8 3 YEARS Y O U N G
BIRTHDAY SALUTE TO BROTHER RAYMOND W. CANNON On the evening of January 28, 1975, Past General President Raymond W. Cannon was preparing to retire when he heard considerable commotion. As he proceeded to investigate, he saw his wife standing in the open doorway — and Alpha Phi Alpha men streaming into his home. They were from all over Southern California — mostly from Beta Psi Lambda (Los Angeles), Alpha Delta (University of Southern California), and Eta Pi Lambda (Pasadena) and elsewhere. Brother Thadeaus H. Hobbs, Western Regional Vice President, headed the brothers and presented a birthday cake, about 3 feet long; Brother Clifford Prince, representing Eta Pi Lambda Chapter, presented a gift certificate for $25.00. They all sang "Happy Birthday", and the various brothers extended greetings and best wishes. Brother Hobbs made remarks; and likewise, Brothers Clinton Minnis (President of Beta Psi Lambda) and Clifford Prince spoke.
Shown here speaking at the Tribute to Jewel Henry A. Callis, Brother Cannon was the Senior Past General President in attendance at the 1974 San Francisco convention.
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Brother Cannon was entirely surprised and almost overwhelmed. In responding, he mentioned that he is now 83 years of age, that he entered Alpha Phi Alpha as a charter member of Mu Chapter(Minneapolis April 6, 1912, and that he has been a member of Alpha Phi Alpha nearly 6 3 years. He further stated that he was the youngest member of his chapter and could have graduated at 20 years of age but that he was obliged to remain until he was 21 years of age to receive a degree from a professional college of the University of Minnesota. He further stated that he was elected junior delegate to the 5th General Convention (December 1912) in Columbus, Ohio, and that some of the brothers of his chapter voted to send him because he had never been away from home and they thought the experience would "do him good." That convention unanimously elected him General Vice President. Brother Cannon stated that he has held five different general offices in the Fraternity and throughout the years his endeavors for Alpha Phi Alpha and the great work it undertook to perform were both challenging and stimulating; and that he has derived great satisfaction for helping to inaugurate and participate in a great program, rather a movement, dedicated to the uplift of mankind and our youth in particular. Mrs. Cannon (who is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority) served coffee and refreshments. Pictures were taken. Brother Cannon played on his stereo the record that celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Sphinx. The brothers sang the Alpha Hymn; and as the hour of midnight approached, the brothers departed — leaving Brother Cannon in a state of ecstacy such as only the Good Ole Alpha Spirit can create. The Sphinx / February 19 75