  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. Omege Mu Veteran Frederick M. Cogswell, Jr 1940
Omega Mu Years  
 Initiation Dinner   
   Nice drawing pointing to Fred Cogswell, Jr..  "Phi Gamma Delta fraternity of the U. M. gave a benefit party for the needy children of Orono Tuesday evening at the fraternity house. The Christmas tree yielded clothing, toys, and candy for the little guests, who greatly enjoyed the festivities." 1939 Snow Sculpture   "Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, with a statue carved out of ice of a carnival queen standing beside her throne, won first place."  "The background was made of ice squares with a diamond -shaped piece in the middle."  1940 Snow Sculpture          John D. Utterback
World War  8th Air Force
   Sergeant Frederick M. Cogswell, Jr. served in the 8th Air Force in the 751st Bombardment Squadron, 457th Bombardment Group during World War II in the African, Middle Eastern, and European field of operations. 
 Frederick M. Cogswell, Jr., served as a ball turret gunner, a tail gunner, and a top gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress, and he was killed in action on September 28th, 1944 over Magdeburg, Germany. B-17 Flying Fortress    Frederick M. Cogswell, Jr. was a top gunner    Frederick M. Cogswell, Jr. was a tail gunner   Frederick M. Cogswell, Jr. was a ball turret gunner   Gini  Frederick M. Cogswell, Jr. was the ball turret gunner in the Gini during a bombing run over Magdeburg, Germany, on September 28th, 1944, and he was killed by enemy fire.    Magdeburg, below, after the bombing runs.
Sergeant Cogswell received the Air Medal.  "For meritorious achievement while participating in sustained bomber combat over Germany and German occupied countries."            “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge
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Our Omega Mu 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 Stewart W. Grimmer, 1940
Omega Mu Years 
 Initiation Dinner    1939 Snow Sculpture  "Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, with a statue carved out of ice of a carnival queen standing beside her throne, won first place."  "The background was made of ice squares with a diamond -shaped piece in the middle."  1940 Snow Sculpture   
 "Dudley Utterback, designer and chief engineer of the winning Snow Sculpturing contest held at the University of Maine."  Dudley Utterback    
   World War II  First Lieutenant Stewart W. Grimmer, was in the 18th Infantry Regiment, First Infantry Division, "The Big Red One", and he was in the initial North African invasion, 1942. The Big Red One
The 18th Infantry Regiment was part of the 1st Infantry Division, "The Big Red One"        The Battle of El Guettar, The First American victory over German forces  "It was the first battle in which U.S. forces were able to defeat the experienced German tank units..."     General Patton during the Battle of El Guettar, above and below.       Position of the 18th Infantry during the Battle of E. Guettar.    "Lieutenant Stewart W. Grimmer was killed in action near El Guettar, North Africa, while advancing with his battalion of the famous First U. S. Infantry Division"          “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Truthfully, there is no fraternal brotherhood quite like Omega Mu at the University of Maine. We are proud of our history, and we are proud of the impressive number of fraternal brothers who played on many University of Maine athletic teams. With conviction and commitment, our Omega Mu athlete brothers brought a great deal of joy and satisfaction to the university community, creating many wonderful memories since the first baseball team was established at Maine State College in the 1870's. The worked together for the success of each Maine team, and the overall civic good of the University of Maine. The sheer number of Omega Mu athlete brothers is an unqualified triumph for the University of Maine. They each gave their best efforts on each team, and what they achieved perfectly compliments what we fraternally believe: drive and determination. It is a heady athletic legacy. Accordingly, their accomplishments claim our fraternal attention and respect. For the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are proud. Therefore, in the linked soul and spirit of our long fraternal history, we gratefully remember and celebrate our QTV and Omega Mu brothers who participated on many varsity athletic teams at the University of Maine. Their sacrifice of time was worth the effort for them and the student body at the University of Maine who watched them play. They created many warm memories since the early 1870’s. For the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are all very proud. Thoreau said it best: “What a difference, whether in all your walks, you meet only strangers, or in one house is one who knows you, and whom you know. To have a brother…How rare these things are.” How true that is, and we remain that way to this day. That is a proud fraternal legacy. Omega Mu Athlete John W. Moran, 1930  Omega Mu Years       University of Maine Athlete                      "And the plucky running of Jackie Moran will long be remembered by any Maine man fortunate enough to witness the game."    "Bounding Bobby Scott And Jack Moran Grab Spotlight."  "But is was Moran, on a deceptive pass behind the line, that galloped through the right side of the Colby forward wall for the important yards for Maine."  "Moran Off For 17 Yards Against Colby"     "Jack Moran and his shifty, deceptive dashes piled up the Maine yardage."   “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Truthfully, there is no fraternal brotherhood quite like Omega Mu at the University of Maine. We are proud of our history, and we are proud of the impressive number of fraternal brothers who played on many University of Maine athletic teams. With conviction and commitment, our Omega Mu athlete brothers brought a great deal of joy and satisfaction to the university community, creating many wonderful memories since the first baseball team was established at Maine State College in the 1870's. The worked together for the success of each Maine team, and the overall civic good of the University of Maine. The sheer number of Omega Mu athlete brothers is an unqualified triumph for the University of Maine. They each gave their best efforts on each team, and what they achieved perfectly compliments what we fraternally believe: drive and determination. It is a heady athletic legacy. Accordingly, their accomplishments claim our fraternal attention and respect. For the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are proud. Therefore, in the linked soul and spirit of our long fraternal history, we gratefully remember and celebrate our QTV and Omega Mu brothers who participated on many varsity athletic teams at the University of Maine. Their sacrifice of time was worth the effort for them and the student body at the University of Maine who watched them play. They created many warm memories since the early 1870’s. For the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are all very proud. Thoreau said it best: “What a difference, whether in all your walks, you meet only strangers, or in one house is one who knows you, and whom you know. To have a brother…How rare these things are.” How true that is, and we remain that way to this day. That is a proud fraternal legacy. Omega Mu Athlete Vernon L. Moulton, 1958
Omega Mu Years 
Mrs. Tate Omega Mu Housemother           Fiji Island Party    University of Maine Athlete           
  
   “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Our fraternal brotherhood was in the past, and it remains today, the proudest fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine. Since 1874 we have forged a strong identity and purpose. We proudly remember our fraternal past because we are a historic fraternal brotherhood in so many ways, and we are all keenly aware of that fact, proudly so. We are, rightly so, proud of our long-rooted fraternal history at the University of Maine. 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. And as such, it is meaningful commitment that we all share to return to Castle to joyfully celebrate Pig Dinner. Matter-of-factly, our sustained history is a wonderful testament to each and every brother and our collective perseverance and determination over 123 years, and in two years we will celebrate our 125 anniversary, as well the 100th anniversary of the Castle. It is impossible not to get nostalgic when you set foot inside the Castle again because we are the historically unique fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine. Quite simply, we have a winning fraternal history. What lessons can we draw from our fraternal history? Simple, past and present, and for all the years to come, we will always be the preeminent fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine.  The fraternal evidence of our enjoyable history is overwhelming for all of us. It is always wonderful to return to reminisce and enjoy brotherly fellowship and the common bond of the years since our undergraduate years. We had a very happy life living in the Castle, to say the least. 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 Castle. Our Omega Mu brotherhood and the Castle, our historically durable union through life, and that cannot be measured. It is a never-ending gift. That is a self-evident truth, a fraternal beatitude, that started with our Q.T.V. catchphrase: “Enjoyment, sociability, and the best interests of the brothers through life.”    Our Q. T. V. - Omega Mu fraternal brotherhood has always coalesced and evolved around many wonderful traditions. These Omega Mu traditions, in various modified forms, have defined our fraternal culture since our Q.T.V. founding in 1874. They have given us meaning and shape for over one-hundred years. At a minimum, these traditions were popular and fun, and at a maximum they created, and continue to create, our historic continuity that is 148 years strong. They helped create our active and eventful fraternal life on a daily and seasonal basis. Some rites, traditions, and events were formal, while some were more playful and casual. Combined, they each comprise the rich heritage of our fraternal history, and they clearly show the ongoing vibrancy and energy of our Omega Mu brotherhood, still. And, perhaps, it is not too far-reaching to say that the traditions, rites, and events did shape us for the better; I believe they did. Our good fraternal life would simply not have been what it was without them, and there is no way of overstating that reality. And so, there is perhaps no more generationally compelling tradition than our most celebratory, warm-hearted tradition that overflows with reverent generational regard and celebratory joy than our Omega Mu Pig Dinner. One could even say that it is our primary fraternal sacrament-tradition that brothers always look forward to, abidingly so. After such a prolonged period, I hope that all of you, like I, look forward to, with grateful enthusiasm, the warm-hearted fraternal tradition, fraternal hospitality, and raucous fraternal fun of Pig Dinner, again, on April 30th. Looked at through the lens of the historic continuity of our fraternal of banquets, reunions, and Pig Dinner, I believe that we will find satisfaction in our return to the Castle to recommence the enduring fun, beauty, strength and fraternal, human grace of Pig Dinner. We will find real satisfaction in our return to the Castle for Pig Dinner. We cherish our history, our land, the Castle, and our historic brotherhood. You get the picture, come home for Pig Dinner. It is the unique fraternal tradition that beautifully encapsulates our Phi Gamma Delta life throughout life. But most of all, we will be simply happy to be back inside the unmistakable grace and charm of Castle with generations of Omega Mu brothers, again! It will be nice to celebrate Pig Dinner once again. And, when all is said and done, that is what really matters. Perge.  Q. T. V. Banquets         Omega Mu Brothers at Our Initial Fraternal Banquet      Horace M. Estabrooke, 1876
Fred C. Mitchell, 1900; and Frank McDonald, 1900
Perley F. Walker, 1896; and Walter Flint, 1882  Howard L. Maddocks, 1900  Horace M. Estabrooke, 1876
Albert H. Brown, 1880, Harvey D. Whitney, 1903
Wilbur A. Bumps, 1875; Herbert T. Sewall, 1902   Toastmaster, Allan Rogers, 1897
John H. Hilliard, 1903; Horace M. Estabrooke, 1876  Perley F. Walker, 1896 Pig Dinner 
  ..."Fijis know him best for the taste of pork at Norris Pig Dinners."  Bringing in the Pig    Kissing the Pig    Clifton E. Chandler, 1913  Theodore T. Curtis, 1923    Frank W. Danforth, Jr., 1946  David L. Smith, 1961  “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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