This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 22 – 28 April

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” ~ Steve Jobs

Brothers,

24 APR 1942

World War II Veteran and WI Alpha Brother Everett Roudebush entered the U.S. Army on this date after finishing a concert tour with Salvatore Baccaloni, noted Metropolitan Opera Company star. Everett would go on to achieve the rank of Corporal before being discharged.

27 APR 1964

World War I Veteran, Judge (5th Judicial Circuit) and U.S. Congressman (Virginia) VA Eta Brother Private Joel West Flood, U.S. Army died on this date in Richmond, VA. During WWI, Brother Flood served in Company A, 350th Engineers, 80th Division before being discharged in 1919.

Joel was born in 1894 near Appomattox, Virginia, became a SigEp at University of Virginia, and later attended Oxford University. After studying law he was admitted to the bar in 1917 and commenced practice in Appomattox.

The same year he completed his military duty, Joel was elected Virginia State Commonwealth Attorney of Appomattox County. He served until 08 NOV 1932 when he was elected to the Seventy-Second Congress to fill a vacancy. Brother Flood then resumed the practice of law, and after serving as a delegate to the 1936 Democratic National Convention was appointed assistant United States attorney for the western district of Virginia in 1939.

In JAN 1940, Joel was elected as a judge of the fifth judicial circuit of Virginia, and he served in this capacity until his death.

Respect can be paid to Brother Flood at the Flood Mausoleum, Appomattox Courthouse Square, Appomattox, VA.

29 APR 2005

U.S. Army World War II Veteran and NY Alpha Brother R. Charles Backus died on this date in Mexico, New York at the age of 84. During WWII he was a cryptographer in the Signal Corps.

He was an owner of the Oswego County Weeklies for over 50 years. He was a nationally known Holstein Auctioneer with R. Austin Backus Inc. He served many years as a delegate of the National Holstein Convention. He was a member of the Holstein Association of New York State and on the national level. He was a member of the Oswego Country Club and The Elms Golf Course.

Respect can be paid to Brother Backus at Mexico Village Cemetery in Mexico, NY.

27 APR 2006

A hero died on this date at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas as a result of wounds received during combat operations in Habbaniyah, Iraq. Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran and MI Beta Brother Sergeant Matthew Alan Webber, U.S. Army National Guard (Michigan) was 23 years old.

Matt attended Western Michigan University, joined the Army National Guard in 1999, and was called to active duty in June 2005. Brother Webber was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), Michigan Army National Guard on 21 NOV 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee.

Respect can be paid to Brother Webber at Pine Plains Cemetery, Big Rapids, Michigan.

Last week in SigEp Patriot History, 22 – 28 August

Greetings from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu, Hawaii! As I sit here across from the USS Arizona Memorial, I am solemnly reminded as to the importance and many functions of remembering history. It is my hope that each of you will continue to make others aware of the group, as well as share stories about your lives and military careers so that they can be preserved and remembered.

Fraternally and Respectfully,

Ed Jones
NY Eta ‘96
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve
Founder, SigEp Patriots Project
sigepswhoserve@gmail.com

"He belongs to history as furnishing one of the greatest examples of successful patriotism. He belongs to posterity as the instructor of future generations in the principles of liberty and freedom. He belongs to the present by his virtue and his achievements.”
~ General Douglas MacArthur, U.S. Army (Speaking of the American man under arms)

26 AUG 1897
On this date, World War I Veteran / VA Epsilon Brother / Mayor (Kenbridge, VA) / Virginia State Representative / Second Lieutenant Cralle Fauntleroy Blackwell, U.S. Army was born in Lunenburg County, Virginia.

28 AUG 1922
World War II Veteran / OH Mu Brother Joseph E. “Joachim” Vouros, U.S. Army was born on this date in Youngstown, Ohio. In 1941, soon after commencing his studies at Youngstown State University, Brother Vouros interrupted his college studies to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1941.

24 AUG 1924
On this date, CO Gamma Brother / World War II and Korean War Veteran Dr. John Russell Carney, U.S. Army (WWII) and Captain, U.S. Air Force (Korean War) was born on this date in Greely, Colorado.

23 AUG 1949
MT Alpha Brother / Lieutenant Commander Richard Wesley Eddy, Jr., U.S. Navy was born on this date in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone.

28 AUG 2008
On this date, Former District Governor / IN Alpha Brother Rex A. Sebastian, U.S. Navy (Purdue University ’51) passed away.

Brother Sebastian was born 16 SEP 1929. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue University (1951) and a MBA from Indiana University (1952). His first position after graduating from Indiana University was in production management supervision for Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. Then he served for 33 months as an officer in the Supply Corps of the U.S. Navy.

Rex served as Senior Vice President-Operations, Office of the Chairman, Dresser Industries, Inc., from JAN 1975 to JUL 1985, at which time Mr. Sebastian took early retirement. In his capacity, Mr. Sebastian had total corporate responsibility for one of Dresser's defined product segments, the General Industrial Segment. In terms of annual revenue, the General Industrial Segment accounted for approximately $1 billion.

RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL
Since the last rendition of “This Week,” the following SigEp Patriots have passed away:

*NE Alpha Brother / World War II Veteran Colonel Addis “Tad” Thompson Ward, U.S. Army & U.S. Army Reserve (Retired) was lost to us on 04 AUG. Brother Ward was born 11 OCT 1923 in Bancroft, Nebraska, and served in the Army during WWII and in the Army Reserve from 1946 to 1983. In his recent obituary, Tad proudly listed his presidency of a Sigma Phi Epsilon AVC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 6001 A Street, Lincoln, NE 68510; St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 691, Borrego Springs, CA 92004; or Bancroft-Rosalie Community Schools Foundation, 708 Main Street, Bancroft, NE 68004.

Of note: A memorial service will be held at 10am this Saturday (03 SEP), at Holy Trinity Church, 6001 A Street, Lincoln, NE. A brunch is to follow.

*World War II Veteran / SigEp Citation Recipient / OH Epsilon Brother Dr. Hugh A Harter, U.S. Army died 13 AUG in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

His distinguished career in education and literature was disrupted only once, for his service in World War II with the Military Intelligence 3d Army at Normandy and then the Air Transport Command.

Brother Harter’s military service was recognized with a burial with military honors at Greenlawn Cemetery in Housatonic, MA. A memorial service will be held in Portsmouth at a later date.

*OK Beta Brother and Chapter President Robert M. "Bob" Jernigan Sr., U.S. Army passed away on 17 AUG in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Bob was born on 28 SEP 1935 in Oklahoma City.

Brother Jernigan’s obituary only listed that he was in the Army, and that after serving our country he completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma where he was a leader as OK Beta’s chapter president.

Bob’s sacrifices for our Nation were recognized with a military burial at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: All Souls' Episcopal Church (All Souls' Episcopal Church, 6400 N. Penn Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK) or Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation at http://www.sigepfoundation.org/.

*MI Alpha Brother First Lieutenant George Henry Cress, U.S. Army (University of Michigan ’58) died 18 AUG after an extended illness in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was 74 years old.

Our condolences to their friends and family. Thank you for your service. Rest in Peace, Brothers.

NEWS! CONGRATULATIONS!
*We continue to grow! The SigEp Patriots our proud to have another Brother-in-arms among the ranks. OH Sigma Brother Brad Haines was commissioned Friday as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Congratulations and best of luck, Brad!

*This week the SigEp Patriots Project listserve reached the 100 member mark, and military Brothers (regardless of length and/or type of service - ROTC, current and former active duty, reserve and retired) can join brothers on the listserve by sending an email to sigepswhoserve-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. To find the official Project group on Facebook, click on http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve.

If you would like to share news or information about a SigEp Patriot, please drop an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.