Alpha Phi Omega fraternity at Illinois State University walking with the victory bell in a parade, 1969.

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Lining the street, dispersed, are people of all ages.  Some are pointing enthusiastically others simply standing and watching, they are dressed for the cold in winter coats and some women with scarfs on their hair.  In the distance you can see one of the dorm buildings with many windows.  Two other buildings are seen with many windows as well.  The trees are all different; some with leaves others with needles.  Some of the trees have more leaves than others, however not many leaves are seen on the lawn.  The lawn spans a great distance from the street to the fence around the dorm building.  Standing in the lawn is a couple, keeping their distance from the parade but close enough to still watch the festivities. 

Walking down a cement-paved street nine men all dressed similarly nice shiny shoes, black pants, white button down shirts with a tie, some in vest some not.  Two men lead the troupe holding a banner reading “Alpha Phi Omega” and underneath that reads “National Service Fraternity.”  It is written an elaborate lettering one a simple one color banner with a thin border.  One man is African-American and is talking to the other man with him.  The other man is laughing in carefree manner in his short sleeve shirt.  Behind them are two men pulling the bell.  The both of them in vests and the taller of the twos head is faintly thrown back in laughter from something they both found amusing. They laugh; laughter shared between friends or even better yet brothers.  Holding the bell, are four men all wearing vests.  On the arm of two of the men is an armband.  Each of them seems to be doing their own thing and not interacting with each other.  One of them notices he is being photographed but not in time to react.  The two guys in the front holding the bell both are wearing glasses in the same style.  A single man in a full suit stands on the wagon holding the bell. 

The wagon is around four feet long with four wheels.  The wheels have 12 spokes on them.  On the wagon are two metal half circles starting at the back and going to the front connected by a bar in the front.  Between the half circles is a fifth wheel with only four spoke and the bell attached on the other side. 

-- Colleen McGarry