lieutenant Colonel Koehler completed his Army Reserve career following tours in the New Jersey and Vermont National Guards. His business career began in New Jersey with Standard Oil and continued with Coin Depot Corp. In 1968, Brother Koehler relocated to Vermont and worked with Green Mountain Hardware, and he retired from Brite Technologies in 1997.

06 SEP 2008
U.S. Veteran NY Beta Brother Oliver J. Foster Jr. died on this date in Bennington, Vermont. Brother Foster’s branch of service is unknown, and if you have this any other information an email would be greatly appreciated.

08 SEP 2010
Just last year, ID Alpha Brother First Lieutenant James Walter Swan, U.S. Army died on this date at the age of 66 at his cabin in McCall, Idaho with his family by his side.

Our Brother was laid to rest with military honors at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery after the service.

Jim was born 23 MAY 1944 in Caldwell, Idaho. He grew up in Boise and the Idaho mountains enjoying camping, fishing, skiing and golfing. 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. He returned to Boise to work for his father at the Jess W. Swan Insurance Agency.

Jim and Gordon Walker purchased the Jess W. Swan agency in 1977. They enjoyed a great and successful partnership and business for many years. He was an active member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Idaho. He served in several capacities including President of the Idaho Independent Insurance Agents Association. He was also a former Independent Insurance Agent of the Year.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to McPaws Animal Shelter in McCall, the Boise Rescue Mission, or a charity of your choice.

GREAT NEWS!
*Welcome Home to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran and UT Beta Brother Captain Bill Muthiora, U.S. Army – Idaho Army National Guard! The previous edition of “This Week” was published prior to learning of Bill’s return on 05 SEP. We are very glad to learn that Brother Muthiora’s is safely back in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Thank you for your service.

*Hearty congratulations to OH Pi Brother Master Sergeant John Snow and his wife Emily on the birth of their daughter. On 07 SEP 2011, Lillian Grace Snow came in to this world at 6 pounds, 9 ounces.

We are always looking to post great news items about promotions, SigEp Patriots returning from combat deployments, marriages and alike. 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
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