SOBA AMERICA’S LAST RESPECT TO THE FALLEN

SOBA America has diligently cultivated and enriched the tradition of honoring the departed. From June 2019, as part of the condolence gesture extended to grieving Soban families, SOBA America introduced the SOBA America Memorial Shield and a SOBA America Casket Flag. These items, adorned with the fallen Soban's admission number, class, local chapter, dormitory, and sometimes their nicknames, serve as poignant tributes. During funeral services, the flag is gracefully draped over the closed casket, while the shield is respectfully displayed in front of it, symbolizing the enduring bond and remembrance within the Soban community.

As tears continue to drop on the closed casket at the graveside, the memorial shield is reverently presented to the family of the departed. Following this solemn moment, the casket flag is ceremoniously folded by pallbearers, typically comprising the fallen Soban's classmates. The folded flag is then cased, sealed in a shadow box, and passed to the President of SOBA America (POSA), who extends heartfelt condolences on behalf of all Sobans to the grieving Sobanese and family. Throughout these rituals, the college anthem plays softly, underscoring the somber yet dignified atmosphere of the occasion.

This cherished tradition has been shared with our brethren in SOBA UK, SOBA EU, and SOBA Cameroon, fostering unity across borders. Its value is immeasurable, reflecting our commitment to honoring our fallen members. Without any reserved copyrights, sister organizations have embraced this practice, replicating it to pay tribute to their own departed members.

The friendship groove shared will never be more than a memory away. Continue to rest well gentle Sobans.

Sobanly,
Czar Philbert Mac Etchu
Vice President, SOBA Dallas
p.macetchu@sobadallas.org