There were no Freshman at PSU when I started my Freshman year. I went to California Stayr Teachers College, as did all PSU scholarship football players. I did not have one, but several of them became my Brothers. During the start of the second semester I moved into Phi Delta Theta and away we went.
Over half of the Brothers were veterans of WWII, and they were a great group. There was a House Mother named Marie, who lived on the 1st floor and did the cooking. She also took care of all the hurts we got into, with band aids and a hug. Also with girlfriend problems.
Breakfast was on your own with what was set on the table, as was lunch. Dinner was at 5 PM and you had to be on time and dressed correctly or you could not join in. We all stood and a prayer was given by the President. A senior Brother sat at the head and a Pledge at the other.
Anything a Brother needed the Pledge got it. If a Brother asked you to sing a song you did it. I had a guitar so I had to sing a country song a number of times. Pledges also helped in the kitchen and I had the job of peeling potatoes and then making them mashed with butter. There was always something to do.
Two tables of cards were active, and intramural sports. Most frats had a football and basketball team. We usually did well in both. Three times we went up to the state prison to the north and played their team (inside of course). We also ate with the prisoners one time.
After being a pledge for so long there came a week of protecting the house from the eagle. If this bird would land all hell would break loose. For quite a few hours the pledges went through what today would never happen.
Of course, after all the bad stuff we became Brothers and were allowed in the secret room for the first time. We had a wonderful bar area and every Saturday beer was on tap, there was piano music and tapes.
Due to the fact I was handy with tools I became house manager. This also had me keeping all of us taking care of their rooms and if they were too bad a $10 fine was issued on their bill. For this job I received $50 a month. Along with my paper route with the Centre Daily Times, and my Naval Reserve pay I was doing just fine. The Korean War sent a lot of us out of the great days we were having. There were so many good times; of course age does creep up on us. I like what you gentlemen are trying to do, and I wish you good luck.
I do not drive much at all and have some eye problems. I still call play some golf however.
YITB,
John V. Berry
