News Article - 3 minute read

On April 27, 2024, Brother Robert Jackson III of Sigma Mu Mu Chapter, Third District of Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity, Inc., was honored along with ninety other veterans by Honor Flight – Top of Virginia during
Honor Flight Network’s Day of Honor in Washington, D.C. Honor Flight-Top of Virginia is a hub of the
Honor Flight Network created solely to honor America’s military veterans for their sacrifices. One of
Honor Flight’s key events is the Day of Honor in Washington, D.C. when participants visit the memorials
built in tribute to the service of our veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
It is a one-of-a-kind journey that recognizes the bravery, determination, and patriotism of our nation’s
senior war veterans. The veterans are transported to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at their
memorials.  Top priority is given to the senior veterans, namely World War ll survivors, along with those
other veterans who may be terminally ill.  After them, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans are given
priority.  Each veteran has an escort (Guardian) for the entire venture who are at the veteran’s beckoned call.

Brother Jackson is a Vietnam veteran who was drafted into the Army shortly after being initiated into
Omega in 1965 through the Gamma Gamma Chapter at Grambling College (now Grambling State
University). He was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation in October 1967 from the
Infantry Officer Candidate School. Brother Jackson went on to serve in the United States Army Special
Forces, known as the Green Berets, as an executive officer on two A-teams in the Mekong Delta and
earned many awards for his courageous service in Vietnam. After returning from the war and recovering
from a life-threatening wound suffered during his last mission, Brother Jackson enlisted and served 30
years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a captain.
Ironically, Brother Jackson volunteers as an Honor Flight Chicago Guardian so he was familiar with the
Day of Honor activity. During the event, he visited the ‘Wall’ displaying an etching of one of his Green
Beret roommates who was killed in action (KIA) two days after Brother Jackson was wounded. Being
the proud, spry 59-year Omega man that he is, Brother Jackson jokingly made it clear that he used a
wheelchair for the event in accordance with Honor Flight recommendations based on rainy weather and
slippery pavement conditions.

It was fitting for Brother Jackson to receive recognition from Honor Flight-Top of Virginia, especially in
light of his volunteer service for the Honor Flight organization as well as his military service. In a letter
to Honor Flight-Top of Virginia, Omega’s Third District Representative, Brother Shawn Lacey,
congratulated Brother Jackson on behalf of the Third District, writing: “On behalf of the Brothers of the
Third District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., we honor your faithful service to our country,
communities, and 59 years to the Greatest Fraternity known to man.” Sigma Mu Mu Chapter is proud to
call Brother Jackson one of its own and congratulates him on a well-deserved honor.