C H A P T E R N E W S
It was during this time, Washington first encountered KappaAlpha Psi. He recalls being in the campus cafeteria his freshman year when he saw a group of young “fellas” singing some sorts of songs. Somewhat of a songbird himself, the melody sung by these young men caught not only his attention but also the attention of the other students, “especially the young ladies.” He remembered asking someone who these “fellas” were. He knew he had to be a part of this crew. He was informed that the singers all belonged to the on- campus fraternity of Kappa Alpha Psi. During his third year, he found himself pledging Kappa. As the tallest, about 6’2” and quite a songster, Brother Washington remembers being named the Lead for his six-member line. In 1955, the initiation period was for an entire semester. Included on that line were: Holman Edmond, Jr., Isom Frazier, James Laidler, Jr., Benjamin Oglesby, and Jimmie Williams, three of which still living – Edmond, Jr., Washington, andWilliams. The remaining line members still keep in touch, and Brother Washington maintains a close relationship with Brother Edmond, Jr., often talking by phone. Brother Edmond, Jr., retired after a distinguished pilot career in the U.S. Army. Brother Williams retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving over 25 ½ years of famed service, mainly in the Transportation Corps. Coincidentally, all three remaining brothers were U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force commissioned officers
from the service-specific ROTC programs while attending Tuskegee Institute. Although busy with his studies, Brother Washington was able to cultivate his love for singing as a member of the Tuskegee Institute Choir. Brother Washington met Ms. Ernestine Groomes from Jacksonville, Florida, a student at Tuskegee Institute. Ernestine, like Brother Washington, was an “achiever” and, while still in college, was initiated into the sorority of Zeta Phi Beta (Theta Beta 1956). Ernestine graduated from Tuskegee Institute in 1957. The two became husband and wife, marrying in Beaufort in June 1957. From their long-time union came the birth of four lovely and successful daughters. Firstborn, Mary Stephanie, then Cynthia, next was Rella Michelle, and lastly, Freda. Brother Washington explained that having a son did not seem in God’s plan for him and Ernestine. They both agreed that their final child would be named Freda, to incorporate some of “papa Freddie’s” name. His daughter “Mary” Stephanie shared her name with his mother. And “Rella” Michelle shared her
name with Brother Washington’s grandmother. Brother Washington’s first military assignment was at Randolph Air Force Base, located in Universal, Texas. There, he began training to become a pilot. Brother Washington couldn’t quite recall the type of aircraft he received his training; however it was more than likely the T-33 (trainer aircraft). He trained to become a pilot for about six to eight weeks but didn’t complete this training. He was reassigned as a personnel officer and spent the rest of his tour of duty as a Second Lieutenant Personnel Officer. During this time, the United States was ramping-up war with Vietnam. He remembered three of his “buddies” from his ROTC days at Tuskegee Institute, being killed in action while performing their duties as Air Force officers in Vietnam. Brother Washington often reflects on his flight training and sees himself not completing his training as “a blessing in disguise.”
“get that Freddie Washington down here.”
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C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference
T H E K H R O N I C L E | November 2021
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