Fifty years is a significant benchmark in measuring history, 
remembering events, calculating the age of things, and celebrating the 
length of human relationships.
     In terms of history, fifty years is the cause for significant 
recollection and remembrance of wars, battles, death of a President or 
prominent historical figure, a law being passed, etc. In historical 
jargon 50 years is described as "half a century."
     Major events are also celebrated in grand style such as 50 years 
since the first Ford Mustang, 50 years of color television, and 50 years
 since the Beatles toured America, etc.
     In calculating the "age" of things, 50 years is the benchmark for 
declaring an object an "antique."
     And regarding human relationships the 50 year mark is celebrated as
 a "Golden Anniversary."
     So to put things in their proper perspective in so far as my pledge
 brothers gathering at Whitey's and the Museum this Saturday it should 
be described as:
          "Half a century" ago a bunch of your teenagers, who are now 
"antiques", got initiated into Phi Lambda Epsilon and are now 
celebrating their "Golden Anniversary" together! (ha)
     the key elements that are left out of that description, but is, in 
reality, the true cause of our current celebration is that it signifies 
50 years of an "enduring brotherhood"...a brotherhood that was, is, 
continues to be, and will always be for as long as we live!
     Home mortgages only last 30 years, some buildings don't last 50 
years, and marriages? (until death do us part? I don't think so)...in 
fact, if you added up the years of both my marriages and throw in some 
years for girl friends it still doesn't add up to 50 years (ha). 
     Sadly, a number of our Phi Lamb brothers have not lived to see this
 day come, so that we are reminded at this celebration that life is 
short and 50 years together is very precious. Let us forgive one another
 continuously as the older we get the more ornery we get and we squabble
 about "little things". With the remaining sand at the top of our hour 
glasses let us be quick to help one another, love one another, and 
forgive one another, and of course enjoy one another's company at every 
opportunity. Let us all commit to ourselves here and now that as we have
 lived as brothers we will die as brothers. We gather unfortunately too 
often in the past years to read the Death Ritual for a passing Brother, 
but we need to pledge, with our PLE Honor, that even if there is only 
one of us left, that "one" remaining Brother will read the Death Ritual 
for the second to last to pass. Such is our bond. Such is our love for 
each other. Such is our Brotherhood. 50 years of "true" Brotherhood is a
 lot, but it doesn't compare to the value of a "lifetime of Brotherhood"
 that we all enjoy today, and will continue to enjoy forever, "to death 
do us part." 
     I am with you there in spirit in the midst of our joyous 
celebration of 50 years together since our initiation for I am your 
Brother in the Bonds of K.E.A. and I will continue to be proud to be 
your Brother for all the years of the rest of my life. 
     Raise an ice cold mug of draft for me and know that I am with you 
in that toast. Love, your Brother, "Gross Man"

     Coming together 50 years ago as teenage pledges was a "beginning";
     "Hanging together" for 50 years as grown men is a "modern miracle";
     Still "being together" after 50 years in love and Brotherhood is 
"priceless."