MysticCat -

That is a wonderful story! I hope your son cherishes the meaning and history of that badge as much as you obviously do!

A question (for everyone) about badges - I'm getting the impression that the badges you receive at initiation have jewels in them - is this correct? I'm curious because DOs only receive a gold badge with no stones of any kind - you have to order one of those on your own, and I've actually never seen one (not even at convention!) Is it common for other fraternities and sororities to automatically recieve a jeweled badge?