  Truthfully, there is no fraternal brotherhood quite like Omega Mu at the University of Maine. We are proud of our history, and we are proud of the impressive number of fraternal brothers who played on many University of Maine athletic teams. With conviction and commitment, our Omega Mu athlete brothers brought a great deal of joy and satisfaction to the university community, creating many wonderful memories since the first baseball team was established at Maine State College in the 1870's. The worked together for the success of each Maine team, and the overall civic good of the University of Maine. The sheer number of Omega Mu athlete brothers is an unqualified triumph for the University of Maine. They each gave their best efforts on each team, and what they achieved perfectly compliments what we fraternally believe: drive and determination. It is a heady athletic legacy. Accordingly, their accomplishments claim our fraternal attention and respect. For the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are proud. Therefore, in the linked soul and spirit of our long fraternal history, we gratefully remember and celebrate our QTV and Omega Mu brothers who participated on many varsity athletic teams at the University of Maine. Their sacrifice of time was worth the effort for them and the student body at the University of Maine who watched them play. They created many warm memories since the early 1870’s. For the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are all very proud. Thoreau said it best: “What a difference, whether in all your walks, you meet only strangers, or in one house is one who knows you, and whom you know. To have a brother…How rare these things are.” How true that is, and we remain that way to this day. That is a proud fraternal legacy. Omega Mu Athlete John B. Edgar, Jr., 1957  Omega Mu Years         Late 50's and early 60's brothers at Pig Dinner.
Omega Mu Housemothers Mrs. Butts and Mrs. Tate          "Tom Tear, Phi Gam's cook for the past 35 years, prepared a buffet supper Sautuday night at the castle."
    "The Phi Gam house was decorated on a French Cafe theme for the formal Friday night. Dance music was by Dale Whitney. John Edgar was in charge of the affair." Fiji Island    "Phi Gams transformed their house into a tropical isle complete with palm trees, fish nest....and grass skirts for their traditional Fiji Island party....John Edgar was in charge." Winter Carnival King and Queen    Mr. Campus Chest  University of Maine Athlete                  John Edgar, first on the left, on the ground, trying to make a tackle.   "John Edgar thrilled the crowd with a 33 yard touchdown run that displayed possibly the best open field running the state series fans had seen all season."    Wesleyan University    John Edgar was an associate professor of physical education at Wesleyan University, as well as being the head coach of the swimming team, and an assistant coach of the football team. Wesleyan University swimming team records  He compiled a 41-10 record as the swimming coach.  “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge
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Our Omega Mu veteran-brothers who served in the military are cherished and constant fraternal friends, and we would like to say thank you for the steadfast, purposeful commitment you made to our nation to defend those four freedoms we all believe in: “Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.” For those brothers who were killed in defense of these freedoms, they will always occupy a consecrated place in our linked fraternal heart because they exemplify the idea of superlative commitment, strength, and fortitude for the good to the end itself. The greatness of their collective purpose and will, on our nation’s behalf, will never be forgotten. By their “clear-eyed faith and fearless heart,” these brothers have left us a fraternal legacy that echoes what we often say about Omega Mu Fijis: “Perseverance and determination are omnipotent.” Their code of integrity, courage, duty, responsibility, and self-sacrifice on behalf of our nation is a powerful legacy that we will always be proud of as Omega Mu Fijis. Whether it was at New Orleans, Red River, Fort Blakely, Marianna, San Juan Hill, Santiago de Cuba, Chateau-Thierry, Verdun, El Guettar, Elba, Monte Della Vedetta, the Battle of the Bulge, Rabaul, Inchon, Pusan, Chosin Reservoir, Pork Chop Hill, Hue, Easter Offensive, Phu Cat, The Iron Triangle, Hamburger Hill, la Drang Valley, Bien Hoa, Khe Sanh, Rumaila, Al-Batin, Medina Ridge, Kabul, Kandahar, our Omega Mu brothers have demonstrated devotion to duty in defense of freedom and liberty. They are the stability of our nation, and we, the Omega Mu brotherhood, revere, honor, and salute their persevering and determined spirit within our great nation and our historic brotherhood. We will always honor the heroism of all of our brothers who have served in the armed forces from the Civil War to the present. Thank you. Omega Mu Veteran Clifford H. West, Jr., 1943
Omega Mu Years    Omega MU Housemother, Mrs. Vickers   Omega Mu Housemother, Mrs. Walker   Snow Sculptures  "Phi Gam's snow sculpture last week was probably the most beautiful this university has ever seen."    "One of the finest examples of snow and ice sculpture at the carnival was the "spirit of light" executed mostly in ice by members of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. It received honorable mention. Dudley Utterback was chief designer."  Dudley Utterback University of Maine Clubs   
    Military Career   Clifford H. West, Jr., was in the First Marine Division during World War II.        Clifford H. West, Jr. was part of the assault landing on Peleliu.  Landing craft, LTVs, moving toward the beaches of Peleliu.  Clifford H. West's description of the assault on Peleliu: "We thought the landing would be a piece of calk. We offloaded and circled in rendezvous positions. Our ships were still were still firing just a little way from us. Then they stated the waves going in for landing. Soon we stated to hear that there was difficulty. Boats were being blown up and the landing was being opposed. I was probably in the 5th or 6th wave. Boats were not getting to shore. They ran into protruding obstacles. Bodies and stuff were floating in the bay. By that time planes were still dive-bombing but the naval gunfire had stopped....I could not believe that there could be such a change...When we started we thought it was going to be a real picnic."      Clifford W. West, Jr. served as a forward air controller to provide accurate information on enemy targets in order to coordinate and control air, artillery, and naval gunfire during the Battle of Peleliu. In this capacity, he was in constant contact with"Chesty" Puller with the information he was gathering from his forward position.  A Marine Corps F-4 Corsair dropping napalm on a Japanese held position in the mountains on Peleliu due to accurate information provided by Clifford H. West. Jr.  Chesty Puller, second from the left, on Peleliu.
Colonel Lewis "Chesty" Puller, one of the most celebrated Marine Corps officers. Clifford H. West's talking about Chesty Puller: "Puller was a real leader and fearless. When were pinned down there on Peleliu, he was walking around telling people to do this or move there, sometimes hollering at them if a person was cowering or not pulling his load. He was very severe with them. Just seeing him being as fearless as he was helped an awful lot. He was a good leader. He was like a bull in a china shop. He would push ahead a lot."     Clifford H. West was part of the assault landing on Okinawa with the 1st Marine Corps Regiment, and he was a forward air controller providing accurate information on enemy targets on the island.         When World War II ended, Clifford H. West was sent with the 1st Marine Corps Regiment to Tienstin, China.     The 1st Marine Corps Regiment was in Tienstin for occupation purposes, as well as to provide railroad protection from Peiping and Tienstin to Chinwangtao.   “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Over the years, our Omega Mu brothers were involved in many Maine Masque productions, including Malcolm E. Fassett, Harry Lovely, Nathan F. True, Fernando T. Norcross, Theodore W. Haskell, Charles E. Stickney, Robert Irvine, William Demant, Evans B. Norcross, J. Richard Buck, Willam Keith, Harry P. Carle, Howard L. Farwell, Jacob M. Horne, Jr.; Bryant M. Patten, Sumner Waite, Norman D. Carlisle, Paul F. Slocum, Clifford H. George, Ernest F. Andrews, Robert S. Hussey, Elwood D. Bryant, Howard J. Stagg, III; Stanley T. Fuger, John T. Clark, John W. Ballou, George R. Berger, Robert D. Parks, Arthur B. Conner, Louis Louis H. Thibaudeau, Henry S. Simms, among many, many others! Praise for them is merited. Exhibiting diligence and discipline, these Omega Mu brothers, through many decades, brought a joyful vibrancy and communal vitality to the University of Maine community. What a superb gift to give the community, rich, alive, and inspiring. Significantly, many of our Omega Mu brothers were a driving force in many of the plays because of the impactful, leading roles that they often played, luring and capturing the imagination of the audience as they moved and glided, with apparent ease and poise, on the theater boards. By all reports in the Maine Campus and the Bangor Daily, their performances were quit affecting. The quality and depth of their disciplined art form joyfully enriched the lives of countless numbers of people. Our Omega Mu Maine Masque theater brothers, just like our athlete brothers, are an enriching testament to what it means to be a fraternity brother in Omega Mu, and we are proud of their dedication, creativity, and commitment in adding such an important historic angle in our fraternal history at the University of Maine. They exemplify the good of what it means to be a positive part of the university community, and in doing so showing the good of fraternal culture. Attending a play is a special, spirited experience, and we are proud of the legacy of these brothers for their unbending commitment to the beautiful creative art and discipline of Maine Masque theater productions. These Maine Masque theater brothers make us proud, and their legacy in Maine Masque history continues to shine. They, too, like our Omega Mu athlete brothers, continue to enrich and strengthen our perseverant and determined fraternal identity. Omega Mu Maine Masque Brother Harry R. Lovely, 1917  Omega Mu Years          "Burke Bradbury, '16, shot a fine buck recently and the fellows enjoyed an excellent venison dinner on the following Sunday."    "An informal house dance was held on Thanksgiving afternoon and evening. There was a very jolly crowd present and everyone had an enjoyable time. The chaperon was Mrs. Estabrook"   Mrs. Estabrooke, wife of our Omega Mu Brother, Horace M. Estabrooke, 1876,  Estabrooke Hall    Maine Masque 
        "Whose stage presence and general rendition of the character was much admired."  Frank Stanley Kerr and Harry Richard Lovely as Galfred, Earl of Tweenwayes, and Andre, Count de Grival, respectively, as fun makers brought down the house from time to time and they took their parts as well as many professionals seen on the stage today.   "Lovely Elected President of Masque"        "Pedrolino (Harry R. Lovely), servant of to Lelio, was a great favorite, and acted his part with unusual ability."    “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge From multiple angles, our QTV and Omega Mu brothers have enriched the civic life at the University of Maine, and we are fortunate to have had many hardworking, talented brothers throughout our history. The balance between our athletic involvement, intellectual pursuits, and campus involvement is compelling. What they accomplished in their respective pursuits at the university constitutes a wonderful cultural and athletic achievement in our fraternal history. They thoughtfully represented our core values of persistence and determination. It is, believe me, a wonderful achievement, on the part of generations of Omega Mu brothers, for the respective gifts that they gave for the civic good at the University of Maine. It was a rich yield for the common good, always an enduring value that unites. All of them brightened up the university community, our Omega Mu brotherhood, and we are proud of all of them, and our gratitude is heartfelt. Over the years, our Omega Mu brothers have been involved in many musical productions at the University of Maine, and praise for them is merited. With the same unconditional focus, diligence and discipline as our athlete brothers, our musically focused brothers, through many decades, brought richness ands joy to the University of Maine community because of their involvement on various bands, orchestras, and choral groups. Their commitment was compelling, and the quality and depth of their art form enriched the lives of countless generations of students at the university, as well as many towns and cities throughout Maine and New England. Generously, with never-ending joy and inspiration, they always gave of their time and talent for the good in all of their musical performances. The embodied our old fraternal truth in being perseverant and determined in being faithful and generous with their beautiful musical gifts. Our Omega Mu Maine music brothers, just like our athlete and Maine Masque brothers, are an enriching testament to what it means to be a fraternity brother in Omega Mu. We remain proud of their dedication, creativity, and commitment in adding such a rich angle in our fraternal history at the University of Maine. Above all, what a superb gift to give anyone: music. Omega Mu Portrait Charles F. Smith, 1910  Omega Mu Years                          
  “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Truthfully, there is no fraternal brotherhood quite like Omega Mu at the University of Maine. We are proud of our history, and we are proud of the impressive number of fraternal brothers who played on many University of Maine athletic teams. With conviction and commitment, our Omega Mu athlete brothers brought a great deal of joy and satisfaction to the university community, creating many wonderful memories since the first baseball team was established at Maine State College in the 1870's. The worked together for the success of each Maine team, and the overall civic good of the University of Maine. The sheer number of Omega Mu athlete brothers is an unqualified triumph for the University of Maine. They each gave their best efforts on each team, and what they achieved perfectly compliments what we fraternally believe: drive and determination. It is a heady athletic legacy. Accordingly, their accomplishments claim our fraternal attention and respect. For the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are proud. Therefore, in the linked soul and spirit of our long fraternal history, we gratefully remember and celebrate our QTV and Omega Mu brothers who participated on many varsity athletic teams at the University of Maine. Their sacrifice of time was worth the effort for them and the student body at the University of Maine who watched them play. They created many warm memories since the early 1870’s. For the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are all very proud. Thoreau said it best: “What a difference, whether in all your walks, you meet only strangers, or in one house is one who knows you, and whom you know. To have a brother…How rare these things are.” How true that is, and we remain that way to this day. That is a heady fraternal legacy. Omega Mu Athlete Carl S. Cleaves, 1912  Omega Mu Years      
    While the breezes are whisp’ring that Summer is near, And all Nature rejoices in Spring, We are planting our Ivy with tenderest care, May its increase the future years bring. May it flourish and live; may it broaden and grow, Even higher its branches still climb; ‘Till covered be all of our dear-college walls Far down the long ages of time. (As printed in The Maine Campus, May 29, 1906, page 329)  University of Maine Athlete      
     “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand." (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)   Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Truthfully, there is no fraternal brotherhood quite like Omega Mu at the University of Maine. We are proud of our history, and we are proud of the impressive number of fraternal brothers who played on many University of Maine athletic teams. With conviction and commitment, our Omega Mu athlete brothers brought a great deal of joy and satisfaction to the university community, creating many wonderful memories since the first baseball team was established at Maine State College in the 1870's. The worked together for the success of each Maine team, and the overall civic good of the University of Maine. The sheer number of Omega Mu athlete brothers is an unqualified triumph for the University of Maine. They each gave their best efforts on each team, and what they achieved perfectly compliments what we fraternally believe: drive and determination. It is a heady athletic legacy. Accordingly, their accomplishments claim our fraternal attention and respect. For the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are proud. Therefore, in the linked soul and spirit of our long fraternal history, we gratefully remember and celebrate our QTV and Omega Mu brothers who participated on many varsity athletic teams at the University of Maine. Their sacrifice of time was worth the effort for them and the student body at the University of Maine who watched them play. They created many warm memories since the early 1870’s. For the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are all very proud. Thoreau said it best: “What a difference, whether in all your walks, you meet only strangers, or in one house is one who knows you, and whom you know. To have a brother…How rare these things are.” How true that is, and we remain that way to this day. That is a heady fraternal legacy. Omega Mu Athlete Harry P. Files, 1935  Omega Mu Years   
    Maine Freshmen  "They are, (left to right) - George Cobb of Auburn, Harry Files of Wapping, Conn, who was captured, received a haircut and later released by the sophomores."        "Saturday evening an informal was held, with ice cream, cookies, and punch served as refreshments."   "The meeting was an informal get-together to promote good fellowship and class feeling." 
 "Harry Files was chairman and master of ceremonies." 1935 Snow Sculpture      1936 Snow Sculpture   "Phi Gamma Delta, with a most remarkably executed tableau of a set of three figures on a raised dais, was adjudged as the winner."  
  University of Maine Athlete     Harry P. Files, second player in from the right. Portland Sagamores  Harry P. Saunders played for the Portland Sagamores, a semi-pro football team, during the 1934 and 1935 seasons.  Harry Files played exceedingly well for the Sagamores, and he was given a tryout with the Boston Redskins in 1936. 
  The Boston Redskins playing in Fenway Park.  “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge From multiple angles, our QTV and Omega Mu brothers have enriched the civic life at the University of Maine, and we are fortunate to have had many hardworking, talented brothers throughout our history. The balance between our athletic involvement, intellectual pursuits, and campus involvement is compelling. What they accomplished in their respective pursuits at the university constitutes a wonderful cultural and athletic achievement in our fraternal history. They thoughtfully represented our core values of persistence and determination. It is, believe me, a wonderful achievement, on the part of generations of Omega Mu brothers, for the respective gifts that they gave for the civic good at the University of Maine. It was a rich yield for the common good, always an enduring value that unites. All of them brightened up the university community, our Omega Mu brotherhood, and we are proud of all of them, and our gratitude is heartfelt. Over the years, our Omega Mu brothers have been involved in many musical productions at the University of Maine, and praise for them is merited. With the same unconditional focus, diligence and discipline as our athlete brothers, our musically focused brothers, through many decades, brought richness ands joy to the University of Maine community because of their involvement on various bands, orchestras, and choral groups. Their commitment was compelling, and the quality and depth of their disciplined art form joyfully enriched the lives of countless generations of students at the university, as well as many communities throughout Maine and New England. Generously, with never-ending joy and inspiration, they always gave of their time and talent for the good in all of their musical performances. The embodied our old fraternal truth in being perseverant and determined in being faithful and generous with their beautiful musical gifts. Our Omega Mu Maine music brothers, just like our athlete and Maine Masque brothers, are an enriching testament to what it means to be a fraternity brother in Omega Mu. We remain proud of their dedication, creativity, and commitment in adding such a rich angle in our fraternal history at the University of Maine. Above all, what a superb gift to give anyone: music. Omega Mu Musician Neil M. Calderwood, 1932  Omega Mu Years      Castle Quarantined, 1930 "The Phi Gamma fraternity house, one of the largest in point of student members, was placed under quarantine by university authorities today when one of its number, Kenneth Stone, of Augusta, was found to have a positive diphtheretic throat."
      This picture was taken in the house! The two Omega Mu brothers on the University Quartet are Herbert G. Follett and Neil M. Calderwood.         “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Our brothers careers have been productive, constructive, spirited, and prosaic. They displayed impressive skills, talents, and abilities They were, and we continue to be, a beautiful and lively expression of our enduring fraternal beliefs, and that underlying harmony is far-reaching in expectation for all brothers’, undergraduate and graduate. It is the core of what our fraternal founders asserted in 1848 and 1874 and 1899: to live active, commendable, and responsible lives, and to build up community. Clearly and compellingly, they added, and continue to add, positive value at the local, state, national, global, and fraternal level because they engaged life fully and responsibly. In short, they were authoritative pillars throughout life. They were-are exemplary in their citizenship, character, and their sense of dutiful responsibility, and, in many instances, they were leading voices in their career fields. They prove that success of any kind does not occur by luck or accident, and we remember them because they continue to provide that message for our time. Their spirit permeates our brotherhood, and it always will. We have long been, from one generation to the next, proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. We continue to cherish our fraternal friendships, our shared memories, and our evolving, forward-focused history at the University of Maine. These things, above and beyond everything else, are the underlying rooted connections that make us proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. Why, after all, should we believe otherwise? We have always exhibited a can-do fraternal spirit since 1874. And, to be sure, all present and future generations of Omega Mu Fijis will continue to do the same, with fraternal enthusiasm and commitment. As a brotherhood, we always see the path behind us and the way forward with equal clarity, and our future remains bright at 79 College Avenue because we fearlessly move forward, always guided by sound fraternal principles, and because of that we are an exceptional brotherhood because we remain committed and hardworking to assure that our Omega Mu brotherhood will continue to be the jewel at the University of Maine. Perge. Omega Mu Portrait Edward F. Danforth, 1877  Q. T. V. Years    First Q. T. V. Chapter Hall, 1876. Edward F. Danforth is probably one of the brothers in front of the house. This site is the present site of Coburn Hall.   "The entire expense of its erection was borne by the members and this demanded from considerable self-sacrifice and loyalty. As this was the first fraternity chapter built in the state, it surely must have been a building to be proud of."  "The Q. T. V. Hall, erected in 1876 by the labor (and funding) of the members of the fraternity, stood where Coburn Hall is now." Q. T. V. Brothers, 1877
Robert B. Burns and Samuel W. Gould
Samuel Shaw and Thomas J. Stevens  Frank P. Stone Sophomore Declamations 
       Boston University Law School     Author    Judge of Probate  1896-1905 Judge of Probate, Somerset County, Maine Congressman Maine House of Representatives, 1907  Honorary Degree University of Maine, 1932    "In the daily round of life, he has exemplified the eternal values which we like to think of belonging particularly to Maine, the State and the University-values of common sense. reason, social responsibility, and the need of giving the best to the job at hand." University of Maine Danforth Prizes  "The name of Judge Danforth has been written into the history of the University also through his annual gift of two undergraduate prizes." 1895 Reunion    "Our Fraternity. E. F. Danforth"  “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Our Omega Mu veteran-brothers who served in the military are cherished and constant fraternal friends, and we would like to say thank you for the steadfast, purposeful commitment you made to our nation to defend those four freedoms we all believe in: “Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.” For those brothers who were killed in defense of these freedoms, they will always occupy a consecrated place in our linked fraternal heart because they exemplify the idea of superlative commitment, strength, and fortitude for the good to the end itself. The greatness of their collective purpose and will, on our nation’s behalf, will never be forgotten. By their “clear-eyed faith and fearless heart,” these brothers have left us a fraternal legacy that echoes what we often say about Omega Mu Fijis: “Perseverance and determination are omnipotent.” Their code of integrity, courage, duty, responsibility, and self-sacrifice on behalf of our nation is a powerful legacy that we will always be proud of as Omega Mu Fijis. Whether it was at New Orleans, Red River, Fort Blakely, Marianna, San Juan Hill, Santiago de Cuba, Chateau-Thierry, Verdun, El Guettar, Elba, Monte Della Vedetta, the Battle of the Bulge, Rabaul, Inchon, Pusan, Chosin Reservoir, Pork Chop Hill, Hue, Easter Offensive, Phu Cat, The Iron Triangle, Hamburger Hill, la Drang Valley, Bien Hoa, Khe Sanh, Rumaila, Al-Batin, Medina Ridge, Kabul, Kandahar, our Omega Mu brothers have demonstrated devotion to duty in defense of freedom and liberty. They are the stability of our nation, and we, the Omega Mu brotherhood, revere, honor, and salute their persevering and determined spirit within our great nation and our historic brotherhood. We will always honor the heroism of all of our brothers who have served in the armed forces from the Civil War to the present. Thank you. Omega Mu Veteran Evans B. Norcross, 1919  Omega Mu Years    Coe Buck Scholarship  Evans B. Norcross was one of the first brothers to receive the Coe Buck Scholarship
Hosea B. Buck, 1893     University of Maine Clubs and Activities      
         World War I Whether it was at San Juan Hill, Santiago de Cuba, Sulu Archipelago, Chateau-Thierry, Verdun, El Guettar, Elba, Monte Della Vedetta, the Battle of the Bulge, Greece, Vienna, Saarbrucken, Rabaul, Inchon, Pusan, Chosin Reservoir, Pork Chop Hill, Hue, Phu Cat, The Iron Triangle, Hamburger Hill, la Drang Valley, Khe Sanh, Rumaila, Al-Batin, Medina Ridge, Kabul, Kandahar, our Omega Mu brothers have demonstrated devotion to duty in defense of freedom and liberty. They are the stability of our nation, and we, the Omega Mu brotherhood, revere, honor, and salute their persevering and determined spirit within our great nation and our historic brotherhood. We will always be grateful for the military service of every Omega Mu veteran from the Spanish-American War to the present. That is the beautiful thing about historic memory over many generations, and we will always honor and remember you. Thank you.    Marching on Stodder Commons, 1916 - 1917
  A letter from Evans B. Norcross while in France during World War I   
"Count" Fernando T. Norcross, Omega Mu, 1914      “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Buddy's Tattoo Shop Newport, Rhode Island   Happy New Year. The final page of our 148th fraternal year has turned, and we are now into our 149th year. The arc of our fraternal story continues to grow, and by all signs, undergraduate and graduate, forever linked, it is going to be an exceptional year. We all share in a fraternal history, a fraternal fellowship, that only grows richer in meaning as the years pass. We are all keenly aware of our history at the University of Maine, and we are, rightly so, proud of that history. Upon that fact there is no debate, and I am unequivocally sure that we are all thankful for whatever motivation, coincidence, circumstance, brought all of us to the front door of the Castle to start the pledging-initiatory journey to become Omega Mu brothers. In any case, thank God you went through the front door to become Omega Mu brothers, and in so doing becoming part of the historic lore of our fraternal brotherhood at Maine, steady and true since 1848, 1874, 1899, an unbroken fraternal chain. The brotherhood that we know and love today is the same as the love that the Q. T. V. brothers felt when they all sat together in front of the first Q. T. V. Chapter Hall. Our brotherhood is a living fraternal tradition, and it has been dear to the hearts of generations upon generations of men. And, as such, we are unique, and that is a wonderful testament to our collective resilience, perseverance and determination. With that being said, with our success in the past and present, we will continue to be a vibrant brotherhood 100 years from now. Alive and well, our rich fraternal heritage will continue. Be proud of that, that is all. The fraternal evidence of our rich history is a point of pride for all of us. Happily, we walked through the front door of the Castle. Happily, we all lived together in the Castle. Happily, and with deep gratitude, we return to the Castle to see life-long friends in the beautiful architectural space of our home, the Castle. Our Omega Mu brotherhood and the Castle, our historically great, durable, and indispensable union for joy through life. A simple truth that started with a simple Q.T.V. catchphrase: “Enjoyment, sociability, and the best interests of the brothers through life.” We are a tradition-grounded brotherhood, and we have been since our beginning. In various modified forms, traditions, rites, and events have shaped and defined the fraternal culture and fabric of our brotherhood since our Q.T.V. years. Good fraternal traditions have created our fraternal vitality and stability. Some of our traditions and events have been sincere and formal in nature, others had daily significance, and some have been nothing more than madcap escapades and easy-going pranks. They created a joyous fraternal spirit, in and out of the house, and unconditional fraternal fidelity. Generations of brothers shared in all of them, and all of them were enriching. They showed the soul of our brotherhood, and they created a positive fraternal camaraderie, a bond of friendship, that does last for life. In truth, traditions positively influenced our fraternal life with unwavering spirit, and we remember each of them with a smile. Consequently, viewed through the long lens of history, that is an unqualified good thing, and it continues to be that way today. Our good fraternal life would simply not have been what it was without them, and there is no way of overstating that reality. With that in mind, our traditions are the source of our living memory, and one thing is historically clear about each of them: living in the Castle was not a dull life because of them. Most importantly, we did not discuss whether our traditions were relevant, old-fashioned, or out-dated. On the contrary, we cherished all of them. And, perhaps, it is not too far-reaching to say that they did shape us for the better; I believe they did. They certainly did not hurt, and we lived with a strong collective sense of well-being. Taken all together then, we all experienced something unique and enjoyable because of the fraternal rhythmic structure of our daily, monthly, and seasonal traditions. They were all equally important, and they all had a shaping expressive effect in making our fraternal life really enjoyable. Living in the Castle was a seminal time in our lives that we do not regret, nor should we, and generation to generation our fraternal traditions have been, and they will continue to be, the underlying thread of our preeminent success at the University of Maine. We are a proud fraternal brotherhood, and we continue to deepen our historic roots with every new generation of Omega Mu Fiji undergraduates. As we are several years away from celebrating two historic moments in our combined fraternal history, we celebrate all of our traditions that have, separately and together, sustained us, fraternally steady and true, since 1874. a distinctive fraternal legacy. In the truest and broadest historic sense, there is no other brotherhood like ours, and for many years to come our undergraduate and graduate brothers will continue to guide and shape our unique, life-long brotherhood by sustaining our enjoyable, life-sustaining, and persevering traditions. To re-state the simply truth of our Q. T. V. fraternal coda: “Enjoyment, sociability, and the best interests of the brothers through life.” This abiding declarative statement still defines us as we enter 2023. The simple ideal of our founders, and it is the heartfelt essence of our fraternally cherished words: "Brotherhood." With that in mind, it is always fitting to look back and appreciate of one of our newer traditions: the spring pilgrimage to Buddy's Tattoo Shop in Newport, Rhode Island. Perge. Marked For Life     Kent Cousins  Don Marden  Harold Flynn  Dave Brown  Rob Hardy  Eternal Reminder “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge |
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