Brothers,
“The lists of members of Illinois Alpha in service were published regularly in the SigEp Journal. The first such listing was in November 1941 and these continued to be published until February 1946. The records indicate that our chapter had 154 members in military service during World War II.” ~ Taken from IL Alpha website
Why hasn’t The Journal regularly done the same since the beginning of the global war on terrorism? The SigEp Patriots Project has plenty of information and continues to desire to assist Richmond in recognizing our patriotic Brothers.
23 JAN 1928KY Beta Brother Pharmacist Mate Third Class
Kenneth James Goodman, U.S. Navy was born on this date.
25 JAN 1930On this date, CO Beta Brother Captain
Robert Donnice Urbana, U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired) was born in Denver, Colorado.
28 JAN 1931Korean War Veteran and Prisoner of War, TN Alpha Brother Sergeant First Class
John William “Bill” Rambo, U.S. Army / Tennessee National Guard was born on this date.
25 JAN 2004On this date, U.S. Army World War II Veteran FL Alpha Brother
Jack McKay Dyer, Sr. died in Winter Haven, Florida. SigEp Patriot Dyer was born on 20 OCT 1926 in Orlando, FL. His obituary listed him as “a life member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at University of Florida”, and “a U.S. Veteran serving in the Army during WWII.”
Jack was an administrative manager for the groves department with Coca-Cola Foods for 40 years, and past Treasurer and President of the Orlando Amateur Athletic Association.
Respect can be paid to Brother Dryer at the Rolling Hills Cemetery in Winter Haven.
29 JAN 2005World War II Veteran and CO Delta Brother Private
Erling “Swede” Kristian Arnston, U.S. Army died on this date. SigEp Patriot Arnston was born on 04 MAR 1925, and before attending Colorado School of Mines he served as a combat infantryman in the Pacific during World War II.
Ever the Renaissance man, Swede enjoyed reading and sharing poetry or a good story, and was always the first to figure out an innovative way to fix something. In 1987, he retired from a career with Amoco Oil and moved to Grand Junction, Colo. It was there that he became active in the local Rotary club, participating in community activities and organizing its annual Christmas bell-ringing activities. Swede’s love of life was recognized throughout his lifetime and he received many honors and distinctions including the Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Loyal Alumnus Award from the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, and the Paul Harris Fellow Award from his fellow Rotarians.
Respect can be paid to Brother Arnston at Sidney Cemetery in Sidney, Montana.
27 JAN 2009U.S. Army Air Corps World War II Veteran IL Delta Brother
James Powers died on this date in Peoria, Illinois. SigEp Patriot Powers was awarded the Bronze Star medal for his service in World War II, and was a founding member of the Army Air Museum in Great Britain. James was a sales engineer for Wilkins Pipe & Supply, retiring in 1995.
23 JAN 2010This was a sad day last year for NC Delta.
World War II Veteran and NC Delta Brother Private First Class
Samuel Mallette Gattis III, U.S. Marine Corps died at the age of 84, in Hillsborough, North Carolina. SigEp Patriot Gattis was born on 04 DEC 1925, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II before attending the University of North Carolina. Samuel retired after a long career as the first county manager of Orange County. Respect can be paid to Brother Mallette at St. Matthews Episcopal Church Cemetery, Hillsborough, NC.
Vietnam War Veteran and NC Delta Brother Major
Robert Monroe McWhorter, U.S. Army (Retired) was a paratrooper and a weapons system operator, completing 137 combat missions in Southeast Asia. While at UNC, he served in the Air Force ROTC. After retiring from the Army, SigEp Patriot McWhorter worked in the banking industry.
24 JAN 2010U.S. Army Veteran VT Alpha Brother
Ferdinand “Ferd” Mario Anair Collins succumbed to Lou Gehrig’s disease at his home in St. Augustine, Florida at the age of 74. Born in Waterbury, Vermont on 08 DEC 1935, Ferd graduated from Waterbury High School where he distinguished himself as class president each year and as a leading contributor to champion basketball, baseball, and ski teams.
SigEp Patriot Collins began an Army career upon his graduation from Norwich with a B.S. in Business Administration and a commission as a Second Lieutenant. He served in the 14th Armored Cavalry, Bad Hersfeld, Germany, followed by a second tour in Germany in the 82nd Airborne Division Tank Battalion where he was promoted to tank company commander during the Berlin Wall tensions and Cold War. His last three-year assignment was at Middlebury College as an assistant professor teaching military science.
In 1968, Ferd began his civilian career at Deck House, Inc. of Acton, MA, rising to New England regional sales manager. During his 17 years at Deck House, he ranked first or second in sales volume each year. In 1984, his career move was to Pella Windows and Doors of New England as executive vice president and general manager. He brought the company to a 50 percent increase in growth and became president and chief operating officer before retiring.
Brother Collins was an incredible steward of the community. A Boy Scout leader, Little League baseball and soccer coach, and for years he was honored to be the Memorial Day parade marshal and to call out, with reverence, the name of each fallen veteran from Carlisle, MA. While living in Massachusetts, Ferd served his alma mater, Norwich University, for 15 years on the Board of Fellows with several committee assignments including recruitment, admissions, and building committee.
When Ferd and his wife retired to St. Augustine, FL in 1999, he continued his service to the community. He was a volunteer for five years at the Tournament of Players, Sawgrass, serving on the commissary committee for the golf pros. He was also a volunteer marshal at the Legends of Golf Tournament, World Golf Village, for several years, and as a member of the RSVP volunteer organization and for three years delivering Meals on Wheels weekly for the Council on Aging.
27 JAN 2011On this date, two SigEp Patriots were lost to us.
U.S. Army Veteran MS Gamma Brother
Rodney Lee Fulton died in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Rodney was a native of Neshoba County and a longtime resident of the Bond Community. He was a retired teacher and taught business education at Moselle, Bond, Neshoba Central, Choctaw Central and Philadelphia High School, and substitute taught at other tribal schools after retirement. Respect can be paid to SigEp Patriot Fulton at the Bond Methodist Cemetery in Philadelphia.
Vietnam War Veteran and TN Beta Brother Lieutenant Colonel Dr.
Henry Milton Labiche, Jr., U.S. Army Medical Corps died in Johns Creek, Georgia. Born in New Orleans on 04 JUN 1936, his family moved to Jackson, Mississippi and there he became involved in the Boy Scouts of America – becoming an Eagle Scout.
Henry did his residency in Pathology in the United States Army Medical Corps from 1965 until 1971 where he obtained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His service in the Army took him to Honolulu, HI, where he worked at Tripler Army Hospital. Because of the Viet Nam conflict, Tripler was the best hospital offered to learn Pathology. Following Honolulu, He was stationed in St. Louis, MO, where he was Commanding Officer of the Medical Clinic.
After leaving military service, Henry and his family settled in Columbus, GA where he joined a practice in Pathology and later became director. Over the years, they moved several times, and upon retirement settled in LaGrange, Georgia. In retirement, Henry and his wife, Francie, enjoyed a number of charitable works including organizing blood drives for the American Red Cross and visiting hospice patients. Henry was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and was last active in Council 9515.
Respect can be paid to SigEp Patriot Labiche at the St. Teresa Cemetery in Campbell, Missouri.
RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL
* GA Gamma Brother Lieutenant
John Robert O’Neal, Sr., U.S. Navy Reserve died on 31 DEC in Blythewood, SC. Following graduation, John entered the Navy and became a pilot. He served his country on active duty for five years, as well as additional years a reserve officer.
* World War II Veteran and VA Alpha Brother Major
John Thomas Watkins, Jr., U.S. Army Air Corps died in Morgantown, WV on 02 JAN. John joined the Army Air Corps in November of 1940, left Langley Field, VA for Australia with the 22nd Bomb Group 08 DEC 1941, and served in action until July 1944, when he was transferred home. He was separated from the service as a Major in 1946.
* World War II Veteran and NC Gamma Brother Captain
James William Bew II, U.S. Army Air Corps passed away on 08 JAN 2012 at Treasure Coast Hospice in Stuart, Florida.
* U.S. Army World War II Veteran IA Gamma Brother
Everett “Ev” Ermal Jones died at the hospital on 08 JAN 2012.
* U.S. Air Force and South Carolina Air National Guard Veteran, SC Alpha Brother
Roger Krick Sr. passed away on 22 JAN 2012.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of these Brothers, and the SigEp Patriots Project promises that their service to the Nation will never be forgotten.
CELEBRATIONS!* Proud days for NC MU! Brother
Brian Plamondon was recently promoted to Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps, and Brother
Jacob Rudy left for Marine Corps Officer Candidate School last week!
Congratulations to our Brothers and we wish them the best of luck!
UPDATE: SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP)* SPP is very pleased to announce that the following SigEp Patriots have joined more than 420 such Brothers in the SigEps Who Serve Facebook group – the official such group of the SigEp Patriots Project:
TN Gamma Brother & Flight Surgeon
Brad Sherman, U.S. Navy and TN Kappa Brother & MP
Matt Hall, U.S. Army.
Brothers who serve/served in the U.S. military are welcome to join us at
http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve. Not on Facebook? Send an email to
sigepswhoserve@gmail.com to join the SPP listserve.
Fraternally and Respectfully,
Brother Ed Jones, NY Eta ‘96
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
