This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 18 – 25 AUG

(To get us back to our correct format, this work covers 8 days.)

“It may be taken as our position, and the basis of our system, that every man who enjoys the protection of a free government owes not only a portion of his property but even of his personal services in defense of it.” ~ George Washington

 

Brothers,

19 AUG 1966

World War II Veteran and WI Alpha Brother James R. Boren died on this date in Marinette, Wisconsin.

18 AUG 1980

World War II Veteran and KS Gamma Brother Major General Frank H. Spink, Jr., U.S. Air Force Reserve died on this date.

Respect can be paid to Brother Spink at Section O, Site 282, Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, Fort Leavenworth, KS.

20 AUG 2007

U.S. Navy Veteran and FL Epsilon Founding Father Major Herbert Luther Marsh, U.S. Air Force (Retired) died on this date in Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 80. Herbert joined the Navy following his graduation from high school, and after completing his tour he attended Florida State University where he was a charter member of FL Epsilon. He later attended Georgetown University, and subsequently joined the Air Force retiring at the rank of Major after 20 years of service.

Major Marsh returned to Jacksonville with his family, becoming the director of the NE FL chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and later the NE FL chapter of the Leukemia Society. He devoted over 20 years to helping those stricken with these diseases. In his most recent years he was the owner of Marsh Tax Services.

Respect can be paid to Brother Marsh at Greenlawn Cemetery in Jacksonville.

19 AUG 2012

OH Eta Brother
Dick Allyn,
CDR, US Navy (Retired)

Korean War Veteran and OH Eta Brother Commander Richard “Dick” Hall Allyn, U.S. Navy (Retired), 81, died on this date in Albany, New York. In 1954, Brother Allyn accepted a commission in the U.S. Navy. He was a naval aviator and flight instructor during his service to the country during the Korean War and continued his military service through 1977.

Dick cared deeply about his vocation as an executive for the Boy Scouts of America for more than 30 years. He held all the important positions in the organization in several councils across the country. His service culminated in a position on the National Staff Northeast Region.

Respect can be paid to Brother Allyn at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, NY.

20 AUG 2012

Two SigEp Patriots died on this date.

IN Beta Brother Captain F. Robert “Bob” Brueckmann, U.S. Army died on this date after a long illness. After Bob graduated from Indiana University, he attended the university’s medical school earning his M.D. in 1954. From 1955-57, he was stationed in Livorno, Italy where he worked as a radiologist for the U.S. Army Medical Corps.

In 1962, Brother Brueckmann and his partner, Donald Blackwell, founded Orthopaedics Indianapolis, now known as Ortho Indy. This was his life's work and his legacy. He had many academic and hospital appointments – including his appointments as Assistant, Associate, and Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Indiana University from 1962 until his death.

U.S. Army World War II Veteran and WI Alpha Brother David Joseph Flanagan, Jr., 88, died on this date in New London, Wisconsin. While attending Lawrence University, he was called into the Army during WWII where he served in France, Austria, Belgium, and Germany until the war in Europe ended. He was then transferred to the Pacific Theater where he served in the Philippines. After returning home in 1946 he succeeded his father as President of the family sauerkraut business, Flanagan Bros. Inc. which then became Great Lakes Kraut Co. and is now known as GLK Foods.

Respect can be paid to Brother Flanagan at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Cemetery, Bear Creek, WI.

RECENT LOSSES TO THE ROLL

* SPP was informed this week that NJ Alpha Brother Colonel Timothy James Kelly, U.S. Air Force (Retired) passed away in July.

* U.S. Navy World War II Veteran and MO Alpha Brother Jack Bruce Galpin, Sr., 86, passed away 18 AUG in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Jack entered the U.S. Navy in 1944 where he served two years active duty as a Radioman Second Class before being honorably discharged.


OH Epsilon Brother
Elliott A. Soule

* U.S. Army World War II Veteran and OH Epsilon Brother Elliott Ashley "Slim" Soule, 90, of Frederick, Maryland died on 19 AUG 2013 at his residence. Slim served his country in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942 to 1945 in Germany, France and England.

* Korean War Veteran and KS Delta Founding Father Sergeant Robert D. Fisher, U.S. Army, 82, passed away 20 AUG. After graduating from Washburn University, Brother Fisher served in the Army and was discharged in 1956.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and chapter brothers of SigEp Patriots Kelly, Galpin, Soule, and Fisher. While they are no longer with us, the greatest casualty is being forgotten, and SPP pledges these Brothers will always be remembered.

CELEBRATIONS!

* 18 AUG – CA Upsilon Brother Sergeant Jason Fredrick, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and his wife, Claudia, became the proud parents of an 8lb, 7oz (20inches) baby girl, Irene!

* 22 AUG – OIF and OEF Veteran and NY Epsilon Brother Lieutenant Junior Grade Anthony Huskisson, U.S. Navy Reserve and wife, Terese, announced that they are expecting a boy!

* 23 AUG – This day marked the last day of service in the U.S. Marine Corps for two-time OEF Veteran and MA Alpha Brother First Lieutenant Justin LeBlanc. On the same day, OIF and OEF Veteran AK Alpha Brother Joel Fix, Sr. learned he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army National Guard (Virginia) effective 01 AUG. Also on that day, NY Chi Brother and ROTC Cadet Andrew Nelden joined his father and numerous SIgEp Patriots by graduating from training as a U.S. Army Paratrooper. Congratulations to Brothers LeBlanc, Fix and Nelden, and thank you for your service!

* This week, two SigEp Patriots became engaged. OIF Veteran and MO Mu Brother First Lieutenant Mike Herbst, U.S. Army proposed to Miss Danie Belle. U.S. Army OIF and OEF Veteran PA Upsilon Brother Paul Yi proposed to Miss Nicole Marie. Nicole and Paul are also expecting a baby girl!

* CA Theta Brother Specialist Frank Beardsley, U.S. Army National Guard (California) announced that he will be attending the Brentwood Police Department Academy in early September.

* Today, OEF Veteran and AR Alpha Brother Specialist Jordan Walker, U.S. Army stated he was out of Afghanistan and on his way home with a “layover” in Kyrgyzstan. Safe travels, Brother!

Have great news of a promotion, new orders, the birth of a child or anything else? SPP would love to share it with everyone! Just send an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP) UPDATE

* The archives of SPP contain the names of more than 4,190 SigEp Patriots!

* SPP’s official Facebook group – SigEps Who Serve – now numbers over 610 such Brothers. Did you serve or know a Brother who does? If so, please let us know by emailing sigepswhoserve@gmail.com or go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve to join your brothers-in-arms. We will ask for your home chapter, rank, branch of service, military status (active, reserve, retired, etc.), and whether you are a combat veteran. Please help SPP find our fellow SigEp Patriots by sending them the link.

Fraternally and Respectfully,

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

sigepswhoserve@gmail.com