Gamma Pi Leads a Military Celebration for the Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta During Recent Delta Centennial in Washington, D.C.

The Military Women Honored During July 10 Event

By Brother Reginald Thomas

On Wednesday, July 10, 2013,  the eve of the historic 51st National Convention of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Ernest E. Just Foundation, Inc., founded by Gamma Pi's own Bro Wesley Jarmon, hosted a Reception, Dinner and Dance for the Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The theme of the evening was "Honoring Deltas that Serve".   The event was held at Capital Ballroom, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) at the Officer's Club, Washington, DC.   The purpose of the event was honor the women of Delta that served  and are still serving in the military in uniform, as Department of Defense (DoD) Civilians and Contractors.  Upon learning that their was no event of this nature planned in the official Delta Convention schedule Brothers Reginald Thomas, William "Bill" Reese and Edgar Brookins, all retired military who came together to put a plan in place to honor the ladies of the military patterned after the Omega Salute to the Military in 2011.  The Brothers also reached out to active and retired military members of Delta to assist in the

planning of the event and many responded in kind.

After the receptions, the national color was posted by the Bolling JBAB Honor

WUSA 9 Newscaster and Delta J.C. Hayward (rigth) 

Guard and Colonel Michael Saunders, Vice Commander of Bolling gave welcoming

comments.  The guest speaker for the evening was Major General (Retired)

Marcelite J. Harris, United States Air Force and a member of Delta Sigma

Theta.  General Harris gave an inspirational speech of her days a Spelman

College and her participation in the 1960's sit-ins to the many

"firsts" of her career as she was first African American female promoted to the rank of

General Officer in the US Air Force.  Also, Ms. J.C. Hayward, Noon

Anchor, USA9 News and a member of Delta Sigma Theta, served as the Mistress of

Ceremonies and performed magnificently. Other senior Deltas honorees include the

Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd, Delta Centennial Chair. She supported the DoD as a Senior Analyst working on nuclear submarines early in her professional career.

Dr. Boyd remarked that one of her line sisters was in attendance and she was Air Force retiree as well.  A presentation from the Secretary of Defense was made by Brother Reginald Thomas to the Deltas. Various other senior military Deltas included Brigadier General (Retired) Clara Adams-Ender, the first African American and female to command Fort Belvoir, Virginia, who also gave brief remarks at the conclusion of the

event.

Brothers Reese, Thomas and Brookins During Program 

Senior military officials from around the country came to honor the Deltas including Army four-star General Dennis Via, Commander, Army Material Command who wife is a Delta, three-star General William "Kip" Ward, whose wife is also a

Delta, and he is a member of Omega Psi Phi and previous Gamma Pi Achievement

Week Keynote Speaker, and Major General Robert E. Ferrell, Commander, U. S. Army

Communication Electronics Command.  The ladies were escorted by members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., from the Washington D.C. area to include Gamma Pi, Lambda Gamma Gamma, Alpha Omega, and Alpha Lambda Lambda chapters.  Entertainment was provided by the Just Friends Band that is comprised of all Omegas from various chapters in the Washington, D.C. area. 

Overall everyone in attendance enjoyed themselves and it was a night the Deltas will remember for a long time to come.

Bro.Jarmon of Just Foundation

Gen. William "Kip" Ward (center) with other Military Men 

Military Men and Delta Military Women

Keeping Omega Alive with Life Membership

7 of the 10 Genesis X Line members display their plaques
with Chapter Life Member Chair Bro. Lester Miles, M.D. (2nd left) 

Submitted by the Members of the Genesis X Line

The members of Gamma Pi's Chapter Spring 2011 Line Genesis X made a promise that we would obtain Life Memberships once we became Omega men.  Genesis X believed becoming a Life Member is not only an honor but a duty to the Fraternity.  On June 5, 2013,  the men of Genesis X became Life Members with an interesting twist -- arranging for our individual Life Membership  numbers to be assigned in the same sequential order as the makeup of our line.

The members of Genesis X have felt  as though the Fraternity has taught us so much, and for each of us,it has been a long journey but an honor to call ourselves Omega men.  Throughout the process we were led by seasoned Omega men from all over the 12 Fraternity districts.  These seasoned Omega men have taught us the importance of leaving a legacy not only to the chapter but to the Fraternity.

We the men of Genesis X, who are working hard to take a visible and active role in Gamma Pi,  believe that being "owt" is  more than hopping and throwing parties. Instead, it is friendship, service, commitment and pride in the Fraternity. Genesis X understands that as Centennial Brothers,  it is our duty to move the Fraternity to the next 100 years.

Genesis X during a 2011 service project while pursuing Omega Psi Phi

As Omega men, we must continue to value service inside and outside the Fraternity. Following the guidance of Grand Basilus Dr.  Andrew Ray as dictated in his address during the Centennial Rededication Ceremony,  we must continue to stand on the solid foundation and remain active to ensure like-minded men will represent the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.  To do this, we,Genesis X will accept the baton passed to us and keep Omega alive. Thanks to Gamma Pi for supporting us in this effort to ensure that for each of us, Omega is a lifelong commitment.

The Super Chapter Recognizes 40 Years at Summertime Anniversary Dinner

Normally, Gamma Pi chapter holds its annual Brothers Only Dinner at the Officers' Club at Andrews Air Force Base during Achievement Week. But this year is special to the Super Chapter as it celebrates 40 years in existence, having been chartered in March 1973. As part of the ongoing anniversary celebration, Gamma Pi moved its popular Brothers Only Dinner up to June 28 as part of the lineup of signature events planned for the 40th. A series of anniversary events is taking place throughout the year.

The Brothers dinner highlighted chapter founders, history and leadership through the years. About 100 Brothers attended the event, which was held in a huge tent pitched under the stars on what started out as a stormy night. Backgrounded by an exquisite catered meal,the members of the Super Chapter exchanged stories and recalled some of the chapter's most memorable moments. It was a time for Brothers to connect and re-connect across years and decades, chronicling the chapter's illustrious history that has been marked by award-winning public service, innovation, District and International leadership and more recently by a growth spurt that has seen Gamma Pi's rolls surge past 160 active members.

The 40th Anniversary celebration kicked off with a Reunion program that was held on the chapter's Charter Day on March 5. That was followed by the 40th Anniversary Mardi Gras Dance and Dinner Extravaganza on March 16. The celebration will culminate during Achievement Week with a formal public dinner. The Brothers dinner was streamed live over the Internet and is available for on-demand viewing at:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/gamma-pi-on-location

Gamma Pi was named a  Social Action Chapter of the Year award winner for the Second District at this year's district conference and received Graduate Chapter of the Year awards three times in the decade of the 2000's.

Past Basilei Brothers Kenneth Rodgers and Teddy Taylor are co-chairs of the 40th Anniversary Committee. Visit Gamma Pi on the web at: www.gammapi.org

Maryland Chapter Gets Locked Up -- To Help Save Young Lives

For the third year in a row, Gamma Pi chapter went and got itself locked up. Brothers did not commit any crimes,. But they went behind the walls of a secured youth correctional facility for a Saturday slate of activities to help troubled young men see a future in their present trouble.

At left, the Brothers gather outside the Cheltenham Youth Facility in Prince George’s County on Saturday, June 15, right before entering the facility.

The project is in conjunction with Father’s Day weekend, given that many of the young men in the facility do not have father figures in their lives, and some are teen fathers. For several hours, Gamma Pi Brothers share information about personal grooming, goal-setting, education and career. They also talk about how to be a good father and how the young men can find their niche and contribute to society, despite their present circumstances. Visit Gamma Pi’s Facebook page to see our photo album from today’s visit.