  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 Gordon R. Heath, 1935  Omega Mu Years                1935 Snow Sculpture     "Second place to Phi Gamma Delta for their All American Girl." 1936 Snow Sculpture   "Phi Gamma Delta, with a most remarkably executed tableau of set of three figures on a raised dais, was adjudged the winner. A purple background sprinkled with stars was flanked on one side by a woman figure skate; on the other, by a dancing couple. A giant star with a the beautiful figure of a girl in front of it was placed in the center....The artists responsible for this fine piece of artistry were: Gordon Heath, James Dow, Robert Baker, and George Grange, although the entire fraternity did its part."    "The artist responsible for this fine piece of artistry were: Gordon Heath, James Dow, Robert Baker, and George Grange."
James Dow and George Grange University of Maine Athlete              Harvard University  After graduating from the University of Maine, Gordon R. Heath attended Harvard University, and when World War II started he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.   Gordon R. Heath was a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, and he served in the Pacific Theater of Operations. N.A.S.A.   After he service in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, Gordon R. Heath worked as a remote-sensing engineer for N.A.S.A., with the task of developing state-of-the-art satellites, using cutting-edge technology, to take reliable photos that accurately measure the size, shape and position of objects on earth. His analytical skill in the area of photogrammetry was exceedingly helpful to the C.I.A. agents and Pentagon specialists in identifying the position, placement, and number of Soviet nuclear warheads in Cuba in October 1962. These critical photos, and the important analysis of them, provided President Kennedy with crucial evidence as he considered potential action, diplomatic and military, in response to this grave threat to the United States, against Cuba and the Soviet Union. For the considerable assistance that Gordon R. Heath provided in this critical time, in having been a key engineer in developing photogrammetry at the Johnson Space Center, Gordon R. Heath received a Presidential Citation from President John F. Kennedy for his distinguished service in helping avert a possible nuclear war during the thirteen heart-stopping days of the Cuban Missile Crisis. In the end, Gordon R. Heath's contributions to N.A.S.A. and the United States were significant and lasting.   The U-2 plane that flew over western Cuba and discovered the missile sites near San Cristobal, precipitating the 13 day crisis that would show the wisdom, restraint, and calm, cagy intellect of President Kennedy in opting for a blockade rather than a surgical airstrike against the sites, proving to be the right leader at the right time in American History.        Adlai Stevenson, the U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations, confronts the Soviet Ambassador with the visual evidence provided by photogrammetry of Soviet nuclear weapons in Cuba. Erst 1   Additionally, the litany of Gordon R. Heath's beneficial work continued when he spearheaded a N.A.S.A. research team of to see if the Erts 1 satellite imagery would be helpful in the study of forestry, and the water pollution in Galveston Bay, Texas. The complete body of his career work is esteemed. American Society Of Photogrammetry    "Engineering Reports Editor: Gordon R. Heath"  Pig Dinner   Toward the Castle we ride  "Going, Going, Going.....to the Castle:       "Fondest Memory Was Fraternity Life" Gordon R. Heath Gordon Heath wrote this on a University of Maine alumni update form.   “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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Omega Mu Voice Donald E. MacLauchlan, 1961  Omega Mu Years     "Pat's brings back so many memories - both in situ and at Pat's and ex situ. Here is a early 60's memory. When I moved into the castle in the fall of '58 and claimed my space in the flag room, we had a large coal black standard poodle named Saturn. Saturn had a strange M.O.. With non-Fiji people he would appear friendly, but when they turned around he had the habit of biting them in the ass. However, with Pat's house deliveries, he knew the guy was a friend and not a foe.  Saturn Bathing Saturn on Monday night in Ma Tate's bathtub was a Zobe duty, but if Ma Tate found evidentiary black hair in the tub when she returned on Tuesday we had a Zobe line-up in the upstairs hall. So many memories."  Omega Mu Housemother, Mrs. Tate “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. Their positive impact on the University of Maine community cannot be overstated. 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. Our scorecard is deep, and we appreciate, and we are proud of, all of our Omega Mu athlete brothers. 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. Omega Mu Athlete Eben R. Haggett, 1889  Q. T. V. Years   The second Q. T. V. Chapter Hall is in the middle.  The second Q. T. V. Chapter Hall, left, after it was moved across the street in order for Coburn Hall to be built. On the right is Holmes Hall.   Brother Walter Balentine's (1874) office in Holmes Hall. Note his senior year picture above the fire place, and then above a bookcase.   Brother James M. Bartlett, 1880, working in the lab in Holmes Hall.  The second Q. T. V. Chapter Hall is the second building in from the right.  A great picture of the University of Maine campus with the Q. T. V. Hall behind Coburn Hall.     "The hall of the Q. T. V. Fraternity was thrown open to visitors and was well inspected." 15th Q. T. V. Reunion     "The meeting was largely attended, for many of their alumni had returned to participate in this pleasant event. The festivities did not end until a late hour and all voted it a most pleasant reunion."      "To be Corporals, E. R. Haggett"   The library in Coburn Hall  "The Reading Room Association..... Ex. Com.....E. R. Haggett, '89"   Commencement Speeches   "Money in Society in the United States, Eben Raymond Haggett, Newcastle"      University of Maine Athlete       "Haggett, lf"      Fiftieth Reunion  "Eben Haggett, honorary marshal for the day."  “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 Omega Mu Voice Charles E. Chapman, 1982   The Tao of Fly-Fishing Winslow Homer would Have chosen Popeye To be his model For his Adirondack Paintings   Because Popeye's Rustic, flesh- Clinging to Bone passion To cast Wide and drop Deep into The watery Skin of any Lake, stream, River, or Pond, as       Well as the Uniting flesh And bone of Our Omega Mu Brotherhood. Because  Popeye Believes that To live Is to live fully In the present, In the moment, Each day and Always, With fearless Joy, day And night, Suturing Joyous whimsy Into the heart Of our brotherhood         That never Slackens Because he is A Seeker of all Joyous paths, Such as sitting, Monastically quiet, Calm and Composed, In his Fly- Tying Scriptorium room That he shared With Shab and Phil, consulting Dave Whitlock In how to  
   Properly tie a Popham Fly, Salmon Fly, or Stonefly, with Sunlight quietly Playing upon the Rhythmic, circular Motions of his Hands of thread And feather in Measureless joy, his Autumn sun- Streaked face Etched with Evident joy and Ease and Wonder and Imagination in Thinking about Thrusting deep Into the Architectural World of nature Again, his Well-loved Pilgrimage. to Follow a winding Well-worn trail Through thicket, Bramble and thorn, Lush undergrowth, Shadow, scrub, Meadow, marsh, Mossy stones to Trout streams and Rivers.      With many pauses To consider wind Light, current, And depth, Enjoying the Redemptive Beauty of It all, each And every Natural variable Causing a broadening Smile on his Face in Analyzing each Subtle variable, And, then, Thoughtfully, With perfect Timing, casting His line, with His new Knitted fly, With singular Style and Solemn expectation, Bowing to the Grace - the Grace of natural law: Glad simply to be By the water,  Still, silent, With his Beautiful heart Open, always, To the unitary Intimacy of Nature, as Popeye, Exhaling, tugged, Turned, and Tightened, in Consecrating good Faith, the Final knot on The new fly And sighed Deeply, at peace, Satisfied, content, And softly   Closed his Dave Whitlock Fly-Fishing book, And glanced Outside at the Fall foliage, Smiling at The thought of How wonderfully Cold the RAM was going To be tonight, Just as the   Last rush of Omega Mu Brothers Entered the Castle for Friday dinner, Which caused a Savoring smile at The thought of J.T.’s hot bread, Spaghetti and meatballs.    And that, perhaps, Is the interesting, Beautiful direction That love can take In the natural Human economy Of ones life, Whether it be Popeye’s grace- Filled love of Fly-fishing, And the Knitted, Strength of his Staunch, Untiring, Unconditional Love for his Omega Mu Brotherhood, Forever                   Guided by The two Knotting Virtues of Our brotherhood Through his Entire life: Persistence and Determination, A seamless Liturgy, Threaded in Popeye's Generous, large- Spirited heart In living Life Steadfastly, Devotedly, With resolute Beautiful Affection, Forged in The deep Current of His inexpressible Love for His Wife, His Omega Mu Brothers, His students, Creating A beautiful, Deep current of Cherished Memories and Musings, Joyful and Playful, That will Never be Forgotten For the Enduring Heart and Soul gift of Who Popeye Was for so Many because "Perfect knots Bind Without Rope and So Cannot Be Loosened."  "Perfect knots bind without rope and so cannot be loosened."  A beautiful life lived with affection: Popeye “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 Omega Mu Voice Charles E. Chapman, 1982  “Finest kind” We like to say In Maine, And that sums up Two colourful Legends who Enriched our Omega Mu life: Shab and Phil
Who have created A ribald blossoming Of energy and Good Humor That Continues to Flow through Them with Propulsive Force since Their first Eyelids-blinking- Instant rapport Meeting in the Castle that has Endured through Years: a veritable Omega Mu Truth            Because of The flair of Their brain- Knitted chattering, Forever ebbing And flowing Through cigar Smoke and Clutched Cans of Bud, Without a Scintilla of False fraternal Chumminess, forever Bringing fraternal Life and colour To every fraternal Gathering as They forever Chop away, Without restraint, With Ockham’s Razor, Ways to simplify every Metaphysical and Epistemological Puzzle of life from Their divergent yet Convergent axial Will, inseparably Fused, for there is No existential Void or mystery of Being, or non- Being with Phil and Shab, They simply are, Expansive, Eternal as Law, Pure inter- Being at all times, An emotional thicket; A verbal love war; An emotional opera, An undivided primal Fraternal union. Who, with no Rehearsed words, Mutually quick Reflexive gazes And gesturing Beer-clutching Hands, engulfing Everyone in a Boundless Fraternal web of Fraternal joy; in Being Fraternally united, Fraternally purple Because of their Committed will to Always be themselves And to be the Best of friends, And to be Omega Mu Fiji Brothers, A fraternal, Timeless Grace, pure And simple, Sustained by The heart Through All of life: Shab and Phil  “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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