Brothers and friends,

Kindness is an act we all appreciate � it is also contagious. If there was ever a time in our recent history for the necessity of mutual displays of kindness, this is certainly one, due to all of the agonies of the world's political and financial situations.

Your Grand ProConsul Wayne Tucker, Baylor 1985, and I are the constant beneficiaries of kindnesses from our brothers and chapters as we visit them. Offers to stay at homes, to transport us back and forth to airports, and the many, many meals we receive are all much appreciated. Brothers from the Delta Xi Chapter at San Diego State recently went out of their way to accommodate me with a homemade personalized welcome sign, and showed in numbers despite the start of their exam period.

During my tenure as your Grand Consul, I have had and continue to enjoy the unique opportunity to observe many other acts of kindness by Sigma Chis.

John Molina and Ed Cheung, both Brown 2008, are engaged in a community and health-improvement project in the Dominican Republic that they created, manage, and for which they sacrifice vacations, Spring Breaks, and holidays.

Sigs John Gagne, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical 2008, and Aaron Smith, Wake Forest 2007, bicycled across the United States in 42 days over the summer of 2007 to raise more than $20,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Institute (one of our principal Sigma Chi philanthropies). The HCI itself offers a huge kindness to those in need of its services; conceived and initially financed by Sig Jon Huntsman, Pennsylvania 1959.

Sigs at our Delta Epsilon Chapter at North Carolina State traditionally spend a day each Christmas season at the Frankie Lemmon Center for developmentally challenged children in Raleigh, warming their own hearts as much as they warm those of the children. These brothers join many hundreds if not thousands of Sigs who volunteer for charitable organizations all year long, but especially during this season.

In addition to these kindnesses, we so very much appreciate the sacrifices our servicemen and women make in the defense of our freedoms. On a recent airplane trip I was automatically upgraded to first class due to my frequent flier status. After taking my seat I noticed a number of military personnel boarding and thought to myself, "Why am I sitting in this seat when those guys have done so much for me?" I asked the attendant if I could offer my seat to a soldier, and she was happy to help.

Shortly, I thanked a grateful soldier for his sacrifices on our behalf and we traded seats. Within three or four minutes a fellow first-class traveler who had been seated beside me followed the lead and came back to the rear cabin. Miraculously, within 10 minutes, the entire first class section of 12 seats was full of soldiers! Sometimes it only takes a nudge. The attendant later came back to tell me that the first soldier was coming back home to see a daughter he had never held in his arms and another was getting married the very next day. I'll likely never see those men again, but they may remember that plane ride � I certainly will!

As our extended families join together this Christmas season, let us each remember that those little acts of spontaneous kindness go a long way toward making the lives of others happier, more comfortable, or simply more bearable in times of stress.

Our Quest � to take the lead in showing kindness to others.

Sigma Chi extends its best wishes to each of you and your family and friends during the holiday season!