Happy Anniversary!
 

Twenty-eight years ago today, this writer, with nine other young men, "crossed the burning sands" of Omega Psi Phi. It was (and has been) a life-changing journey which I thank God for allowing me to experience. Oh, the stories I could tell...

Stop teasing and tell them! :)

I don't think an Alpha could handle them!:)

Why do I love Omega? Today, on my 28th anniversary, my present grad chapter had an open house for interested men to gain some information about the Fraternity. It was not a "smoker" or "interest meeting"; it was informal in tone.

It was a low-key affair where we prayed, showed Omega videos, listened to Que songs on a CD,talked a bit about the chapter, introduced ourselves and had the men introduce themselves, entertained questions, had some food and drink and then socialized afterwards.

Around this time, one of our older Brothers--Z-Squad '63 (Zeta Chapter, Virginia Union)--who's a very successful local businessman, Marine VietNam vet and Omega legacy himself came and took control of the meeting, playing the role of old school DP/host/father grilled the men with questions about Omega and gave an impassioned account of his personal and family history in Omega (3 generations), even remarking how he was made by Rev. Jeremiah Wright, a Z-Squad Que.

He provoked a sense of fear/awe/respect/warmth and love, the emotions I experienced 28-years-ago when I pledged, and when I was finally initated this night those many years ago. One interested man, who was very nervous when he stood up to introduce himself and stumbled all over his words, beamed as noted how down to earth and open the Brothers were and how some of his pre-conceived notions were dispelled.

I could see myself in this man as I reminsced about an innocent 20-year-old who knew little or nothing about BGLOs and had only heard negative things about Omega. After I attended a Kappa and a Sigma smoker, I saw there was a difference. Omega has a special and uniQue gravitas, just like I experienced today. God bless the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity!!!!

Congrats. We share the same anniversary date.

Congratulations to you, Ladygreek! May God grant you many more years in DST!

youngin #1


youngin #2

:p

Happy Anniversaries to you both!

As usual, late to the party, but let me offer my congrats nonetheless.

That was a great story

I too was in awe of the Omega Men I met as an interested youth. The capacity to seem above average and larger than life, but at the same time outgoing and approachable was what set my mind on Omega.

BTW, I wouldn't be caught dead in a SIGMA SMOKER, haha (just jokes)

Thanks, Team! Another story about the Ques and the Sigmas. When I was in a graduate chapter in California in the '90s, a Brother related how his son, when he was in college, would talk to him about Phi Beta Sigma. (His college roomate and circle of friends were Sigmas. He was scared to pledge Omega, even though he respected Omega highly because of the nurture in his home.)

His father was irked to no end. So, during one Christmas break he sat his son down and had a man-to-man talk with him. He told his son in no uncertain terms that if he pledged Sigma, he was not to come home again. He would be persona non grata. He was dead serious! The son didn't pledge Sigma nor is he Greek but he has a strong admiration for Omega. The father had no respect for Phi Beta Sigma. He felt it was the lowest of the low.