[[Updated May 30, 2012]]
[[Editor's note: Thanks to Theta Chi National Vice President Joseph R. D'Amore for contributing this story ]]
Theta Chi brothers gathered on Memorial Day to honor one of their own. 1st Lt. James Flannery (Epsilon Eta/IUP 1968) was killed in action in April 1970 while serving in the Vietnam War. For his heroic actions, Brother Flannery earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
Over the years since the war, the brothers at Epsilon Eta Chapter have remembered the loss and always kept their fallen brother in their thoughts. Still, they felt that something more was needed to honor Brother Flannery and so commissioned a new memorial tribute portrait to honor his memory. The portrait was completed by one of Flannery's chapter brothers, Bob Clarke (Epsilon Eta/IUP 1969). The portrait was unveiled was unveiled at Brother Flannery's alma mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, at a ceremony attended by over 100 fraternity brothers, spouses, family members, university officials, ROTC representatives, former Army colleagues and friends.
During the moving event, speakers and friends honored a true Theta Chi hero. The dedication ceremony speakers all conveyed their special thoughts, memories and the bonds of friendship they had with Brother Flannery from their days at IUP and beyond in his service to America while in the Army.
“[He is] always in the memory of those that were privileged to share life with Jim during his time at IUP,” Carl Amenhauer (Epsilon Eta/IUP 1967) said. “We salute you and thank you for your sacrifice. [We] draw inspiration from his legacy of honor, bravery, and love of country.”
The memorial portrait now permanently resides in Pierce Hall on the IUP campus, home of the campus ROTC program.