Ezra Calvin Cummings, Jr.

D.C. Native Centralian Soldier Husband

Father Friend

In Memory of

THE LIFE AND TRANSITIONOF

D.C. Native  Centralian  Soldier  Husband  Father  Friend

A D.C. Native, Centralian, Soldier, Husband, Father, Friend

Prepared by

Earl T. Tildon

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank and acknowledge the many people who contributed to this brochure by sharing thoughts, photographs and playing some role in the life of Ezra Calvin Cummings. You know who you are. This brochure is for anyone who knew Ezra and knew first hand that his life was worthy of remembering. It’s also intended for those who had a love one whose story may never be told, but whose memories are etched in their hearts. The thoughts herein are here because E zra’s youngest child, Sharon, needed her father to be remembered and etched on pages that could be tangibly retrieved by anyone who needed to be comforted.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 6 6 7

In the Beginning

Off to College

Military Career Began On to Corporate America

Sports

Chopper’s Closest Friends Chopper with Brothers The Family Began to Grow The Children Had Families

Sean

Steven Sharon

8 Some Bright Moments with My Friend “Chopper” 9 A Clarion Call 10 Funeral Photos 11-13 We Remember 14-21 Some Awards 22 First Memorial Day Visit 23 Sharon’s Memories 24 Postscript 25

Introduction This brochure is written in response to the emotional attachment a loving daughter had for her father. It is written because this doting daughter loved her father so much during his life, that she found mourning a place that seemed to be not only inevitable, but everlasting. This daughter was the youngest child in the family, but found little consolation for her grief in her older brothers. To her, there was no relief available for the loss of the man who she called “ D ad”. She saw him much like most soldiers saw him, a man with eagles on his shoulders that demanded them to salute with reverence. He was “Super Dad” to her, a man who caused her by his living and loving to extol him above all others. “He’s my dad” she mused; “how can my dad pass away and leave me cryin g incessantly?” Because this daughter, named Sharon, knew that this feeling caused by mourning was so severe, that only time would free her from it, she felt that she needed something, much like pillows and dolls that little girls cling to for security. She decided that she needed some words and pictures that would be constant reminders of her “Super Dad”. She needed something that would hold her within an arc of safety, so that she could move forward as “Super Dad” would have wanted. As you browse through this brochure, try to empathize with Sharon and find in your lifetime a peace of mind that comforts you.

In the Beginning

Ezra C. Cummings was born July 7, 1937 to Ezra Calvin Cummings and Carrie Cavanaugh Cummings in Washington, DC. He had four siblings; Joan, Floyd Lee Cummings, Theodore (“Teddy”) Cummings and Joan Carolyn Perkins.

He attended public schools in Washington, DC.

Baby Ezra

Smother’s Elementary School

Kelly Miller Jr. High School

Carrie Cummings Mother

Galloway Tower, Central State University

Spingarn High School

Off to College One day in 1955 on the campus of Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio I met Ezra Calvin Cummings, who was a graduate of Spingarn High School in my hometown, Washington, DC. His friends affectionately called him “Chopper”. I never learned why they called him “Chopper”; however I got to know him better when he became an applicant for membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the fraternity in which I was a member. He was initiated at Central State University, December 13, 1957, the Delta Zeta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Fall 1957 Kappa Line: Ezra Cummings is at the far right (He was the shortest member of his line.)

Ezra Calvin Cummings Father

` We later became roommates.

Fort Benning, Georgia in 1961, followed by a tour at the De-militarized Zone (DMZ), Korea. He was assigned to the 173 rd Airborne Brigade in Okinawa, Japan, where he departed to Vietnam. He commanded many solders in countless locations across the globe, including another tour in Vietnam with 101 st Airborne Division, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, Stuttgart, Germany, Fort Polk, Louisiana, and the 8 th U. S. Army Command, Yong-san Garrison, Korea, and two tours at the Pentagon. Some of his awards include: Expert Infantryman; Parachutist; Bronze Star; Meritorious Service; Army Commendation; National Defense Service; Vietnam Service; Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honorary Medals; Meritorious Unit Overseas Service; Army Service Ribbons; and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit, Meritorious, and Cross Unit Citations. He served 27 years of active military service in the U. S. Army, achieving the rank of Colonel. He held Command and executive positions at all levels, including Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Personnel Command in Alexandria, Virginia. He attended all of the armed services major educational programs, including the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He retired in 1987 from the Army’s Adjutant General Corps. On to Corporate America He also held B.S. and M.S. degrees as well as Executive Management Certificate from the Darden School of Business of the University of Virginia. Cummings was a major contributor to corporate America after his retirement from the military. Highlights of his business accomplishments include the following:  Director of Information Systems and Program Manager for a firm contracted to provide automation and information technology support to a major staff agency in the U.S Army’s Pentagon Headquarters;  Vice President/Program Manager for Training Automation Systems in support of the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia;  Executive Vice President and Program Manager for crises management systems in connection with major contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency;  Management consultant with Breil Worldwide Management until 2014; and  Member of the Board of Directors of The Washington Interdependence Council (WIC) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit civic organization authorized by Congress [P.L. 105-355] to erect a monument to colonial American hero Benjamin Banneker [1731- 1806].

I remember an experience we had one year when we decided to travel to New York City to the Omega Psi Phi Boat ride. I took him with to a friend’s house, who was a seamstress. She quickly made a white pillow-ticking knicker suit for me and a grey denim knicker suit for “Chopper”. Yes, she did this in one day. Her name was Thelma Weaver. “Chopper” and I immediately packed a duffle bag with music albums, darned our new suits and headed for the boat in New York City. We didn’t have time to check into the hotel, but nonetheless, we told our friends on the boat that we were having a party in our hotel after the boat ride. We only had one room at the hotel, not a suite, but people showed up and we had a party in our room. This event was sponsored by two broke Kappas in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, one of the most prestigious hotels In New York City.

When we checked out the next morning the bellmen lined up while we were waiting for our car, expecting to receive tips. I remember walking over to one of them and giving them $1.50 and saying; “this all we’ve got”. It was, because all we had was my father’s AMOCO credit card to pay for the gas in my father’s car we used to go to New York. This was one of my fondest memories of my friend “Chopper” He graduated from Central State University, a historical black college/university in December 1959, where he was commissioned into the United States Army as an active duty second lieutenant Infantry Officer. Military Career Began History will show that “Chopper” went on to have an achieving military career. His Army roots began with his first assignment in

Sports

Ezra loved sports, especially basketball and golf, and he was always current on news and politics. After retirement, he was an avid golfer when he was not working on the next consulting project for his company, Breil Worldwide Management, Inc. Most of us were not there when he dunked the basketball or hit his hole- in- one, but I’m sure we’re all convinced that it must have been a beautiful sight to see.

Chopper’s Closest Friends

Chopper with Brothers

JAMES L. RICE

EARL T. TILDON

GEORGE D. WILLIAMS

GARFIELD HUBBARD

The Family Began to Grow Sometime after “Chopper" returned to school he and Thelma renewed their relationship and were married. “Chopper" was in Ohio at Central State University and Thelma was in Maryland, just outside Washington, DC. In time they became parents of three wonderful children; Sean, Steven and Sharon.

5 As we grow we learn.....That even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let us down probably will. You'll have your heart broken and you'll break others' hearts. You'll fight with your best friend or maybe even fall in love with them, and you'll cry... So take too many pictures, laugh too much, forgive freely, and love like you've never been hurt. Life comes with no guarantees, no time outs, and no second chances. you just have to live life to the fullest, tell someone what they mean to you and tell someone off, speak out, dance in the pouring rain, hold someone's hand, comfort a friend, fall asleep watching the sun come up, stay up late, be a flirt, and smile until your face hurts. Don't be afraid to take chances or fall in love and most of all, live in the moment because every second you spend angry or upset is a second of happiness you can never get back. Unknown

The Children Had Families . Sean Cummings .

SEAN was the first born. He married Loria.They had two children, Kenade and Sean Patrick II.

STEVEN was the second born: “I was born in Japan. The unique images are made in America. I have always had a foreign view of America, the country I was made in. I’m no artist nor am I just a photographer. If these are the extremes, I find myself somewhere in between. For me, the camera was a tool. It didn’t make me, but it made me matter. I don’t know of many tools that have the power of a camera. It’s the only tool I know of that ena bles me to put my eyes in someone else’s head without any distraction or interpretation. I have tried to take full advantage of it. So I am considered a photo-grapher because everyone needs to be called something.” “I was probably raised to be a soldier, an officer in the military. But half of me was my mom. I guess I’m an officer and an artist (or some-thing like that). My dad showed me how to polish my boots; my mom showed me how to crochet, so I find myself to be very disciplined and Creative.” Steven married Tavia and they had two chil-dren; Ellis and Cameron .

Steven Cummings

Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post Photographer Jefry Andres Wright

` Sharon Cummings-White

SHARON was the third and last born; she immediately became the apple of “Chopper’s eye. She married Will White and gave birth to one daughter, Ryan Michelle White.

Some Special Moments with My Friend “Chopper” George D. Williams

There is so much to say about Ezra Cummings. He was a very good friend of mine. I met him at Smother's Elementary School around 1947. He was a domineering guy with immense energy. He thought he was a gigantic basketball player because he could jump so high. We attended Kelly Miller Jr. High and Spingarn Senior High Schools. I ran into Chopper at Central State University while I was playing basketball at West Virginia State University and we had a ball. He loved jazz and he thought he could sing. Moody’s Mo od for Love was one of his favorite songs. I left W.S.U. and went to Howard University and was asked to leave HU and ended up in the U.S. Army. Ezra was an officer and I was a field soldier.

Ezra and I got together in Massachusetts. We visited some of the finest Jazz clubs. As a matter of fact we visited Lennie's on the Turnpike a really hip jazz club and ran into Ben Dixon a classmate of Chopper and friend of mine, who was playing drums with Roland Kirk and Bobbie Timmons. When they had a break, Ben and I went outside to smoke a cigarette; we had plenty of fun. Next, we went over to Hanover, New Hampshire, 30 miles north of Boston and met Lionel Hampton. We were parking chopper's Volkswagen and Lionel who was outside smoking a cigarette, spoke to us. We were the only Blacks there

BEN DIXON

ROLAND KIRK

and Lionel Hampton took us inside the club and sat us up

front by the band and got us free drinks. We also visited another jazz club, Big M Club and saw Johnny Griffin and Eddie "Lockjaw Davis" We caught Carmen McRae at Basie Street East Club in Boston, MA. We went to the Jazz Work Shop in Back Bay Boston and Caught Art Blakey Quintet. Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan got to fighting on stage, so the owner gave us our money back. We enjoyed our whiskey and I do not know how we made it back to our different Military bases which were 60 miles apart from each other; he at Fort Devens and me at Fort Banks, Massachusetts.

“Chopper” got to enjoy all of these artists and more.

Special Moments (cont’d) On one occasion I had to visit Fort Devens to take a basketball officials test. So I convinced the driver to drop by Ezra's Company office. You could hear a pin drop, the office staff were crystal clean and I was wearing unclean fatigue pants--a big mistake. Chopper called the Military Police to have me arrested because my uniform was not pressed and my shoes were not spit shine. I immediately jumped in the car and left his post. When he came into Boston that night I asked him why did he do that to me, and he told me not to ever come into his office dressed like a bum. He was like General Patton on Duty. I rented an apartment in Roxboro, Mass. and Chopper use to come by all the time until we had too much activity going on with some of my friends. When Chopper use to come home from overseas he would always come and get me to play him a one on one basketball game at 6:AM and my father would tell him to get me up in the morning. We would go to Kelly Miller Recreation Center. Chopper was a dynamic person and always made his own decisions. I learned a lot from my dear friend, and one thing that I remember was to sing your own song and listen to others, but you have to do things your way. He was a true, dear friend and will be missed. I can hear Chopper singing in his own way, “I Did It My Way" . .

“I’ve lived that’s full; I've laughed and cried; I've had my fill, my share of losing And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing To think I did all that and may I say, not in a shy way Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way

For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught

To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels The record shows I took the blows and did it my way; Yes, it was my way.”

A Clarion Call On May 7, 2016 I received a call that “Chopper” had completed his journey on these mundane shores and transitioned to a place beyond the veil. Immediately I reflected on his life and the family members who I know and love. I went quickly to my memory bank and brought out those things about “Chopper” that I want to cherish for the rest of my life. I also paused to give thanks to God that I had the opp ortunity to know “Chopper”, his family and the achievements he made while on earth. I remember a scripture that “Chopper” remembered that his former pastor quoted, John 9:4: “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work .” Well, my dear friend, the night has come and you can res t from your labor. Farewell Colonel Ezra C. Cummings, Jr., farewell “Chopper”. I hope to meet you somewhere on the other side, and I pray that I will have enough money to pay the tips along that journey. Sharon, the scriptures read in Psalms 30:5: “…weep ing may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Your love for your father will always rest in a special place in your heart, and it will cause you to move to a place where your memories of Dad will bring great joy where there is lingering pain. May God continue to comfort you on your life’s journey. Earl “Tilly” Tildon

The Way We Were

COLONEL EZRA C. "Chopper” CUMMINGS, JR. U.S. ARMY (Ret.) 7/7/1937 - 5/7/2016

Ezra Cummings Jr., 78, an Army colonel who commanded paratrooper units during the Vietnam War and retired in 1987 from paratrooper units during the Vietnam War and retired in 1987 from the Army’s Adjutant General Corps, died May 7, 2016 at a hospital in Fort Belvoir, Va. “The cause was cancer”, said his former wife, Thelma Cummings. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 12 at 12 noon at Old Post Chapel, Ft. Myer, VA. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Zeleka Bereded; his former wife and life-time friend, Thelma Weaver Cummings; children, Sean Patrick Cummings (Loria); Steven Michael Cummings (Tavia); and Sharon Malissa Cummings-White (Will). Also, grandchildren; Steven Ellis Cummings, Cameron Camille Cummings, Kenadie Anny Cummings, Ryan Michelle White, and Sean Patrick Cummings, Jr. He is also survived by brother Theodore Cavanaugh Cummings, and sister Charlene Ruth Archie.

So live, that when thy summons comes to join the innumerable caravan, which moves To that mysterious realm, where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death, Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night, scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave, like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams. William Cullen Bryant

Funeral services: Old Post Chapel, Ft. Myer, VA.

Photographs on pagers 10-12 by Joshua Yospyn

Old Guard processing to graveside service at Arlington National Cemetery.

` He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

We Remember

SOME SIGNED THE GUEST BOOK : KARI ARCHIE Remembers: “My love and prayers go out to my cousins and other family members. I will miss you Uncle Chop. You were always a positive example in my life. I will always remember my summers in Herndon and you singing Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off!! I love you Always

ANONYMOUS: “My condolences. So sorry for your loss of your dear loved one. ”

COLONEL PAUL DAVIDSON, USARMY {RETIRED) Remembers: “One of the greatest Army officers with whom I served -8th Army Personnel Command, Korea, 1983- 84”.

ANNIE C. (Georgia) Remembers: “May God's loving kindness comfort you and help you through this sad and difficult time”. Psalms 119:50, 76.

TANYA ARCHIE Remembers: “Uncle Chop, one of the hardest things to do in my life was to tell mom that her Big Brother Passed away. Even when you were sick you were still protecting your baby sister. You were one of the strongest men that I have known, one of the best uncles in the world. It's so hard to believe that you are not here. But God wanted to bring you home. You may now rest easy, job well done. I Love you Uncle Chop. I will always honor you.”

Acknowledging the faithful mother of the children of Col. Ezra C. Cummings, Jr., who stood beside him during his stellar military career. She served the nation in support of one of their own.

THELMA WEAVER CUMMINGS

We Remember

The Grandchildren

We Remember

The Children

We Remember

The Children

18 Steven, Sean and Sharon

We Remember

George Williams, Clyde Aveilhe and “Chopper”

From Porsche to the Autobahn…

“In Germany we counted Porsches as we traveled the Autobahn, because Uncle “Chop” loved Porsches.” Tif Uncle “Chop” Was My Godfather

ve for AUTHENTIC schnitzel, gummy bears, & German soda! My dislike for pizza made in Italy but LOVE for handmade pasta and paella!  The Leaning Tower of Pisa really does lean!  The tulip will ALWAYS be my favorite flower.  My appreciation of sculpture from visiting the Masters in Italy. Many people look back to their childhood and find many defining moments or experiences that shape their adult lives good and bad. I suppose, I am no exception to that. L ng before there was “It takes a village”, black mothers and fathers created support systems ut of need. During the civil rights era, mothers and fathers struggled to attend college, raise families and worked to create equity and equality in the workplace. For them, alliances in fraternities, sororities, professional and social organizations created alliances that went far beyond membership dues. These relationships created extended families and support systems that enabled overtime, side jobs, hustles and protection for their children and communities.  Learning firsthand how our armed forces live and their conditions on bases in other countries.  Appreciating the relationships formed and the closeness of families in these situations.  Learning my first curse word in another language…..  Uncle Chop’s love for his command and the people under him. At the time he was developing a basketball league so that those under him would have an outlet for the various distractions presented by living in Germany at the time. He was proud of this league and his love of basketball was very much a part of his core.  My Aunt Thelma’s love for antiques and eye for them. Her sewing, refinishing and upholstery talents and ability to create something from nothing.  Sean’s sense of humor and kindness.  Stephen’s love for unusual and unique head-gear and questions. Around fifth grade, my parents moved to Maryland from DC and my parents asked me if I wanted to go to Germany; my godparents were stationed there for a time. The request was for the summer and my parents thought the opportunity would be good for me. At that time, I’d traveled on vacations with my parents, to summer camps for a few weeks, but never been on an airplane and the thought of the flight terrified me. Well, I checked in with my friends who’d flown before and after they shared their insight (which consisted of awesome flight attendants and in-flight movies…) I thought I could handle it. No one prepared me for the army transport flight which had flight att ndants but nothing near an inflight movie. Bummer…  Sharon’s independence and bravery in what were situations so alien for me.  The way my godparents cared for me and loved me as if I were their own. The way these things shaped me enabled me to:  Keep an open mind as I grew up to cultures non-American and otherwise. One of the alliances in our family was the practice of “God” mothers and fathers. The intent was to ensure that if something happened to the parents, these “Godparents” would assume full responsibility for the raising of the child. The concept of selecting these couples was that they would have like or similar values, s iritual and emotional and that the child would be raised in a family who is “in s nc” if you will, with the parents parenti g style. This practice would insure that the child not be place in fo ter care and be kept close to the family in case something woul happ n to the parents. I admit that when i was explained to e or ginally, I must have bee about 4, this caused a bit of angst. I imagined all types of horrific things happening that would l av me wit out my parents w o, at the time, were my entire  Open my heart to other traditions and the struggles in other cultures that mirrored mine.  Open my senses to flavors, smells and tastes without bias.  To try all things presented and not be afraid to embrace those things.  To create and explore my creativity without censure.  Laid the groundwork for my raising my own family to continue the practice of “God-parenting.” Today I remember those things and more as I think of my “God-family”. Much more than tradition, much more than a gift, much more than a single blessing. world. Additionally, my Godparents, Uncle Chop and Aunt Thelma, were in the army and traveled ll over the world. I remember asking my parents what the “army” did, and their answer did NOTHING to alleviate my concerns about being parent-less. After that, I kept CLOSE attention on where my parents and Godparents were always, Kansas, Pennsylvania and Germany to name a few. After what seemed an insurmountable long time, we finally arrived in Frankfurt, Germany and I was met by my Uncle Chopper. He met me with an amazing smile a d had a presence of “superman”. I’d always been around people of Black origin and the various languages in and around the Frankfurt irport made me a bit nervous until Uncle Chop showed up to save the day! 20 Proverbs 22: 6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

 My Aunt Thelma’s love for antiques and eye for them. Her sewing, refinishing and upholstery talents and ability to create something from nothing.  Sean’s sense of humor and kindness.  Sean’s sense of humor and kindness.  Steven’s love for unusual and unique head-gear and questions.  Sharon’s independence and bravery in what were situations so alien for me.  The way my godparents cared for me and loved me as if I were their own.  Keep an open mind as I grew up to cultures non-American and otherwise.  Open my heart to other traditions and the struggles in other cultures that mirrored mine.  Open my senses to flavors, smells and tastes without bias.  To try all things presented and not be afraid to embrace those things.  To create and explore my creativity without censure.  Laid the groundwork for my raising my own family to continue the practice of “God-parenting.” Today I remember those things and more as I think of my “God-family”. Much more than tradition, much more than a gift, much more than a single blessing. Proverbs 22: 6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The way these things shaped me enabled me to:

It was on that day I first traveled the “Autobahn” for the first time. Uncle Chop and I were both speed demons! I blame him for every ticket I have gotten since then. He created my need for speed.

I stayed with the family for the entire summer. The things I remember;

 Camping in Italy, Brussels, and Germany.  Meeting people, at the various campsites and learning from them interesting facts and facets of varying cultures.  My love for AUTHENTIC schnitzel, gummy bears, & German soda!  My dislike for pizza made in Italy but LOVE for handmade pasta and paella!  The Leaning Tower of Pisa really does lean!  The tulip will ALWAYS be my favorite flower.  My appreciation of sculpture from visiting the Masters in Italy.  Learning firsthand how our armed forces live and their conditions on bases in other countries.  Appreciating the relationships formed and the closeness of families in these situations.  Learning my first curse word in another language…..  Uncle Chop’s love for his command and the people under him. At the time he was developing a basketball league so that those under him would have an outlet for the various distractions presented by living in Germany at the time. He was proud of this league and his love of basketball was very much a part of his core.

My Husband Vernon and Me.

Me and Our Sons, Dustin and Drew

` Soldier Cummings Received Numerous Awards, Including:

Expert Infantryman

Parachutist

Meritorious Unit Overseas Service

National Defense Service

Army Commendation

Bronze Star

Army Service

Meritorious Service

Vietnam Gallantry Cross

Meritorious Service

Remembering “Chopper”

Though “Chopper” lies quietly in his final resting place; His life is not forgotten, a life he lived while in this race. He made a difference during the decades he lived; The world is a better place because of the things he did. Though he lay quietly among thousands of his peers; Others who fought for freedom down through the years. There’s no need for mourning, his life was filled with joy; He kept a smile upon his face since he was a boy. “Chopper” always brought joy everywhere he went; Making others feel better, was how his life was spent. “Chopper” was a soldier; that’s what he wanted to be; Look closely at his record, and that is what you see.

23 1

Col. Ezra C. Cummings, Jr.

Postscript What if a soldier named Ezra Calvin Cummings, Jr. had not walked upon the planet called earth, and what if he had not dedicated his life to the freedom of his people? What if Ezra had not excelled as a “gung ho” soldier, and served his nation (U. S. A.) in war zones in foreign lands? The answer to each of these questions would be; we would not have witnessed the outstanding contributions Ezra made by doing things that were his vocation, avocation and his passion. Ezra was an extraordinary man who prepared himself to do extraordinary things. Of all the things Ezra did during his lifetime, he preferred simply to be called “SOLDIER”. He liked everything the word “SOLDIER” stood for, and he liked the militaristic protocol and the cadence in a soldier’s daily walk. Ezra was a “SOLDIER” who talked the talk and walked the walk of a foot soldier, even when the enemy was close by. For those who had the privilege of knowing Ezra, there was something very special about this “SOLDIER”. There was something special about the way he smiled, that made you feel a radiance of love coming from this “SOLDIER”. There was something special about the energy that Ezra brought into our presence, an energy that exuded confidence, enthusiasm and a zeal to win; he was a “SOLDIER” extraordinaire, born to be a “SOLDIER”, and proud to know that his body would lay in the Arlington National Cemetery with his peers, known and unknown. He was a “SOLDIER” who walked on his heels and proudly served his country.

D.C. Native Centralian

Soldier Father Friend

Prepared by Earl T. Tildon

The Kappa Alpha Psi ® Hymn

O noble Kappa Alpha Psi, The Pride of all our hearts. True manliness, fidelity, Thou ever dost impart. The source of our delights and joys, and happiness thou art, O noble Kappa Alpha Psi, from thee we'll never part. O noble Kappa Alpha Psi, from thee we'll never part. Now in the days of happiness, of pleasure and good cheer. I lift a cup of joy and health, to every member here. To those who loved and toiled and strove, for thee in other years,

I give full honor and revere, our noble Brothers dear. I give full honor and revere, our noble Brothers dear.

When all our student days are done and we from school must go; Still we will honor, love and sing Thy praises o'er and o'er. We'll live for thee, we'll strive for thee, we’ll all thy ways adore, We’ll long for thee and toil until we reach that Golden Shore. We'll long for thee and toil until we reach that Golden Shore.

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