Sammy Stories

Repairing The World

When I began by service as Sigma Alpha Mu’s Supreme Prior dedicated this column to sharing with you stories from our members that remind us of who we are and what we stand for. This is probably going to be my final opportunity to share such a story with you here. expect to finish my term as Supreme Prior next summer and then spend my final year on the Octagon supporting my successor. want to thank you all for the honor and privilege of allowing me to serve our organization. I look forward to continuing to serve and support ΣAM in the future as opportunities arise to do so.

The plan for this issue of the Octagonian was to share stories about Sammys who have made a difference in our world. While we certainly have many such stories, have chosen this one because it is truly inspirational. cannot take credit for “saving the best for last” because, in fact, this story just happened only 2 months ago.

On Friday September 27, 2024 Fra Eddie Hunnell (Sigma Omega, ’86) was in Grassy Creek, NC for his son’s wedding taking place that weekend. Unfortunately, so was Hurricane Helene. On that afternoon Fra Hunnell risked his life to save Leslie Worth, a 67-year old retired woman who was trapped in her flooded house. Here are Eddie’s words describing what happened that day:

“…While preparing for the rehearsal dinner and watching the rain come down and the river rise, we heard about Leslie being trapped in her house. We ran over to see if we could help. The water was running fast and up about 15 feet at the time. We did not have any way to get Leslie out. She was wearing a life vest. I yelled to her that if the house started moving, to jump downstream ahead

of the house. About 2 minutes later the roof of another house floated down the river and hit her house. 2 minutes after that her house came off its foundation and started being carried away by the high water. It crashed into some trees then started coming apart, dumping its contents into the river. I yelled to Leslie to jump in. Thankfully she did. I was in a canoe and tried to paddle to her but I could not control the canoe sufficiently with the current and the wind blowing. I also had a life vest on and did not see another way to help so I jumped in and grabbed ahold of her as she came down the fast current. The next 200 yards had very fast-moving water with obstructions, including a tennis court surrounded by a fence, and then some trees. There was no use doing anything but riding that part out. Beyond that was a 200-yard stretch without obstructions. I told Leslie to lean back and swam sidestroke as hard as I could, pulling on her life vest collar. While we were still about 40 feet out after about 20 feet the current almost stopped and then there was a back eddy. I knew then we would make it. Ten more feet and I could touch the ground. We walked out of the river to everyone's relief…”

Eddie was confronted with an emergency and didn’t have much time to think. His selflessness, bravery, respect for human life, quick-thinking and commitment to serving a higher purpose were reflex reactions that enabled him to saving Leslie Worth’s life. cannot think of a better example that demonstrates what Sigma Alpha Mu’s values are intended to inspire. For his actions we have awarded Eddie with Sigma Alpha Mu’s Heroism Award and will be arranging

a proper presentation of the award and a celebration of him.

Our Fraternity has given us many things, and one of the the most valuable is an appreciation that everything going on in and around our lives isn’t solely about ourselves. And it doesn’t require an emergency life-and-death situation for each of us to make a difference out there. We all regularly see people around us who are in need of help. Simple things like volunteering to tutor struggling students at a local school, helping to clean up litter in your community, volunteering to spend time with lonely/frightened people at an elder care facility or a children’s hospital, providing financial support to worthy causes, etc. can make a positive difference for those you are helping and also for you.

Eddie's actions of September 27th are an example of living ideals that result in actions worthy of the highest precepts of true manhood, democracy and humanity. I hope that they inspire for each of us to continue making positive contributions to our world.

Fast and Firm,

Dave P. Kleppel Supreme Prior