Woodstock West - 1970
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[March 7, 2011]
Alan "Catman" Moll
There's a movie being made about Woodstock West. Theta Chi's Gamma
Lambda chapter is well represented in the still photo above. So far,
besides me facing the National Guard line, I've spotted Dennis
Brachfeld, Rick Kidder, Dave Improta, and others I recognize but cannot
readily name.
Warren Welch
It almost looks like Rick Marden
behind the camera operator, Craig Davis behind Dennis, and Rick Kidder
behind Al.
Alan "Catman" Moll
Yes, that's Craig Davis behind Dennis Brachfeld, two younger Theta Chis
to my right I can't name, is that Jim Smith?, and it does look more like
Tim Schroeder in front of me (maybe AWOL that day?), that might be Bill
Orvis just over Kidder's shoulder and possibly Brad Condo behind Kidder.
Warren Welch
I just noticed in the picture that the Nation Guard had fixed bayonets;
they must have thought this was some serious shit because they wouldn’t
let us do this to quell fights at the beer joints when I was in the
Army.
Richard Liberth
The guy to Al's right was named Meyers and the other guy in front of
Meyers was Ted Doty's roommate whose name escapes me. I agree that's
Orvis behind Meyers. Guy in front of Al could be Halsted and guy up
front to left of Dennis could be Rich Brozen.
James "JJ" Moylan
This is fantastic. As I recall, I was in Law School that day! We did
talk about setting up a "Legal Help Desk" if anyone got arrested.
Don Skeffington
Wow – what a flashback. This photo brought back some ancient memories.
Anyway – here’s my input – Bob Meyers is on Al’s right, Bruce Carroll to
Kidder’s right. Craig Lebow in front of Al (telltale headband)! Mikey
Schlo to the right of the guy in the hood (photo far left, behind the
guy in the shades). I think that I’m pictured on the left of the page
(between 2 Army helmets and below the guy in the cowboy hat) – just
before I got the hell out of there on my bicycle. On the far right,
scroll over, and you’ll see Dave Improta on Al’s left (the infamous NY
Jets hat!).
After viewing this, and other website postings – it begs the question -
Is anyone out there holding any photos that we wouldn’t want family and
friends to see? Like from Daniel’s Park? Jamming to Flash Cadillac and
the Continental Kids? The Great Divide Saloon – Harvey Wallbangers? Al
and Chris’ house? Improta and Cowan’s Horses’ Ass? And probably the most
incriminating of all, Improta’s basement? (thank God that today’s
technology didn’t exist in those days!). Some of those would start a
firestorm ... good times had by all, and hopefully not to be seen on the
web!
Alan "Catman" Moll
Do I have pictures? Oh baby!
Warren Welch
Al Moll, the Wikileaks of Gamma Lambda ... and you were
all worried about me being a narc!
John A. Crystal, Jr.
Warren,
Don't worry about being a NARC, just ask JJ what
happened at a rush party in Westchester one summer. After telling every
one about all the weed that was available in Denver he asked me what I
was doing over other summer. When I told him I worked for the County
Police you could hear a pin drop and the color drained from his face.
James "JJ" Moylan
John,
I do not recall that, as you stated it, but in any
event, the Statute of Limitations has run. Also, aren't you in another
jurisdiction?
Bill Mortensen
Gee I think I was getting ready for basic training during this time.
Warren Welch
I was working for Sky Chef at Stapleton at the time, but I recall Al
giving me a personal tour of the camp when I was visiting the house.
Don Wofford
I was probably watching from the cover of the counter of the "Rocky
Built Burger" joint a couple of blocks away. Being arrested that day
would not have come close to the wrath I would have experienced on the
home front had I been kicked out of school!!!
Randy Tuttle
Someone of my former hair style is in the crowd, but I most remember
being on a bike on the safer side of the national guard.
Greg Auger
Hello to my Dear Brothers - It is a pleasure to receive this picture and
remember the days back in Denver. It is a pleasant break from the
monotony of winter. Since my birthday is Sunday I consider this a
birthday present from the brothers.
Robert Wolper
Schroeder and I were at the National Guard Armory that morning (we'd
signed up only about a week or so before). We both got a call very early
and were told to report to Speer & Logan. We then telephoned the house
at about 5:30 a.m. to tip everyone off that the Guard was being
mobilized. We hadn't been to basic training yet and couldn't be issued
weapons ... didn't have uniforms either, so they had to keep us back.
Lucky for us as I can't imagine what it would have been like having to
stand face-to-face against our fraternity brothers and classmates!
James "JJ" Moylan
There is an amazing irony here. As you know, Norwich University in
Vermont, where our Fraternity was founded on April 10, 1856, was a
renowned Military School. Founders Freeman and Chase were cousins and
from near by New Hampshire. However, the next two men to be initiated
into Theta Chi Fraternity on April 11, 1856 were Edward Bancroft
Williston from San Diego, CA., and Lorenzo Potter from Elkhorn, WI.
Imagine traveling all that way in the mid-1800's to go to a Military
School. Tends to prove how prestigious Norwich was at that time. When
the Civil War broke out, Alpha Chapter, Theta Chi Brothers went to fight
for the North and for the South. We hear so much about the Civil War
being the war of "Brothers against Brothers". In the sense of our
Fraternity, it is very true. Smaller scale with respect to Woodstock
West, but the irony is there.
David Winder
Hey guys, Isn't this more like a Kent State West (that didn't happen the
same way, thank God), than a Woodstock West?
[March 8, 2011]
Alan "Catman" Moll
Well Boyz,
I'm really impressed with the volume and content of responses on this
subject. I guess those days have left an impression on us after all.
Notwithstanding a couple of low points not worth mentioning here, our
fraternity's chapter had a lot to be proud of those days. On the subject
of the war in Viet Nam, sentiments around the house were as mixed as
they were on other subjects. Just think: Warren Welch (Army) was already
a veteran of that war, as was Hal Finley (Air Force) and a few others;
Ex Gamma Lambda president Brian Gratton was running the campus' SDS
chapter and Rene Donnard was bravely (and successfully) pursuing
Conscientious Objector status. Some of us were making noise in other,
sometimes confusing, ways. I gratuitously burned my draft card in speech
class to embellish an otherwise lackluster presentation. It got me an A
but I know now that that move should have been saved for a better time
and place. Somehow, we all still got along.
Remember brothers, it had only been a few months before (December 1,
1969) that the first Selective Service Lottery had been held. Joe Politi
stood on the chapter house stairway, holding his Jersey boom box
overhead as the first numbers were read. I think his was the first or
second birth date called and he slammed the radio to the floor.
My birthday was the 318th one drawn so I happily moved to the line
marked "women and children first". This was a big relief to me since I
had been called three times before (during C.I.A., after graduating from
culinary school and after two years at DU) and each time had to do my
finest Bridgeport Two Step to wriggle out. I don't remember other
people's numbers but that may have been why Wolper, Schroeder, Reade and
Felitti proudly signed up to join Colorado's weekend warriors. Unlike
today's Guardsmen, the 1970 version provided a protective shield from
front line action.
As for the Woodstock West encampment, I do remember Bob Wolper
and Tim Schroeder calling us early one morning to warn that Governor
Love's Home Guard had been ordered to clear the protesters off. In a
flourish of unnecessary drama, the Guard and Denver police actually used
road graders to scrape up the tents and shanties. I seem to remember
trying to wake Dave Improta from a deep, alcohol-induced sleep so he
would not be scraped up with the other debris.
Tim and Bob risked certain Court Martial to warn their brothers that the
Guard had been issued live ammo for the occasion. Sometime earlier that
week, Wolper had also shopped for gas masks at a local surplus store and
passed them around to several of us. It turned out that they were
obsolete WWII models with absolutely no value in the moment but it's the
thought that counts! Geeze, Wolper, you really were not a very good
soldier, were you?
Historical Note 1: Jim Moylan was at the law
school cooking up a legal aid plan in case we were all arrested, but as
far as I know, only one Theta Chi was detained during all of that. It
was Sebastian (Sabu) Mortensen's slow-minded, slow-footed but iconic
house mascot Saint Bernard who had wandered into Chancellor Mitchell's
compound wearing a red anti war kerchief and army boots that someone had
affixed to his big feet. He was sent home without formal charges being
brought.
Historical Note 2: Mom Silver enjoyed
dinner in her apartment that week as she didn't really want to get
involved with all of the comotion.
Salad with light dressing, broiled chicken breast and potatoes au
gratin, as I recall. She loved us all ... unconditionally.
Historical Note 3: Theta Chi innovation won out
in the end. At least one of those full-face gas masks were later put to
excellent use by rigging them to a giant hooka at the Craig Davis house.
Look mom, no hands!
John Lewis
Another side story: I was off to the right of
the photo harassing one of the guardsmen. Reason: He was and still is my
best friend – Jay Larson. He was wearing his short haired wig that we
called “Fifie” and the more I hinted that I would tell the other
guardsmen about his wig, the more visibly upset he got. Jay taught with
me at Loveland and still does with me out of Vail Village. He came to a
few of our parties. My son’s middle name is Jay.
James "JJ" Moylan
Dear Alan,
Thank you for taking the time to make these very thoughtful comments.
Brought back lots of wonderful memories. It was a great time. The
"fourth leg of the stool of fraternity" is: "Life long friendships". We
all grew up together and left indelible marks on each other's souls. No
wonder we can pick up where we leave off without missing a beat.
[March 10, 2011]
Bob "Gumbah" Held
Hey Bro's,
It’s taken a while for the many emails and words of
memories so far ago to trickle down hill all the way to Sydney where we
are exiting our summer and heading into fall. The pix were terrific and
the “find and name that brother” competition fun to observe. I’m not
sure where I was that day (what was the date?), however, I’m sure one or
more of you will come up with some trash describing my “alleged”
whereabouts.
I had to chime in to your missives as people always ask
me what I miss most living so far away from home. In typical fashion I
mention, hot dogs, the Yankees, dripping Katz’ deli pastrami, NY pizza,
but never left out of my “misses” is the fraternal bonding I recall with
so many Gamma Lambda OX-men. I hope to get back later this year for a
visit and plan to catch up with some of the brothers in Denver and East
Coast, but to the others I won’t be able to see, I say, guys, those WERE
some awesome times and great days. I’m proud to be a member of such a
select group, and getting together more often is something I really
miss.
[March 11, 2011]
Dennis Brachfeld
Thanks Alan, Will get the time to view all, but for the the life of me I
can not figure out what's on my head, "Heady" times. Looks like an
Eastern hard hat? Still in Denver.
Alan "Catman" Moll
I think it's the emergency frisbee you always carried.
[March 13, 2011]
James L. Conway
I was asleep in Shantytown when we were woken up and
told the Guard was coming. I escaped to one of the roofs to watch the
show. A truly wonderful moment as we put one over on "The Man".
But I want to say something else about Theta Chi.
When I got to DU in '68 I was pretty much a confused, directionless
kid. I went through Rush Week not knowing what to expect. Met a lot of
nice/cool guys at a lot of the houses, but I didn't feel "at home" until
I got to Theta Chi. I felt an immediate connection with the first
brothers I met -- Bob Wolper and Tim Schroeder. Over the next few days I
met everybody else and had my fingers crossed. But I did not get a bid.
I was brokenhearted. I had bids from a couple of other houses, but they
were the wrong houses, they were not Theta Chi. And that's when I made a
decision that set the course for the rest of my life. I decided not to
take no for an answer. I talked to Bob, told him I wanted to join the
fraternity and asked what I could do to get in. He told me to come by
the house during fall quarter, get to know the guys. Let them get to
know you.
So I did. And come Spring I finally got my dream ... a
secret handshake and a whispered secret word. Moving into the house was
thrilling. I learned how to play bridge -- thank you, Joe. How to put
together a musical -- thank you, Bob and Bill. How to drink -- well, a
lot of you guys get credit for that. Theta Chi changed my life. Hell, it
made my life. Thanks to you guys I found out who I was. I got the
confidence to follow my dream.
Thanks, guys, for everything.
[March 14, 2011]
John A. Crystal, Jr.
Jim,
You were able to put into words what a lot of us felt
about Theta Chi. That was very touching. Thanks for doing that.
Don Skeffington
I accepted my admission to DU without having traveled
west of New York. Having traveled throughout Europe and having lived in
the UK (Isle of Man) for 4 months during high school, it was to be quite
the adventure. Flying from Boston and arriving in Denver with my trunk,
skis, and assorted belongings; it was a long way from home, not knowing
anyone. My Dad encouraged me to go through rush, having been a Theta Chi
at WPI (Epsilon, I believe) he thought that rush would give me the
opportunity to meet up with guys that I could bond with and make
life-long friendships with. I grew up with my Dad’s Frat brothers and
their families, and that lasted his entire life and those family
friendships still continue in my and my sister’s life.
Well, going through rush was quite an experience, but
after going to several other house parties and being rushed by other
houses, I felt like if I didn’t get a bid to pledge Theta Chi there was
no other alternative in the Greek community that I felt like I wanted to
be a member of. I must say that I didn’t look at Theta Chi because of
the legacy, but because of the members and feeling like I fit in. I
never told my Dad about my choice until I was “closed”. Something I will
never forget, and remembering this now and putting it all in perspective
is really overwhelming and emotional.
It was one of those afternoons when rush candidates
were invited to the house, and Randy Tuttle and Bob Held took me aside,
and posed the question, which went something like this: “If we, just the
two of us, had the power to bring you on board as a pledge member, what
is your feeling about joining our house?”
Well, I couldn’t believe it and gave them my answer,
hoping it would reach the rest of the house with acceptance, and then
came the welcome, handshake, and I couldn’t believe it. I moved out of
the dorm ASAP, and the rest is history. I will never, ever, forget my
times at Theta Chi and DU, and this is because of the bond of friends
and meaningfulness of the experience. Pledge week at our house was not a
hell week, like so many other friends were experiencing, it was PIT
(Pledge Intensified Training) week. I remember being sequestered in a
room by myself like all the other pledges, being given a blank pad of
paper and asked to put down my thoughts and understanding of topics
like: “What does brotherhood mean to you?” and “What is trust?” No time
limit had been set for my appearance; I reported to a tribunal when I
was done with my thoughts and was ready to discuss them! Heavy stuff,
but exactly to the point of why we were there, and probably why we
continue to maintain contact even after all these years. I told my
sister of the photo we’ve been talking about and she wanted to see it
to. Having met Al, Chris, Kidder, Meyers, Dudley (where is he?) etc.,
she even feels connected, and shares this with me. Having seen what my
Dad’s bond with his brothers was, she expresses her amazement that we’re
still in contact, even with all the changes time brings! Let’s keep it
up! Life is too short, as we all know, for those brothers that can’t
share their thoughts with us today.
I’ve rambled on too much. God bless, I love you all,
and thanks for the memories!
[April 11, 2011]
James "JJ" Moylan
Sorry for the hiatus in this e-mail
discussion.
Jim Conway, Gumbah, Cat-Man and the others of you who have
commented, I very much appreciate your sharing what Theta Chi means to
you.
I do not know how many people knew I got three bids in the
Fall of 1965: Phi Sigma Delta, Theta Chi and Pi Lamda Phi. Many of you I
am sure also do not know that I originally pledged Phi Sigma Delta, not
knowing in my 17 year old naivete, and having grown up with friends of
all races and religions, that Phi Sig was a "Jewish House". Long story
short, I did not make grades and de-pledged Phi Sig at the start of the
Winter Quarter 1966. Jim Murphy was Rush Chairman and was in the
Business School down-town, like I was. Jim invited me over the Theta Chi
house when he learned I had de-pledged Phi Sig. I felt "at home" at
Theta Chi in the Fall and should have followed my instincts.
Nonetheless, I was still welcomed at Theta Chi in the Winter Quarter.
I told my Father I wanted to join another fraternity, saying:
"This time it will be different." Reluctantly, he approved.
Jim Murphy "closed" me, (indeed, I think we all learned how to
"close" a rushee from Jim, or his "students"), and Jim became my Pledge
Father. Unfortunately, despite my promise to my Father that this time:
"it will be different," I continued doing the same things that lead me
not to make grades,( 2.5), in the Fall Semester. One day, Jim Murphy
took me aside and (this is a story I have told so many times) said: "You
know Jim, everyone here likes you and wants to see you succeed, but the
way you are going you are going to flunk out of here and end up in Viet
Nam. Let me give you some advice; Study Sunday evening through Thursday
evening, confine your partying to Friday and Saturday and you will be
able to make this last for 4 years."
My response, "I could make this last for 4 years? Wow! I want
to and can do that!" And, so I did.
I always marvel at the fact that Jim, who was probably 21
years old at the time and I was 18, had the maturity to turn me around
in such a positive fashion and change my life forever. I will always be
deeply indebted to "Murph" and he knows it and I hope I did not
embarrass him buy telling this story again. There are countless stories
like the ones that make up this e-mail, not only within our own Chapter,
but throughout the National Fraternity and the entire Greek system. I
have the opportunity to hear the stories in the capacities I have served
in the National Fraternity and in the Greek system. So many call it the:
"The Unrepayable Debt."
Frankly, Brothers, this is why I have put so much time into
Theta Chi, not only with our Chapter but with the National Fraternity
and Greek system as well. I would not be where I am today without Theta
Chi and you guys, my Chapter Brothers who influenced me and encouraged
me in so many positive ways. I want the younger generations to
experience what I experienced and how my life has been changed for the:
"Better Because of Theta Chi."
Page last updated April 12, 2011
