Brotherhood demonstrated

[Tom Earp]

Matt, I notice your date of death was July 15 th.

Not sure what to make of this dating, but it is a hard thing to live with as we never know what is in a persons mind at the time. One Brother came to my Dads funeral as most did not know at the time.

LXA is not just a Brotherhood of we, but many times it is our familys also.

Dad and Moms become part of the LXA Family as they are part of us.

We feel sorrow for any part of our Family.

When our Patroness, Mrs. Ligon passed. there were many Brothers there from some ways away and nothing but Brothers as pall bearers.

That is just what we are, Brothers and any part of each of our family is a part also!

[boz130]

My dad passed away in 1995, during my "hiatus" from LCA. Seems my ex didn't think I s/b keeping in touch w/"those guys"..."When are you going to grow up?"...yadayadayada.

However, after the divorce I started working w/Northwestern in late '97. Their High Pi (Order of Merit winner Frank Mann) was my local contact for donating to NAFD--I'd go to Sam's Club, buy a few cases of canned goods & drive them to his home in Evanston.

That fall Frank told me that the chapter was going to be reactivating in the spring & asked if I wanted to get involved. Since my girlfriend (now bride) didn't mind, I agreed to help out. I also started to assist @ Illinois State.

Fast forward to 2002. My mom passed away on St. Paddy's Day, and I prepared a eulogy for her (just as I'd done for my dad). For this service, I had assistance--sitting in a group were 6 NU alums...and near the altar was a floral arrangement from the ISU board.

Knowing those guys were there for me on one of the saddest days of my life meant a ton, more than words can express.

I'm sorry for your loss, bro...but we're here for ya.

In ZAX,
BF