  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 we can all 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 Ernest L. Coolbroth, 1918
Omega Mu Years       "He's been riding on the band-wagon for three years tooting his piccolo...Bryan could find a good yodler in "Soup" for his Chautauqua lectures."    Alumni Smoker 
 
Charle W. Mullen Omega Mu, 1883          Ernest L. Coobrother, first row, fourth one in from the right.    Marching on Stodder Commons; Carnegie Hall and Balentine Hall are behind.  The Cadet Band is in the middle of the picture marching from right to left.  The Cadet Band in Bangor.   The University of Maine Cadet Band was called into service from 1916-1917 with the 2nd Maine Infantry. The University of Maine Band served on the Mexican border to protect the southern U.S. border from Mexican raids. The band was to boost the morale of the National Guard units and the United States Army by having concerts and parades, and the Maine Cadet Band was the only college band to be in the United States Army stationed in Laredo, Texas.    Omega Mu Brothers Ernest L. Coolbroth and Bryant L. Hopkins went to the Mexican Border.  Bryant L. Hopkins, '17         The Maine encampment, left.  "Hac, Currier, Brownie, King, Beckler, K. Brown, Page, Hanson, and Coolbroth all in one tent."  Ernest L. Coolbroth, first on the right, front row.    "Cooly, Gyp, Brownie and Richardson go down watermelon feed in town. Great time."  "Page, Beckler and Hanson had been working on our tent while Cooly slept."  "In the evening Brownie, Cooly, Gyp and Stoddard go to church to play - dates."  "Cooly goes home with a Miss White, They meet her steady and Cooly has to run for his life."    Maine Cadet Band playing "The Houn' Dog Rag" while they were in camp.  Colonel Frank Hume  "The paper gave the list of the regiment to be relieved and the Second Maine headed the list."  "The Second Florida is to relieve us."  "We marched four miles to the big parade ground where all the troops in the Laredo district were assembled."  "Pulled out of Laredo at 11:25."  "Cooly's folks arrive with a chicken dinner which goes fine. Rest of the day spent in entertaining."   Streamer for the Mexican Border Campaign, 1916-1917. World War I      
   As the 103rd Infantry was on its way to France, the 103rd Infantry Band, still made up of the men from the University of Maine Band, caught sight of Hume's ship. Crowding to the railing of their own ship, they blared "The Houn' Dog Rag" over the waves for his benefit."   Chemin des-Dames  "The band headquarters was in the ruined village of Nanteuil-la-Fosse. Now began the band's service as stretcher-bearers with the battalion first-aid posts, which was to continue for six months, with only a few days service as musicians in all this time.
 Nanteuil-la-Fosse Toul Toul sector.     103rd Infantry around Toul.  "The formerly quiet quiet sector became more active with the appearance of U.S. troops, and the battle of Seicheprey was the first engagement in which the 26th Division took part."   "1st Battles in France in which Americans participated without aid of French was Bois Brule-Seicheprey."  103rd Infantry arriving in Seicheprey.    German artillery hitting Seicheprey. The American Command Post was behind the church.    "The band performed its work under a vicious gas bombardment, and one man from the band was evacuated, gassed"   
 Monument honoring the 26th Division in Seicheprey. Apremont   103rd Infantry marching toward Apremont.   Apremont, France. "In this storm of steel one of the bandsmen, J. Arthur Stowell, a Colby man, met his death while giving first aird to a wounded man near X Wray. With the loss of this brave and fun-loving comrade, war became something more than an exciting game to the bandsmen."   Chateau-Thierry  "The band will remember the celebration the French inhabitants gave them on July 4th, with a very flattering speech by the Mayor, and bottles of vin rouge passed around the Mayor's pretty daughter."    "With the opening of the offensive at Chateau Thierry, the bandsmen were in the thick of one of the crucial battles of the war. For four days they toiled in the front line, moving forward continually, with almost no sleep an little to eat besides their small emergency rations, trying to cope with the tremendous stream of wounded. Half starved, staggering from fatigue, with blood-shot eyes, they continued their work till flesh and blood could stand no more.Man after man, the band dwindled to sixteen men."  Chateau Thierry after the Germans retreated. Bar-le-Duc  Bar-le-Duc  "The band men were now hardened to the point where an all night twenty hike with a camel load of equipment, reinforced internally by tomato soup twice a day, meant only momentary discomfort. To add to their trouble, cold weather and a persistent rain kept them wet and chilled to the bone, and fires, even smoking, were prohibited." St. Remy   "Thanks to an order from Gen. Pershing, bandsmen were no longer allowed to act as stretcher-bearers; so they had the opportunity of watching the most colossal barrage American artillery ever put over."  General Pershing  German bunkers, above and below, in the woods around St. Remy.  Verdun  Verdun, the citadel is in the foreground.    "But the band's luck was still good, and the outfit reached the regiment safely at daybreak." Cote du Poivre   "At this time the band reached the height of its musical efficiency during it active service.  Cote du Poivre, above and below.    Armistice, November 11th   American soldiers celebrating the end of the World War I on November 11th. Montigny-le-roi    "There remained only the parade in Boston, April 25th, in which the musicians claimed to have developed a chest expansion of seven inches....With the demobilization of this unit, thirty of the finest comrades that two years of hardship and danger could reveal at their real worth, separated, a few to return to college, the rest to regain their positions in civil life."  Waiting to board the ship in Brest to go to Boston.  Arriving in Boston.  "The little history would be incomplete without a tribute to absolute loyalty of the bandmen to their work and their organization. The band was always a like a big family, in great contrast to the conditions on many other regimental bands. The old U. of M. band can safely claim for itself the honor of having put in more time at the front that any band in the A.E.F."  
 Commemorating the end of World War I at the University of Maine.  “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
0 Comments
 Q. T. V. was established in 1874.    University of Maine Campus, 1876 First Q. T. V. Chapter Hall, second from the right.    "When fond recollections present them to view." N. E. Wilson, Q. T. V. brother  Nathaniel E. Wilson  Our Q. T. V. Brothers in front of the house in 1876, the present site of Coburn Hall.   Q. T. V. Brothers that are most likely in the 1876 picture.
Charles E. Oak and Oliver Crosby
Edward M. Blanding and Horace M. Estabrooke
Robert B. Burns and Edward F. Danforth
Samuel W. Gould and Samuel Shaw
Thomas J. Stevens and Frank P. Stone
A. J. Caldwell and Charles C. Elwell
John C. Patterson and Edward J. Blake
Wilbur F. Decker and Frank E. Kidder  Charles A. Morse     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 we can all 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 James E. Hill, 1996  Omega Mu Years    Military Career   James E. Hill served in the Army's 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan.   "In 2001, the 10th Mountain Division provided the first conventional combat forces to deploy in response to the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States."          "The 10th Mountain Division patch stands for skill and it stands for the power of our military. And it stands for the best values of the United States of America."    "The 10th Mountain will go down history for its role in America's longest war, becoming the first division to spend 20 consecutive years in combat..."   “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 we can all 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 Stephen D. Sumner, 1998  Omega Mu Years    Military Career  Operation Iraqi Freedom      9-11  Osama Bin Laden  New York: Twin Towers  
  Washington D. C.: Pentagon      Shanksville, Pennsylvania    Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan           Somalia     “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 we can all 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 Charles L. Pfeiffer, 1943
Omega Mu Years  Omega Mu Years
   
 1940 Snow Sculpture 
    "Phi Gamma Delta Member Dudley Utterback, designer and chief engineer of the winnig statue in the Snow Sculpturing contest held at the University of Maine." 1941 Snow Sculpture "Spirit of Light"  "Phi Gam's snow sculpture last week was probably the most beautiful this university has ever seen."   "It's connection to the carnival was pretty remote. But if barred from first place for that reason, why was it given any mention? Because it was too good to ignore."  "It received first honorable mention. Dudley Utterback of Bangor was chief engineer"
 Maine Masque  Over the years, our Omega Mu brothers have been involved in many Maine Masque productions, including Charles L. Pfeiffer, 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, 147 years strong. 
     University of Maine Athletics     Military Career   Second Lieutenant Charles L. Pfeiffer served in the 10th Mountain Division in Italy during World War II.     
Above, the 10th Mountain Division near Monte delle Vedetta, Italy. Charles L. Pfeiffer was killed near Monte delle Vedetta on March 3rd, 1945.   "The 3rd Platoon under Lieutenant Charles L. Pfeiffer swung around to the right to flank the hill. They received rifle fire from the farm in the saddle, but were able to pass to the left between the hill and up onto the upper slopes."  "Lieutenant Pfeiffer, out in front of his men reconnoitering for his platoon position, was hot by small arms fire. He lay unable to move in front of his platoon in an exposed position under machine gun and small arms fire. Lieutenant Pfeiffer later died of his wounds."       "In Grateful Remembrance to the Alumni and Former Students of the Department of Forestry of the University of Maine who gave their Lives in Service of their Country."     “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 Harry T. Treworgy, 1949   World War II  Harry Treworgy joined the 9th Air Force after Pearl Harbor was attacked during his freshman year at the University of Maine. During boot camp he had a severe case of pneumonia that severely damaged lungs; therefore, he trained as a Morse code operator, and he followed the troops through France into Germany.
 Omega Mu Years             John Ballou  
 “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 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 Fredrick J. Shepard, III, 1943  Omega Mu Years     1940 Snow Sculpture "The fraternity winner's impressively beautiful effort had the ubiquitous Maine Bear looking our over the campus from the top of a huge sphere of ice."      "The Maine bear perched on a ball of ice won Phi Gamma Delta permanent possession of the snow sculpting cup."
  Dudley Utterback, Phi Gamma Delta Brother 1941 Snow Sculpture "Phi Gam's snow sculpture last week was probably the most beautiful this university has ever seen."  "Dudley Utterback was chief designer."    University of Maine Athlete       World War II  Second Lieutenant Frederick J. Shepard, III was a United States Marine Corps fighter pilot, and he died on December 1st, 1942.         “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 we can all be proud of as Omega Mu Fijis. 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 we can all 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 John J. Atwood, Jr., 1962  Omega Mu Years     Omega Mu Housemother, Mrs. Tate  Football on the front lawn.  In the bathroom
 Fiji Island Party  "Games, stories, and presents made the evening fun for the children of all ages. Sally Kennett and Paul McCarron were in charge of the party"  Paul McCarron   1962 Snow Sculpture  
Doug Johns and Mary McHale Military Career   "When the call came for American ground forces, the Marines were ready. They were the first U.S. ground forces committed to South Vietnam."    Jack Atwood was a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps from 1962-1966, and he served in Vietnam from 1965-1966.                        
       
             “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 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 Athlete Eugene F. Sturgeon, 1952  Military Career  After graduating from Deering High School, Eugene Sturgeon enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the USS Philippine Sea and the USS Kearsarge. USS Philippine Sea   USS Kearsarge   Admiral Byrd's Fourth South Pole Expedition: Operation Highjump, 1947-1948   USS Philippine Sea going through the Panama Canal to take Admiral Richard Byrd to the South Pole.  Eugene F. Sturgeon on the USS Philippine Sea. Eugene F. Sturgeon was on the USS Philippine Sea when Admiral Byrd was being taken to the Arctic Circle in order for him to do his fourth expedition to the South Pole.  Admiral Byrd, center, on board the USS Philippine Sea.
            Omega Mu Years            University of Maine Athlete 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.             "Sturgeon was also named for the All-Yankee Conference squad."   “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 Games, Dances, and Formals 1891-1960 Happy New Year. The final page of our 148th fraternal year has turned, and the first day of our 149th year begins. 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 love. 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 our rich fraternal tradition of great dances and formals. Perge.  Q. T. V. Brothers in front of the first Q. T. V. Chapter Hall, 1876. 1891     "...buck-boards began to bring the guests from Orono, Stillwater and Old Town."  "Messrs. Wasgatt and Cushing of Bangor, furnished music for the evening. After the entertainment consisting of instrumental music, singing, and declamations, refreshments were served and the remainder of the evening was spent in sociability and dancing." 1897 
    1900  "Omega Mu Chapter of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity entertained their friends with whist and dancing at their chapter house Saturday evening. 
1902  "The house was decorated for the occasion and the guest were received in the drawing room, while refreshments were served in the dining room."  1903 
1905   1906   1912   "The house was prettily decorated in evergreens and Xmas bells intermingled with frosted stars. Pullen's orchestra furnished music during the evening. At intermission harlequin and cakes were served."  1915   "Amid the crackling of logs and peanut shells, stories were told and enthusiasm for the distant Frog Pond Scrap was aroused. About 12 P.M. the Smoker wound up with a sing, three cheers for 1915 and a return three cheers for Phi Gamma Delta re-echoed from the porch." 1916   "There were cigarettes and cigars for all, not to mention peanuts, ice cream and fancy crackers, and ginger ale. They made themselves merry with cards and songs and talked over the old days."
 1917   "The evening was spent with smokes, cards, and refreshments.
 1920     "There were smokes and ice cream and the first step taken in forming class spirit.  
 "One of the best house-parties ever held in the house will begin Friday night and terminate Sunday Night." 1921  "A "Backward Party" Saturday night in which the couples came in old clothes and had to climb through a window to get into the house. The girls had to ask the boys to dance, for refreshments, and for cigarettes." 1923    "Each house was suitably decorated for the occasion, many of them having informal dance orders, favors, and confetti dances."   "A delicious dinner was served by the fraternity chef. The tables were attractively decorated with flowers. The dancing of the evening stated at 8:30 when music from a selected orchestra was furnished. The dance orders of dark blue and white were in the shape of a lozenge." 
1926   This informal dance, I believe, was the first dance in the Castle.  "Snappy music was furnished by Shea's four piece orchestra."   1930    "The 'Crimson Rambler' orchestra, one of the best heard on campus in a long time, came from Boston." 1931  "The house was decorated with colored lights. During intermission refreshments were served. Music was furnished by Smith Ames orchestra." 
1933  "Later in the evening, the formal dance, with music by Buddy Borst and his orchestra from Providence, was held. Strawberry shortcake was served at intermission."  1935  
 "The meeting was an informal get-together to promote good fellowship and class feeling."      "On Friday, the Phi Gamma Delta were hosts at a delightful dinner party prior to their annual Spring Formal. Their guest were entertained by the singing of fraternity songs."    1936    "A homecoming informal dance was held at Phi Gamma Delta. Music was provided by Lou Kyer."
  "The Phi Gams crashed through with a hilariously different party last Friday evening. The lady guests were forced to enter this upside down party by the coal chute. From the cellar floor a guide rope was placed in the right hand and they were pushed through the cellar of horror."  1937   "Phi Gamma Delta welcomed back many alumni at its fall house party held Saturday afternoon and evening. After the game, tea dancing was enjoyed until six o'clock, when an informal supper was served. Lloyd Rafnell and his Georgians, featuring Jane Rafnell, vocalist, furnished music"  George Rafnell and his Georgians    Watie Akin's orchestra 1938     1939   "Phi Gamma Delta held it spring formal house party May 19. Lloyd Rafnell and his Georgians played."  1940    1943   "Interfraternity smoker to be held from four until eight at the Phi Gamma Delta House."   1947  
   
 "After light refreshments several of the professors spoke on subjects on general and practical interest around college, and the talk lasted well into the evening." 1948   "Phi Gamma Delta will dance to the music Lloyd Raffnell and his orchestra at their Friday night formal." 1948  "Phi Gam played host to 70 couples at a semi-formal dance Friday evening. Music was by Bob Wood and his orchestra." 1949   "The house was appropriately decorated and a section of the Maine Bears furnished dance music." 1951  "A buffet supper followed by a dance with music provided by Sammy Saliba and his orchestra."
1952     1953 
 1954   "Party favors: red and white striped nights shirts and caps with "Fiji" on the pockets. 1955   "Dick Kelso and his band provided the music for a jam-session and dance at Phi Gamma Delta."   1956   "Phi Gam played host to Pi Beta Phi sorority, with "A Trip to the Moon" as the theme of the dance. Silver stars and moon maidens decorated the house and Jack McDonough and his orchestra provided the music."  
 
"The Phi Gam house was decorated on a French Cafe theme for the formal Friday night." 1957 
1958  1958 house party with a Christmas theme.   “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 |
Archives
March 2023
Categories |
RSS Feed