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Return to the Rock
Part 1 (2009)
After Bill Young and Jerry Williams rode to an ECU football game on their Harley-Davidson Motorcycles in September, Williams decided it was time for a return trip to The Rock. He also learned that Young never made the famous trek to Lexington, VA, to visit Sigma Nu Headquarters as a pledge, so they agreed to make that run in October or November of 2009. Several dates did not work but they finally agreed on October 22-24th and Brother Jim Stout advised that it should be the peak of the fall color season in Lexington. Dickie and Louise Tayloe also agreed to meet with them during their visit to that area.
Williams pulled out of Raleigh in 40 degree weather and Young left Charlotte with the old thermometer hanging on to 41 degrees and both arrived at Greensboro Harley-Davidson, located on I-40, as the temperature as beginning to rise. Next, they headed out on Highway 29 for their Virginia trip. After a brief stop in Danville for lunch they cruised along Highway 29 and connected to Virginia State Road 130 for a detour to visit The Natural Bridge. That highway quickly turned into a mini version of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Dragon Tail. It was a satisfying experience. See the Natural Bridge Photos:
An hour later they climbed back on their Harley’s and headed out Highway 11 to Lexington, where they had reservations for two nights at the Historic Hampton Inn, Col Alto, located across East Nelson Street from the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation Building and the 13 acre Sigma Nu Headquarters site. They arrived around 4:30 that afternoon, quickly checked in, unloaded their bikes and headed over to 9 Lewis Street for a short visit to Sigma Nu Headquarters. Their fear was the office would be closed since it was after 5 PM when they knocked, but the door was not locked and they walked though the entrance.
Upon entering they were met by a young woman named Kirkland, who appeared more than happy to give them some time to look around and get oriented with the facility. She gave the two bikers an enthusiastic welcome and short tour. Then she pointed out that Todd Denson, Director of Alumni & Volunteer Programs would be happy to give them an extended tour the following morning, when Brother Jim Stout was to join them. See the second block of photos featuring their initial stop at Sigma Nu HQ:
Brother Stout phoned during the early evening and advised that he would join Brothers Young and Williams the next morning between 10 and 10:30 AM. So they strolled out for dinner at a near-by restaurant so they could retire at a reasonable hour.
Next morning after a very satisfying breakfast at the Hampton Inn, Brother Stout joined them for the short trek over to Sigma Nu Headquarters, where they were met by Brother Denson, who then exercised his special “Sigma Nu Hospitality” and gave them an extensive tour with plenty of time to take a lot of photos.
The tour began outside by The Rock and the White Rose Bush. Then they toured a section of the grounds they had not seen before, established to honor those Sigma Nu Brothers who have served their country, many of whom ended up making the ultimate sacrifice. Those Brothers are memorialized by a special brick with their name, rank, branch of service as well as their chapter and badge number.
Brothers Stout, Young and Williams were moved and appreciative to see their three Eta Beta Brothers killed in Vietnam had been memorialized in that area. That segment of their tour alone was worth the visit. Bricks were on display for:
1. Lt. Glenn C. Dyer, HB 3, was an Air Force pilot and our chapter's first Vietnam casualty. Glenn was killed in action on October 26, 1964, exactly 45 years (to the day) before this notation was originally posted on October 26, 2009.
2. Lt. Dempsey H. Williams, HB 24, was one of the first Marines killed in action in Vietnam. Dempsey died on March 9, 1965. Coincidentally, that happened on the 23rd birthday of Brother T. Jerry Williams, HB 67.
3. Capt. C. D. “Bull” Rogers, HB 20, was our third Vietnam casualty. Bull served in the Army and was killed in action on March 11, 1969.
A number of Eta Beta's served in Vietnam and some of those were wounded. However, these three made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and we share that loss with their families. Reportedly, Dick Fletcher said that Eta Beta had more Brothers in Vietnam at one time than any other Sigma Nu chapter. See the third block of photos below:
The First Charter Brothers then got to see the Ethical Leadership Center of the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation. It’s an historical property on the Headquarters site, donated and dedicated in 1990. The Education Foundation board meets there. Behind that facility, on Sigma Nu property is a house that is set up to sleep up to 40 men and the rate for a night’s lodging there is only $10 per person.
Brother Todd Denson then walked the ECU alumni through the Memorial Rose Arbor, where Brother Young got a close view of a White Rose, as you will see in the trip photos. They also learned that individual Brothers can have their own personalized brick added to the Arbor area and they were able to locate two Eta Beta bricks. R. L. “Roddy” Jones and J. G. “Johnny” Jones have personalized bricks there. Brothers who purchase a brick for $200 will benefit the Educational Foundation. In fact, First Charter Snake Reunion may want to consider having a memorial tree planted on the grounds. That can be done for a gift of $2,500, in memory of all of our departed Brothers. A plaque will then be placed under the tree. See the fourth block of Photos:
Note: More pages of this "Return to the Rock" can be found by holding your cursor over the first page and finding the sub-page links. There will ultimately be five of those sub-pages. Also, you can click the large center arrow below the first photo in an album block to start a a slide show of all photos in that block or you can click on a photo in the block and it replaces the top photo on display. To stop the slide show just click the centerpiece below the photo being highlighted. Snakes may also save and print their own copies of all of these photos.
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