My Vietnam War Experience-- Part 4: Pledging Delta Sigma Phi

Continued from August 7, 2017.

In the spring semester 1970, I pledged Delta Sigma Phi fraternity at Northern Illinois University.  Tension on campus continued to get worse as the Vietnam War dragged on.  There was quite a bit of this anti-war sentiment that flowed over to anti-establishment and fraternities and sororities were viewed as "The Establishment," so our groups came under increasing fire from the others.

I had a great time during pledging and I have to admit that my grades slipped quite a bit.  To put it mildly, we partied a whole lot.  Delta Sig pledges had to carry this big old empty bomb shell around campus and protect it, or dire consequences if it got "stolen."  It was painted green with our Greek letters on it.  We never lost it.

Of course, failing college was a REAL Good way to get yourself to Vietnam via Uncle Sam's Draft.  You flunk, you get shot.

The frat house was on Augusta Avenue, east of campus (44 Augusta?).

Anyway, I became an active in April.

Hoddy Toddy, God-Almighty, Who the Hell Are We?  We're the Delta Sigs.  --RoadDog