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Oliver Crosby, 1876

6/22/2022

0 Comments

 
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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
Oliver Crosby,
1876

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Oliver Crosby's Q.T.V. Brothers
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Francis H. Bacon and Edward M. Blanding
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Horace M. Estabrooke and Nelson Martin
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Charles E. Oak
Freshman Debating Society
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Great Northern Railway
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After several jobs, Oliver Crosby was hired by James J. Hill, one of the most powerful men during the Gilded Age in the United States, to be a draughtsman for the Great Northern Railway. 
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James J. Hill
​"The Empire Builder"

American Manufacturing Company
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After being fired by James J. Hill in 1882, Oliver Crosby and Frank Johnson established the Franklin Manufacturing Company in Saint Paul, Minnesota, but they renamed it the American Manufacturing Company, and once again the American Hoist and Derrick Company.
American Hoist and Derrick Company
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American Hoist and Derrick Company,
St. Paul, Minnesota
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1893 World's Fair in Chicago
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World's Fair in Chicago
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American Hoist and Derrick won the Gold Medal for three of their cranes 
at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago.
Stonebridge
Oliver Crosby's Estate

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​Inventor
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Oliver Crosby's was the president and chief engineer of American Hoist and Derrick Company, and he was a trailblazing leader in a time of many trailblazing industrial giants.  Oliver Crosby was a wide-eyed, tough-minded innovative industrial thinker. With sustained inspiration and dedication,  he came up with many original industrial ideas, and he designed and created many of these original industrial items. Consequently, driven by his engineering curiosity and his sharp mind, Oliver Crosby registered more than thirty patents for and his pioneering inventions that are still important today. 

Oliver Crosby was an industrial visionary, and what he created with that talent has enduring value. With clarity and purpose, skill and passion, Oliver Crosby worked by experience and observations, and that led to increased knowledge and practical wisdom as to what could be designed and created to benefit humanity. Beyond this, he never gave up on an intriguing idea; it was not in his nature. In short, he was self-assured. He understood the fixed principles of engineering, but he envisioned, expanded, and adapted them to meet new technological, industrial challenges. In short, he had a life-long  desire to learn new things, and he knew how to take on a new job and do it well. Or, one could say, Oliver Crosby was an imaginative engineer because he had great vision to create something better, and that always meant breaking out of comfortable, formulaic ruts of seeing things to address new challenges, new opportunities, and new projects. He relished the creative process; and, most importantly, the challenges in the creative process were merely opportunities, and he did not sway on these matters. He liked new challenges because it demanded new thinking, practically and aesthetically, grounded in the guiding principles of engineering. Step-by-step, everything Oliver Crosby accomplished was grounded in extensive study, problem-solving, reflection, and thought, and the congruence of this type of intellectual rigor, a great thing in itself, led to improved designs for every one of his inventions.

Many of his patented inventions, particularly his railway-mounted steam shovels and earth moving machines, would play a significant role in digging the Panama Canal. Therefore, in no small measure, in a time period that was dominated by the likes of Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, James J. Hill, and John D. Rockefeller, it is right to assert that  that Oliver Crosby's industrial ingenuity had an incalculable impact with his mechanical ingenuity. He was, in his own right, a powerhouse during an exceptional economic period in American History. He was resilient, and what he achieved was both practical and inspiring. What he accomplished was meaningful and significant, and it is not an overstatement to state that he helped transform the world. From the Crosby Clamp, the world's largest crane, Admiral Perry's journey to the North Pole, and the Panama Canal, Oliver Crosby's career was fascinating, interesting, and historically significant. He was a technological change-maker in history with his seminal engineering ideas. Quite simply, he lived and extraordinarily rich life, and to think that Oliver Crosby arrived in Minneapolis - St. Paul with only $14.50 speaks multiple volumes about the substantive, practical meaning of persistence and determination, two qualities that are never old-fashioned. They matter all the time. All-in-all, Oliver Crosby lived by the truth of these two instructive words, and he left a constructive legacy for posterity that we are exceedingly proud of as Omega Mu brothers, now, one-hundred years after his death in 1922.

Guided by the seamless trinity of confidence, patience, and persistence, Oliver Crosby became a change-maker in the world. We continue to believe in the balanced grace of these three words, and because of this sustaining belief Omega Mu Fijis will continue to have a positive impact in the world. Simply put, to live a life that benefits others does matter, still. Perge. 
​
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The Crosby Clamp
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It is interesting to note that the small size of the Crosby Clamp proved to be infinitely large in substantive achievement. In a word, sound engineering practices, large and small,
are essential in accomplishing anything that lasts. 
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 Admiral Robert E. Peary's Journey to the
​North Pole in 1909 and the
​Crosby Clip
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"The success and safety of the entire expedition hinged upon the reliability of the
'Crosby' Clip, used to attach the tiller rope to the rudder, and also the steering wheel."
​Admiral Robert E. Peary
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Largest Crane in the world,
​1895
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American Hoist and Derrick
​The Panama Canal
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"The Company's most notable service was furnishing the U.S. government with the modern machinery to construct the
​Panama Canal."
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Oliver Crosby's
​Panama Canal Lecture
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Mount Rushmore
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When we think about Oliver Crosby, it is also worth pausing to consider the creation of Mount Rushmore. 
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Four years after his death in 19922, Oliver Crosby's American Hoist and Derrick machinery were used to create
​Mount Rushmore.
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Crosby Hall
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Cloke Plaza; back right, Crosby Hall.
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The New University of Maine
​Engineering Building and
The Crosby Clamp

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In the foreground left is Cloke Plaza, a plaza that honors our Phi Gamma Delta brother,
​Paul Cloke, former dean of the University of Maine College of Engineering. 
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Cloke Plaza
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"When the final beam of the Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center was installed during the topping-off ceremony in February 2021,
​the Crosby Clip played at part."
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"The beam, which was signed by some current UMaine engineering students, has a time capsule welded to the back with a message and a Crosby Clip, a tool used in steel construction that was invented by Oliver Crosby, a Dexter native and
UMaine alumn of 1876."
​

And Our Omega Mu Brother,
​Oliver Crosby
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“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)
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Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82

Perge

0 Comments

Christopher Scarcella, 1987

6/21/2022

0 Comments

 
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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
Christopher Scarcella,
1987
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Omega Mu Years
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Chris Scarcella, top stair next the railing. To Chris's left is Jack Hodgkins. In front of Chris is Mike Klein. Back turned and looking back toward the camera is Brian Smith. Leaning against the wall and looking toward the camera is Roger Routh. 
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University of Maine Athlete
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University of Maine
​Wrestling
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“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)

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Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82

Perge

0 Comments

Jeffrey D. Hutchinson, 1990

6/20/2022

0 Comments

 
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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
Jeffery D. Hutchinson,
1990

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Omega Mu Years
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Sean McCarthy
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Pat, the cook
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Brothers in this picture: Dave Barron, Joe Leporati, Jon Smith, Todd Marshall, Andy Bradford,
 Pete Switzer, Steve Kyd
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Jeff Hutchinson and Jon Smith put the Pig Dinner pig head in Pat Sweeny's bed in the RAM.
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L-R: Mike Dever, Jeff Hutchinson, Jonathan Smith, and Roger Routh.
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L-R: Sean McCarthy, Mike Concannon, John Akoury, Jeff Hutchinson,
Jon Smith, Gary Bresnahan.
Military Career
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Soon after becoming a Naval Aviator, Jeffrey Hutchinson was assigned to the Carrier Air Wing Eight and completed deployments on USS. Theodore Roosevelt and USS Enterprise as the Staff Combat Search and Rescue Sea Combat Officer.
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USS. Theodore Roosevelt, above and below.
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USS. Enterprise, above and below.
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Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 15,
'The Red Lions'
Jeffrey Hutchinson was then assigned to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron as a department head flying Seahawk helicopters, with deployments on the USS George Washington. 
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Seahawk helicopter and the USS George Washington
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Jeffrey Hutchinson was selected for Aviation Command and served as the Executive Officer and then the Commanding Officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School, Atlantic Fleet, flying the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter​
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MH-60S Seahawk helicopter​​
Jeffrey Hutchinson was then assigned to USS Harry S Truman to serve as the ship’s Navigator. 
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USS Harry S Truman
Jeffrey Hutchinson was then assigned as the Officer in Charge at Isa Air Base, Bahrain.
​During this tour, he commanded a multi-service force that provided critical base operating support services for the deployed tenant commands in support of USCENTCOM Theater of Operations
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F-18's and A-6 Prowlers were stationed at Isa Air Base.
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Jeffrey Huctchinson is now serving as the Chief Staff Officer for Navy Region Singapore Area Coordinator in support of USPACOM Theater of Operations (map above).
His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal.
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“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)
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Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82

Perge

0 Comments

Steven M. Dunwoody, 1979

6/19/2022

0 Comments

 
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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
Steven M. Dunwoody,
1979
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Omega Mu Years
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Steve, top row, second brother in from the left.
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Steve, first on the left
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University of Maine Athlete
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University of Maine
​Swim Team
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Military Career
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Lieutenant Commander Steve was an F-14 Tomcat pilot, and he served on the
USS America and the USS Roosevelt in the Persian Gulf, the Mediterranean, and the
North Atlantic. He was one of the Navy pilots who crossed Muammar Gaddafi's
"Line of Death" during the Libyan conflict in 1986.
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USS America
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USS Roosevelt
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Mummar Gaddafi
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Steve Dunwoody
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Dana Wells and Steve Dunwoody
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L-R: Dave Rushton (blue and white striped tie), Joel Gardiner, Tom Hicks, Dave Smith, Charlie Foote (yellow tie), Steve Dunwoody, Ken Jagolta. 
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​John McCain and Steve Dunwoody
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Steven M. Dunwoody died on April 8th, 2021
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“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)

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Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82

Perge

0 Comments

Rick Blaisdell, 1988

6/18/2022

0 Comments

 
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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
Rick Blaisdell,
1988
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Omega Mu Years
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L-R: Jeff Farnsworth, Rick Blaisdell, and Mike Klein.
J.T.
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JT speaking at Pig Dinner
Mudbowl
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Maine Day
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Tattoo Pilgrimage to Buddy' in Newport,
​Rhode Island
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Snow Sculptures
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Working on the snow sculpture in 1988.
Fiji Island
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Military Career
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Rick Blaisdell was the Director of Civil Engineer Operations at
​R. A. F. Lakenheath, England.
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Rick Blaisdell was the Base Civil Engineer at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado.
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Rick Blaisdell was the Reconstruction Program Manager with the Army Corps of Engineers in Baghdad, Iraq.
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Rick Blaisdell is now a senior professional engineer working in the
United States Department of Energy.
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“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)
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Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82

Perge

0 Comments

Albert E. Mitchell, 1875

6/13/2022

0 Comments

 
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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
Albert E. Mitchell,
​1875

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Q. T. V. Years
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Career
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Albert Mitchell was vice president of Wyckoff and Pipe and Creosoting Company.​
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Albert E. Mitchell was one of the founders of the Passaic Collegiate School in New Jersey
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​“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)
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Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82
Perge!
0 Comments

Preston M. Hall, 1915

6/12/2022

0 Comments

 
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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
Preston M. Hall,
1915
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Omega Mu Years
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World War I
During World War I, Preston was an explosives chemist working for the United States government.
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Taylor-Hall Welding Company in Worcester, Massachusetts. 
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After World War I, Preston Hall established the Taylor- Hall Welding Company.
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Inventor
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With dedication, drive, and determination, Preston Hall had 23 patents for his various inventions.
Tire Chain Patents
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Welding Machine Electrode Patents
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Welding Machine Patent
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Welding Process Patents
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Pipe Patent
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Preston Hall invented a pipe with the pipe bowl made of compressed tobacco. He also held the patent on the compressing process, and the compresses tobacco was as solid as the usual the materials that are used to make pipe bowls. 
World War II
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During World War II, Preston Hall was chief of the Resistance Welding Section of the War Production Board, and he received several citations for his work for the United States Government. 
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“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)

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Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82

Perge

0 Comments

Paul Roy

6/11/2022

0 Comments

 
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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
Paul Roy
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Omega Mu Years
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1968 Omega Mu Pledge Class
L-R: ​Jim Hayes, Mike Sullivan, Paul Wood (ad Astra), John Zinno, Paul Roy, Buster Marzinzak, Jim Walsh, Bill "Swampy" Pond, Jim McLean, Dennis McKenna, Russ Ross, Pat Ladd, Ed Obara, John Halloran, Jim Brown (ad Astra)
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"Paul Roy was always a positive, friendly gentleman, a model of principle. He would always do the right thing, regardless of the consequences. He was a consummate gentleman. The last time I spoke with him he was teaching, coaching, and commanding a JROTC unit at Quantico High School on the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia. I cannot think of a better role model for young men and women." Jim McLean.

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Paul Roy at Quantico High School, Quantico Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia.
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1968 Mud Bowl
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University of Maine Athlete
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1968 Freshman Football
Military Career
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Beirut, Lebanon, 1983
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Marine Compound Bombing
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Captain Paul Roy's Courageous
​Leadership
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Captain Paul Roy, above and below
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Paul Roy speaking before a congressional committee on the 25th Anniversary of the
​Beirut Bombing.
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“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)

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Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82
Perge
 
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Stephen J. Hayward, 1973

6/10/2022

0 Comments

 
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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
Stephen J. Hayward,
1973
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Military Career
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Stephen Hayward served in the 101st Airborne in Vietnam
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Memory of Steve Hayward
Jim McLean, 1972

Steve never talked about Vietnam, what I learned about Steve's experiences came from John Rhodes. For I think three years running, John and Roger Watson would celebrate the Marine Corps' birthday at the Oronoka. Each of those years, they invited me to join them. That was the time of year that John would talk about his experiences in Vietnam, which he seldom did. John's normal way of dealing with some very difficult memories was to write them down, take what he had written behind the Castle and burn the paper. If I remember correctly, on occasion, Steve would do the same thing.

On one of these occasions at the Oronoka, John talked about the engagement where Steve was shot in the neck, as well as what he had done prior to that engagement, which was his last in Vietnam. I would like to share the moving story John shared with me about Steve and his resilience and courage.

Steve joined the army and went to Vietnam as a private. By the time  of the engagement, he had been promoted to captain, at age 19! By that time, Steve's heroism had already been rewarded with appointment to West Point. He was set to start upon conclusion of his combat tour.

Steve had been a forward observer, as had John Rhodes. He had the dangerous job of closely following VC and NVA units while avoiding detection. Due to the need for silence, his practical weapon was a knife, and according to John, he often had to use it. Based on his heroism, Steve advanced from private to captain within a year.

His last fight in Vietnam began with a helicopter assault. The helicopters were flying at low altitude under heavy fire. Steve was hit by a small arms projectile and literally shot out of the helicopter. He was fortunate enough to have his fall broken by trees in the dense jungle. He was in NVA controlled territory and forced to crawl, wounded, on his stomach for two days to avoid detection. He stumbled on an American platoon whose lieutenant had been killed after the two days, and he assumed command of the leaderless unit. They engaged the NVA, and Steve was shot in the neck, and a major artery was partially severed. It could have been either the jugular or the carotid, but he fortunate, again, that he was next to a medic. The medic sutured Steve's vascular and neck wounds under  fire.While being sutured, Steve was wounded for the third time, taking a round in the buttocks. Upon repair, Steve continued to command his troops until they were evacuated by helicopter. Steve was the last man into the helicopter. He was wounded again on entry. They thought he wouldn't make it and even called his Dad, Col. Hayward (the "Bear") over to Nam to see him. Needless to say, the big guy survived. Thank God the big boy made it, and we all got to know one of the great ones while at Omega Mu. His nickname was “Bimbo” the baby elephant! In fact, there is a Bimbo burger on the menu at Pat’s in honor of Steve. Steve received numerous citations including the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, and was he nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor.

John Rhodes, who read Steve's recommendation for the CMH and discussed the engagement with Steve, said that he was stunned by it, and that Steve's conduct was the most heroic he had seen or heard of during his own heroic career as a Marine.​
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Oronoka
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John Rhodes
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Steve Hayward receiving the Silver Star
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​Omega Mu Years
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"Three brothers in front: left to right are Paul Wood (no shirt), Stephen Hayward, Jim Hayes. 
Behind Stephen Hayward's right shoulder is Bob Meneally. In the middle, wearing glasses, looking at the camera in the white shirt is Fred Gallela, and behind him is Mike McInnis.  Behind McInnis's left shoulder is Ted Crowell. To the of Fred Gallela, wearing a V-neck sweater is Bob Van Dyke. To his left is John Duffy, who is looking to his right. To the left of John Duffy, hind in his pocket, is Jim McLean. Behind Jim, his left shoulder, is Bob Gandolfi. Third row, left side, wearing a light shirt and dark sunglasses looks like George Wiest. On the left edge of the photo, wearing a white belt, is Tom Richardson. Left rear, second from the back row, in white shirt with long blonde hair is Bob Duetsch. To his left is John Halloran, and behind Halloran could be Peter Stanwyck. On the right side of the photo, with the finger peace  symbol behind someone's head could be Jim Walsh. Behind his right shoulder, the brother with a great deal of hair, could be John Zinno."
 
(Jim McLean, '72 )
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"His nickname was “Bimbo” the baby elephant! In fact, there is a Bimbo burger on the menu at Pat’s in honor of Steve. Steve was my roommate my freshman year."  (Jim McLean, '72)
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Top, Jim McLean, first on the left, the freshmen class president;
​bottom, talking to a coed; right, senior portrait picture.
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Kneeling: Steve Hayward
Standing L-R: Richard Paganucci, Mike Soloby, Bill Soloby

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Steve Hayward and Jim McLean
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Mike Porter
Memories of Steve Hayward
In 1969, I transferred from the University of Dayton in Ohio to UMO after being recruited by Walt Abbott. When I traveled to Orono, in August, for the football meeting, I was with my parents who wanted to see the campus. While traveling with them to the football meeting, I was given a lecture by my father about driving too fast on 95. Then it happened, the engine in my MG threw a rod and had the car jump three lanes and almost kill us both. While sitting on the side of the road, my father could only think about the football meeting and that we were going to be late. Finally, a state trooper stopped to check on us and was immediately accosted by my father on how the trooper needed to drive us to the campus to catch the football meeting. Only in Maine would you see a trooper drive us from Bangor to Orono at 95 miles an hour to catch the meeting.

However, I was 10 minutes late. So, when I opened the gym door it squeaked and Walt turned and looked to see who was late for his meeting. The look was a hard stare as most of us can imagine, so I stood next to the door leaning against the wall of the gym. Within 5 minutes, the squeaky door opened again, and this time the Walt stare was a nasty look at the football candidate named Steve Hayward. So, the first person I met at Orono was the man himself where he stood next to me leaning against the gym wall. Since we both knew no one, we stuck together, including lockers next to one another. We managed to make room changes and Steve moved into my room during second semester. Steve was two years older than me since he made a detour through Vietnam. When he moved into the dorm, my parents came up for a weekend and they were impressed with how neat Steve had moved all his stuff in, sort of military like. Steve drove a red Austin Healy 3000 convertible! He also had the best stereo system in Orono which he liked to place them in the open window, on nice days, to share with the entire campus. Steve totaled the Austin Healy that spring while driving two girls from our dorm, one was Paula who later married Pag. 
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Richard Paganucci
Steve was the guy who said, on rush weekend, that we needed to stop by FIJI since he had some old high school friends. We had started at the other end of campus, so FIJI was the last house to visit, and we dragged along Bobby Hayes. We were very impressed, and I believe Jim Mclean encouraged us to come back when we were able to talk better and stand. The second weekend, once school started, Steve suggested that we go to Bangor since these two guys, twins, had a place in Bangor and were throwing a party. When we arrived, I got to meet the Soloby twins for the first time, and while they were all bragging about their high school feats at Okinawa High, they mentioned their quarterback, Larry Harris. I said wait a minute, I know a Larry Harris who was a military brat like the Soloby’s and Hayward, and Bill Soloby said bullshit. I said that the Larry I knew at Dayton was Black!! It was the same Larry who was my best friend at Dayton, and now I meet Hayward, and the Soloby’s, who played at Okinawa High, together. Impossible shit!! But just like Larry, the Soloby twins, and Steve ended up being a big part of my life.
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One off season Steve and I had a contest on who could put on the most weight, I am talking around 30 Lbs. This is where Steve got the name Bimbo the baby elephant, and most of the weight was gained at Pat’s where we both worked in the Den for Tyler Libby and his gang of FIJI thieves. Every night Steve would order special a cheese burger with lettuce and tomato and lots of mayo. The name was given in honor of Steve and it was called the Bimbo burger as we know it today. My last time at Pat’s the Bimbo burger was proudly still on the menu.
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Steve was not a linebacker, he was a fullback. Steve played freshmen and thought about continuing his second year until we spent the summer at Falmouth down on the cape with a bunch of FIJI misfits! Steve opted to extend the summer verse hanging out with Walt in the middle of August at Orono.
Steve was not a linebacker, he was a fullback. Steve played freshmen football and thought about continuing his second year until we spent the summer at Falmouth, down on the cape with a bunch of FIJI misfits! Steve opted to extend the summer rather than hang out with Walt, in the middle of August, at Orono.
Steve became a Maine State Trooper and on his way to becoming the personal body guard for the Governor of Maine. He was living in Falmouth, Maine with Peter Stanwick and other FIJIs when we all were going to drive up for Pig Dinner. This was two years out of college for me, so I drove up early on a Friday night so we could all head up to Orono once everyone got out of work. While killing time, Stanwick talked me into going to a bar since his girlfriend was a teacher and all her worker friends were hitting the bar. This is where I met my wife of 46 year. Again, all great things in my life have Hayward’s fingerprints all over it.

But while I was courting my future wife, I spend each weekend in Portland where Steve and I played touch football for a team called Hanks Cookies, he was a Phi Mu who owned a bakers. It was during this time that he was offered the opportunity to join the Treasury Department. Many years later Steve, called me since he was working a case in Massachusetts while being a treasury agent. My wife and I met Steve who was working a big case that was going to trial in New Bedford, Mass. Steve followed the money in the investigation of drug deals coming from South America. He showed us photo’s of barrels being x-rayed where it showed cash inside the barrels. Somewhere along the way, Steve learned Spanish and traveled to Columbia to work undercover. Eventually, he was hired as a contractor and was living in Columbia much of the time. This is where he had his stroke that was not treated properly and caused his being paralyzed from the neck down.


I visited Steve at the veterans hospital right after he returned to the U.S.A. He was unable to speak or move anything; it was a tragedy! Years later, both Zinno and I visited Steve. at his home in York, where he lived with his wife, Terry. Steve had made huge progress on speaking and even starting to stand. My biggest regret was not staying in touch more after that visit.
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John Zinno
He only had a few stories to share about Vietnam. One that I will always remember was after he was shot in the throat he was given the last rights, and his father Brig. Gen. Hayward was notified that his son was killed in action. He prayed this was not the case and understood that it could be a mistake, so he waited several days to get it confirmed and told no one. Thank the lord the big guy did make it through and blessed us all with his presence at UMO, and a special person in all our lives. Love you, Stevie
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​“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)
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Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82
​Perge

0 Comments

Spanish-American War Veteran Brothers

6/7/2022

0 Comments

 
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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 Brothers:
Spanish-American War
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Mark L. Hersey
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​​Mark L. Hersey fought in the Spanish-American War, and he saw action in Santiago, Cuba.

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Charles C. Scott
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Charles C. Scott, 1899, served in the 1st Maine Volunteer Infantry during 
the Spanish-American War, and he died. 
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1st Maine Volunteers
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Edmund Clark
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​Edmund Clark, 1891, served in the United States Signal Corps during
the Spanish-American War.
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Charles S. Bartlett
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​​Charles S. Bartlett, 1897, served in the 1st Maine Infantry during
​the Spanish-American War.
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1st Maine Volunteers
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George W. Hutchinson
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George Hutchinson, 1893, was a sergeant in 10th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment during the Spanish-American War.
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​​“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)
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Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82
​Perge

0 Comments
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