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.
