Remembering the Reason
Above: Georgia Southern Brothers and their swords: Murray Ricketson ('12), JT Ricketson ('83), LA Ricketson ('84), Tyler Ricketson ('09)
Newfound Zeal An alumnus reconnects through the ritual By L. A. Ricketson (Delta Theta – Georgia Southern ’84) Back in 1983, when I was a 17-yearold Kappa Alpha pledge at Georgia Southern, I used to think how old and uncool parents were when they came down to visit on Parent’s Day. Over 30 years later, I am now that parent. However, I am much cooler and much younger than they were; or, so I tell myself. Currently, I have three daughters in college and I am enjoying reliving some of the great memories of my college days. My brother, also a KA Alumnus, has two sons currently enrolled at Georgia Southern. Recently, I had the honor of being invited down to witness their initiations into the Order. This was the first time I had witnessed our rich, timeless ritual since I’d graduated college. As a young and dumb college kid, I cherished our heritage, but I never really internalized and embraced its full meaning and the fact that it was written
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150 years ago. Seeing the ritual with fresh, “mature” eyes, a sense of great pride swelled within me. It is not often a person can be such an integral part of something so noble and with such solid history. I am a fan of swords. The church I am a member of presents them as gifts to proven leaders. I believe they not only bring out the “man” in guys, they also symbolize greatness far beyond their brass, wood and steel parts. As a result, I have a sword displayed in my home office that reminds me of my role as an Ambassador for God and as the Spiritual Leader of my family. My brother had seen my sword and thought it would be appropriate to gift his sons with one after their initiations. Needless to say, they were thrilled and several of their fraternity brothers watched in envy. Combining my newfound vigor and zeal for the Order with my elation from FALL 2013
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having witnessed my two nephews hold their swords with pride, I came home with a mission to create the perfect gift for a Kappa Alpha gentleman. I have recently made available the Original Sword and Spur Display on an e-commerce website (TreasuredCross.com). In appreciation to the Order for enriching me with worthy principles to live by and for their nonwavering faithfulness to our Founding Fathers’ vision, I am donating $10 to each chapter when an Active or Alumnus brother makes a purchase. For those of you who have not attended an initiation since your graduation, I encourage you to do so. The values of our Order have not held true for 150 years on accident. Each of us are blessed to have been accepted into the Order and are privileged to carry its banner.
THE KAPPA ALPHA JOURNAL
10/2/13 9:30 AM