This electronic version of the SCOTTISH RITE JOURNAL may be
distributed freely in this current unmodified form only. All
articles and materials are copyright 1995 and the property of The
Supreme Council, 33, S.J., USA. Permission to reprint articles
appearing in the JOURNAL will be granted upon written request
from recognized Masonic publications. Other written requests are
also welcome. Send requests to: Managing Editor, SCOTTISH RITE
JOURNAL, 1733 16 - Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20009-3199 Fax
202-387-1843.
The views expressed in THE SCOTTISH RITE JOURNAL do not
necessarily reflect those of The Supreme Council or its officers.
Contents
The U.S. Coast Guard, Always Ready
C. Fred Kleinknecht
A Day In The Life of JIATF East
RADM J. David Spade, USCG
Happy Birthday U.S. Coast Guard
Ray L. Bunnell
Innovation Is Not A Four-Letter Word
James R. Davis
Protecting Our Nation's Flag
C.W. Bill Young
The Prestige Of A Nation
Bobby J. Demott
A Life of L.D., Learning Disability
Starr Wiebe
Masonic Peace Academy Inaugurated In Argentina
Richard A. Gilman
Current Interest
In Memorium - Illustrious Abner Vernon McCall, Grand Cross
Preserving Historic Lodge Halls and Temples
Gary T. Scott
Where Do You Do Your Shopping?
Thomas M. Boles
Victory-WWII. A Personal Essay by the Artist of the Painting
John D. Melius
Masonic Visitations In Europe
Robert W. Woodward
"Fitness," A Necessary Requirement Of The True Freemason
Julian H. Cambridge
Book Reviews: Just A Little More Detail, Please
Dr. S. Brent Morris
The U.S. Coast Guard, Always Ready
C. Fred Kleinknecht
Established in 1790 as the Revenue Cutter Service to collect
import taxes on goods coming into the new United States of
America, the Coast Guard has evolved into a multi-mission
organization providing the American taxpayers with probably the
best bang for the buck of any other governmental institution or
organization.
Not only is the Coast Guard there as a military service, they
also provide peacetime services. Everyday Coast Guard men and
women enforce our laws, make our ports safe, protect our
environment, and see to our national security. In fact, some say
that for every tax dollar the Coast Guard spends, the public gets
back four dollars in services, environmental quality, and
property saved.
This year, as the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the
end of World War II, we are reminded of the proud tradition the
Coast Guard holds as a military service. From Normandy to
Guadalcanal, the Coast Guard participated in every major
amphibious landing. Sailing into harm's way, the Coast Guard
operated ships of all sizes, from the largest troop transports to
the smallest landing craft.
It was at Guadalcanal that Coast Guard Petty Officer Douglas
Munro gave his life diverting withering enemy fire with only the
light weapons on his landing craft, so that a group of 500
Marines_along with all their wounded_could be evacuated from a
war-torn beach. The Medal of Honor was presented to Douglas Munro
posthumously.
The Coast Guard continues the military tradition exemplified by
Petty Officer Munro. During Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Coast
Guard men and women here in the United States ensured that ships
with vital equipment and supplies were loaded safely. Coast Guard
Port Security Units were at the other end of the supply line in
Saudi Arabia making sure the harbors were safe and secure so that
cargo could get to our troops. During Uphold Democracy in Haiti
last year, it was a Coast Guard cutter that led United States
forces into Port au Prince harbor.
Uphold Democracy was just one event in many for the Coast
Guard. Last summer, the Coast Guard rescued over 56,000 Haitian
and Cuban boat people from their leaky, unsafe boats and rafts.
The Coast Guard also responded to devastating floods, fires, and
pollution in Houston, Texas. Quick action by the Coast Guard
averted an environmental nightmare in Puerto Rico when an oil
barge ran aground threatening tourist beaches. In addition, an
unusually severe winter had Coast Guard cutters busy breaking ice
on the Great Lakes and the rivers of the Northwest.
These Lifesavers and Guardians of the Seas have a proud
tradition. To continue the Coast Guard as the world's best
maritime service, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral
Robert Kramek, has set out his vision and goals to take the Coast
Guard into the 21st century. Central to this vision are the
values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. According to
Admiral Kramek, these values are essential to day-to-day life.
People get into trouble when they loss sight of any one of these
values, values that everyone, not just the military, should be
committed to.
Today, as you read the Scottish Rite Journal, the men and women
of the Coast Guard are out serving us. They will be on ships and
boats, in the air on helicopters and planes, and keeping watch
along our shorelines.
The United States Coast Guard-Semper Paratus, Always Ready.
A Day In The Life of JIATF East
RADM J. David Spade, USCG
It was a hot and muggy morning in May in Key West, Florida.
Coast Guard Rear Admiral Dave Spade was sitting at his desk at
the Joint Interagency Task Force East (JIATF East) Headquarters,
and was glad that he was inside in the air conditioning. In an
office nearby, Navy Rear Admiral Andy Granuzzo had just finished
reviewing his daily message traffic on the computer terminal
behind his desk. RADM Granuzzo is Director of JIATF East and
Commander of its major component, Joint Task Force Four. Their
mission: detecting and monitoring of narcotics smuggling en route
to the United States from South America and other areas in the
Caribbean. RADM Granuzzo had just returned from a meeting in
Curacao where he had been discussing international cooperation in
the fight against narcotics trafficking. He wanted to brief his
three Vice Directors on the meeting, so he called for RADM Spade
to join him along with the JIATF East Chief of Staff, Air Force
Col. Chuck Kasbeer (who also serves as Vice Director for
Administration), and George Kontrabecki (U.S. Customs Service),
the Vice Director for Plans. Admiral Granuzzo was excited. The
meeting in Curacao had been very productive. The French, Dutch,
British, and Venezuelans had all attended and had reached
agreement on several ways to better coordinate their forces in
the Caribbean to fight the Cali Mafia, a $100-billion worldwide
criminal organization.
This progress fit right in with the Caribbean Basin Initiative
that Admiral Granuzzo had been helping to develop for his boss,
Marine Corps General Jack Sheehan, Commander, United States
Atlantic Command (USACOM) in Norfolk, Virginia.
It also went hand-in-glove with the international initiatives
in the Caribbean that were being pursued by the U.S. Coast Guard
under the guidance of Coast Guard Vice Admiral Jim Loy,
Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area on Governors Island, New
York.
Admiral Granuzzo quickly finished his summary of the meetings
in Curacao and the results of his visit to Venezuela. Then he
passed on instructions and tasks for the staff to accomplish for
the rest of the week while he was out of town on temporary duty.
This was one of the disadvantages of his job at JIATF East:
travel, meetings, and more travel. But, he had confidence in his
staff of more than 150. They were all good people. He had men and
women representing all five of the U.S. Armed Services, plus
representatives from the U.S. Customs Service, the Drug
Enforcement Agency (DEA), the National Security Agency (NSA), and
the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
After the meeting, RADM Spade returned to his office to
continue reviewing the morning messages. At 0845 he left for the
morning intelligence briefing. As the Vice Director for
Operations and Intelligence, one of his major responsibilities is
to help coordinate the intelligence support that JIATF East
receives. This job was considerably eased because Navy Captain
Ron Wilcox, the Director for Intelligence (J-2), was a seasoned
veteran and had a well-trained staff of military and civilian
intelligence analysts to support him.
They also had access, by computer terminal, to very highly
classified intelligence data from the Department of Defense and
NSA. Additionally, JIATF East was part of the Anti-Drug Network
(ADNET) which connected law enforcement agencies throughout the
United States and around the world on a computerized network to
share intelligence on drug smuggling.
Following the intelligence briefing, all the JIATF East key
personnel gathered at 0900 in the Joint Operations Command Center
(JOCC) for the morning operations meeting. This was a
comprehensive briefing that merged intelligence and tactical
information to permit Admiral Granuzzo to get a visual picture of
what was going on in the Caribbean.
The information was displayed on a large screen and showed a
map of the Caribbean and surrounding areas from the north coast
of South America to the southern portion of the United States.
The display showed the locations of Navy ships, Coast Guard
cutters, and foreign naval vessels that were available to fight
the drug war. Also shown were the search locations for the planes
that would patrol that day searching for drug smuggling boats and
aircraft. Navy Lieutenant Mark Lacy was the Ops briefer, and Air
Force Captain Angela Dixon, the Intelligence Watch Officer (IWO),
handled the Intell side of the brief.
The first case briefed was the result of the previous day's
surveillance of a French-registered sailboat east of Martinique.
The USS Flatley, a fast frigate, had been closely shadowing the
sailboat for several days seeking permission of the French
government to board to search for violation of French law.
JIATF East had received intelligence reports that the sailboat
had picked up cocaine from an airdrop south of Barbados several
days before, and the master of the sailboat was unable to provide
a very convincing story of what he was doing and where he was
going.
Because of the long holiday weekend in France, the U.S. State
Department representatives had had a tough time getting hold of
the French officials who could grant permission to board.
Finally, the answer had come just before midnight on Sunday, and
it was disappointing. The French did not feel there was
sufficient probable cause to board.
The Flatley's crew members were all disappointed because they
"knew" that they had a druggie, and now they were not going to be
able to make the seizure. However, just as the Flatley began to
pull away, the sailboat burst into flames. The Flatley proceeded
at best speed to assist and found the two sailboat crew members
safe in a small boat.
They had their money, insurance papers, passports, and a few
important belongings with them, all sealed in waterproof
wrappings. Apparently, they were able to gather these things very
quickly after the boat caught fire. They explained that they had
been cooking fish and that the grease had caught on fire. What
they didn't explain is why they were doing this at midnight. In
any case, the sailboat very quickly burned to the water line and
sank along with all its cargo.
So, no seizure was made, but based on the good intelligence
available, JIATF East was able to count this case as a
"disruption." Although no arrests were made, the drugs were not
delivered; hence, a partial success.
Captain Dixon then briefed a surface case that intelligence
predicted was underway in the Eastern Caribbean. A confidential
informant had advised that a "go fast" boat had left from the
north coast of Colombia and was en route to rendezvous with a
resupply boat near the Colombian island of San Andres. The "go
fast" was then expected to travel to the Yucatan Peninsula in
Mexico to offload its drugs for further transfer via Mexico to
the SW border of the United States. Based on this intelligence,
Navy Captain Larry Francisco, the Director for Operations (J-3),
had directed the Command Duty Officer (CDO), Marine Corps Major
Junior Ortiz, to dispatch a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft to
search in the area where the "go fast" was expected to be.
Major Ortiz had also directed the IWO to send out a message to
the ships in Task Group 4.1 telling them of the intelligence
about the "go fast." Lieutenant Lacy pointed out the P-3's search
area on the map.
Next, Captain Dixon described two expected air cases for the
day. The first was an event which she had first briefed on Friday
concerning an aircraft that was expected to leave Colombia, fly
across Venezuela, and then head north for an air drop of cocaine
near St. Martin. She reported that the air drop was expected
Monday night.
The E-2 Hawkeye aircraft at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, were
scheduled to be flying in the area at the expected time of the
drop so no change was needed to prepare for that air event. The
CDO had already alerted the Coast Guard Greater Antilles Section
(GANTSEC) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, about the expected air drop.
The GANTSEC duty officer told the CDO that he would alert both
French and Dutch law enforcement authorities to be on the lookout
for the "go fast" vessels that were to pick up the cocaine from
the airdrop.
The second air case concerned a twin-engine Cessna airplane
that was expected to leave the north coast of Colombia, fly north
near Jamaica, then fly over Cuba to an airdrop somewhere in the
Bahamas. This case created some discussion.
RADM Spade asked Captain Francisco whether a USCS P-3 Airborne
Early Warning (AEW) aircraft could be repositioned in time to
respond to the event. George Kontrabecki offered to check with
the Customs National Aviation Center (CNAC) in Oklahoma City to
see if the aircraft could be moved.
As a backup, it was decided to prepare to move one of the Navy
E-2 aircraft from Roosevelt Roads to Key West to be able to
respond to the event. The CDO reported that he had already
discussed the case with the Seventh Coast Guard District (CCGD7)
command center in Miami and that they had asked Coast Guard Group
Key West to move a 110-foot Coast Guard cutter to be in position
to respond to the airdrop.
The Customs agent assigned to JIATF East reported that he was
coordinating with Customs agents in the Florida Keys to watch for
suspect "go fasts" leaving the Keys that day.
The U.S. law enforcement team was ready; now all they could do
was wait. One thing all those present at the Ops Brief knew was
that the druggies were in control of the timelines for events and
that cases seldom went off at the time originally predicted. This
was one of the most frustrating things for the military officers
to bear because they were used to things happening on schedule.
After the Ops Brief had concluded, the JIATF staff went about
their business. RADM Granuzzo hurried back to his office to
finish some last-minute paperwork before his departure on
Temporary Additional Duty (TAD). RADM Spade returned to his
office to face the in box that was bulging with three day's worth
of work that had come in the previous week when he had been TAD
at the USACOM quarterly planning conference (QPC) for
counternarcotics which had been held at NORAD headquarters in
Colorado Springs, CO.
That conference had gone well and had given the various players
in the counternarcotics arena a chance to discuss current
intelligence trends and new tactics which were being developed in
response to changes in drug smuggling patterns.
Before he had time to reach for his in box, the phone rang. It
was Coast Guard Captain Jim Hull calling from Coast Guard
Headquarters. Jim is the Executive Director for the United States
Interdiction Coordinator (USIC). The USIC responsibility is
currently assigned to the Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Bob
Kramek.
In addition to reporting to the Secretary of Transportation as
Commandant, Admiral Kramek, in his hat as the USIC, reports
directly to the "drug czar," Dr. Lee Brown of the Office of
National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Captain Hull was calling to
get some data on launch criteria used by JIATF East to determine
when to launch interceptor aircraft after the detection of
suspect air tracks. He needed these data to respond to questions
asked by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Brian Sheridan.
Admiral Spade knew Captain Hull well because they had worked
together before in the Budget Division at Coast Guard
Headquarters.
He knew that Capt. Hull was a "doer" and would aggressively
work on any problems that came his way. In a way, he was sorry
that Capt. Hull's tour on the USIC staff was soon coming to an
end, but was cheered by the fact that Capt. Hull's next
assignment would be as CCGD7 Chief of Operations, a job that had
frequent contact with the JIATF East staff.
Admiral Spade quickly gave his impressions of last week's QPC
and discussed the suggestion that had been made at the conference
to have a drug "war game" in which some U.S. intelligence
analysts would "play" as the Cali Mafia to attempt to defeat the
new U.S. law enforcement techniques. He also told Capt. Hull that
Captain Francisco would provide the requested aircraft launch
criteria.
At this point Admiral Spade was interrupted by an incoming call
from the CDO who was reporting that the Aegis Cruiser Yorktown
was shifting tactical control (TACON) from Task Group 4.1 to
CCGD7 in order to do a boarding of a U.S. sailboat. This TACON
shift was necessary, even though RADM Spade (Commander, Task
Group 4.1) is a Coast Guard Admiral, because his boss (RADM
Granuzzo, Commander, Task Force Four) is a Department of Defense
(DOD) officer in a DOD chain of command. The Department of
Defense is forbidden by Posse Comitatus laws from conducting law
enforcement operations. It is necessary to have a ship doing a
boarding to be under Coast Guard TACON because the United States
Coast Guard (although one of the five U.S. Armed Forces at all
times) has specific law enforcement authority under the
provisions of 14 U.S. Code 89.
Additionally, the personnel from Yorktown doing the boarding
would all be U.S. Coast Guard personnel aboard as a Law
Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) for that specific purpose.
As soon as he hung up from the CDO's call, RADM Spade hustled
up to the 1100 intentions meeting. This is a daily meeting held
by the J-3 to coordinate the operations of the ships and aircraft
under TG 4.1 TACON.
The level of forces in TG 4.1 is classified, but consists of
U.S. Navy ships (all with LEDETS aboard), Maritime Sealift
Command (MSC) TAGOS radar vessels, U.S. Coast Guard cutters,
Dutch Frigates, British Navy vessels, Air Force AWACS aircraft,
U. S. Navy and Dutch P-3 aircraft, U.S. Navy E-2 AEW aircraft,
USCCS P-3 AEW aircraft, and U.S. Air Force F-16 fighters.
Also, air radar surveillance is provided by a network of radar
sites and the Relocatable Over the Horizon Radar (ROTHR) system.
ROTHR is a long-range radar which bounces energy off the
ionosphere. It is a relatively new system and is becoming more
and more useful as improvements to the system come on line. As
usual, the intentions meeting ran like clockwork because Captain
Francisco always has things well in hand.
Back to the office again for Admiral Spade who wolfed down a
quick sandwich at his desk while he screened the morning message
traffic on his computer. By this time, RADM Granuzzo had departed
on TAD and RADM Spade was acting in his place. But, really, not
much was different, for the operations of JIATF East were
relatively routine, and the staff knew that the policies and
procedures would remain unchanged. A call back from the CDO
advised RADM Spade that the USS Yorktown had shifted TACON back
to TG 4.1 after completing the boarding of the sailboat, finding
everything in order and no contraband on board. The remainder of
the afternoon was spent on the successful mission of emptying the
in box.
Before departing for the day, RADM Spade made a quick trip to
the JOCC to check the current status of operations. The CDO was
now Air Force Major Rick Montanez, and he was training a new CDO,
Army Captain Scott Soracco. Captain Soracco reported that ROTHR
had just acquired an air track headed north from Venezuela.
This case looked like it might be one of the two air events
that Captain Dixon had briefed earlier that day.
The E-2 was already in the air and in position to make radar
contact, and the CDO had already alerted GANTSEC of the air
contact. Finding things well under control, as usual, RADM Spade
left for home, just ahead of the Key West thunderstorm that was
fast approaching. At 1830 Monday evening, Captain Soracco called
RADM Spade to make the daily evening report. Admiral Spade
switched to his secure phone so that he could get an update on
the air track. The E-2 had acquired the contact and detected no
IFF code.
Because the aircraft was not squawking an appropriate IFF code,
the aircraft had been designated as suspect, and Captain Soracco
had called for the launch of the two alert F-16 fighters from
Puerto Rico. They were now en route to intercept and perform a
type identification. The fighters would attempt to remain
undetected by the suspect.
At 2000, Captain Soracco called again to report that a Customs
CHET aircraft (High Endurance Tracker) from Puerto Rico had
relieved the fighters of covert surveillance of the suspect and
that the CHET had observed the suspect drop 12 bales into the
water. Two "go fasts" had picked up the bales and were being
chased by CGC Monhegan (a 110-foot cutter) and USS Yorktown and
its embarked HH-60 helicopter. At 2300, the new CDO, Coast Guard
Lieutenant Andrew Daly, called with good news. The Monhegan had
intercepted one "go fast." It had no contraband on board, but
the CHET had recorded video on its Forward Looking Infrared Radar
(FLIR) of the "go fast" dumping bales overboard, and the Monhegan
had been able to retrieve two bales from the water. They had
tested positive for cocaine. The Monhegan had seized the boat and
arrested the two people on board.
Additionally, the Yorktown, with the assistance of its
helicopter, had stopped the second "go fast." It, too, had no
contraband on board, but the Yorktown's helicopter had observed
the crew of the "go fast" throwing bales overboard and had marked
the position with a sonar buoy which enabled the Yorktown to
retrieve three bales that tested positive for cocaine. The
Yorktown's LEDET had boarded the "go fast," arrested the two
people on board, and seized the boat.
Even Admiral Spade was excited. Excellent teamwork had resulted
in two seized boats, four arrests, and more than 200 kilos of
cocaine seized. And, there was probably another 300 kilos of
cocaine floating in the water, based on the report of 12 bales
dropped from the aircraft. Tomorrow morning during daylight, a
search would be made for the other seven bales.
After Admiral Spade answered the numerous questions from his
son about the case (at least so far as he could in unclassified
form) and assured his wife that there would probably be no more
calls that evening, he settled down for the night with a
contented smile on his face.
It would be a good brief in the morning!
Happy Birthday U.S. Coast Guard
Ray L. Bunnell
August will mark the 205th birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard came into being in 1790 (though it was not always
known as the Coast Guard) and is probably the least hailed of the
United States five armed services. The Coast Guard is an Agency
of the Department of Transportation but still maintains a
constant readiness of the U.S. Coast Guard operating units with
the capability necessary to function as an armed naval force.
The Coast Guard has participated in all major national
conflicts, earning 33 campaign and battle streamers since 1790.
During any period of hostility, the Coast Guard conducts port
security duties and U.S. coastal defensive operations within 200
miles offshore. Today the Coast Guard regularly participates in
the Navguard Board which coordinates the Coast Guard and Navy
policy in areas of mutual interest.
But those who know the Coast Guard, know how important the
Coast Guard can be when you are lost at sea or involved in a
marine accident. These two roles were the main duties of the
Coast Guard for many years and the foundation for the Coast
Guard's place in history.
Like everything else, the Coast Guard has changed. The Exxon
Valdez incident caused a lot of re-thinking about environment
issues and oil pollution. The Congress of the United States gave
the Coast Guard new direction and responsibilities. As a result,
the Coast Guard's role in environment issues, particularly oil
pollution, expanded greatly. Today the United States Coast Guard
is a world leader in the prevention of oil pollution and
environmental impacts.
The Coast Guard now has four primary missions: Maritime Law
Enforcement, Maritime Safety, Environmental Protection, and
National Security. Few know that the Coast Guard has the
responsibility of issuing new, renewed, and upgraded licenses for
officers and merchant mariner's documents for all ocean-going
mariners of the maritime service.
In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard provides weather and
oceanographic services for federal agencies, operates ice patrols
to chart iceberg movements into shipping lanes, provides port
safety, and assures security for waterways and waterfront
operations.
Also, the Coast Guard is noted for its marine inspections and
concern for passenger and crew safety. They provide safe and
efficient passage of marine and air traffic by providing
continuous and accurate all-weather radio navigation service.
They maintain short- and long-range aids to navigation such as
lighthouses and buoys. There are 50,600 federal and 48,000
private aids to navigation. All this, while still performing the
traditional missions of search and rescue on U.S. navigable
waterways and oceans.
In an age of declining federal budgets and the need to reduce
federal and military employees, the U.S. Coast Guard continues to
meet and exceed its mission goals. %GMK%In spite of the threat of
reduced resources and manpower, the dedicated men and women of
the Coast Guard on a daily basis continue to improve the
conditions of the maritime world and, in many cases, to risk
their lives to save others.
On November 1994, the Secretary of Transportation, Federico
Pena, awarded the Department of Transportation's highest award,
the Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement, to the U.S. Coast
Guard. The citation that accompanied the award read, "For
exemplary service to the nation from October 1993 to 30 September
1994. During this period, the Coast Guard truly lived up to its
motto: 'Semper Paratus. . . .Always Ready.'
The Coast Guard saved the lives of thousands of mariners in
peril on the high seas including the rescue of 56,000 Haitian and
Cuban boat people during the tumultuous summer of 1994. During
the simultaneous operations of Able Manner, Able Vigil and
Support Democracy, the responsiveness of the Coast Guard provided
the opportunity for the administration to implement an effective
national security policy.
The Coast Guard took bold and effective action to cope with
environmental disasters such as devastating floods, fires and
pollution in Houston, Texas, and the grounding of the Morris J.
Berman, which threatened massive oil pollution to the beaches of
Puerto Rico.
During 1993-94, one of the most severe winters in decades, the
Coast Guard facilitated the uninterrupted flow of commerce
through unprecedented ice conditions in the Great Lakes and
Northeast. The Coast Guard further distinguished itself when the
CGC Polar Sea became the first U.S. surface vessel to reach the
North Pole, while collecting invaluable scientific data.
Throughout one of the most demanding years in the history of
the Coast Guard, this unique and vital organization maintained an
extraordinary, measure of responsiveness, professionalism, and
service to the American public. The outstanding devotion to duty
displayed by Coast Guard men and women is heartily commended and
is in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Coast Guard
and the Department of Transportation."
This overview of one year in the life of the U.S. Coast Guard
is enough to make anyone proud of what this great service stands
for, and is doing. So during this month of August, take time out
of your busy schedule and join me in wishing the U.S. Coast Guard
a very happy birthday and continued success!
Innovation Is Not A Four-Letter Word
James R. Davis
When a Mason is installed as Worshipful Master of his Blue
Lodge, he freely assents to support the Ancient Landmarks and
Charges of Freemasonry. Among these is the statement that it is
not within the power of any man or group of men to make
innovations in the body of Masonry.
Innovation is defined as the act of beginning, of introducing
something new, of being creative. Creating unconventional
interpretations of our basic teachings is clearly not the intent
of these Ancient Landmarks. Innovation in other areas of Lodge
activities, however, is certainly not forbidden.
Too often phrases such as "We've never done it that way before"
or "We don't do that in this Lodge" are thrown at the man who has
proposed something novel to the Craft. The incoming Master, in
order not to "make waves," often takes the Lodge calendar from
previous years and makes a carbon copy for his year, merely
adjusting the specific dates so events fall on the proper nights.
Yet, just because "We've never done it that way before" doesn't
necessarily mean the proposed program is doomed to fail!
All our Masonic Bodies, when viewed in a business sense, are
unique in the "product" promoted and promulgated, and the basic
rules of sound business practice can be used without violating
any area of Masonic law, protocol, or principle. Many articles
have been written about the presentation of our "product" to the
public and about how or to whom our efforts should be directed.
The ideas I propose here are certainly not new; they just seem
to have been forgotten or misplaced. Promote. Plan. Produce.
These words sound like parts of an ad campaign for a new
television series. But they will work for all your events, social
or fraternal.
Promote, promote, promote! Three lines in your trestleboard the
month of the event hardly qualify as promotion. We certainly know
when McDonald's is introducing something new to its menu. Every
possible media is used to communicate the message, from newspaper
and magazine ads to television spots and highway billboards. The
same approach on a smaller scale can be used quite nicely in
Freemasonry. How about a flyer on bright paper, not white? If
possible, your notice should go in the trestleboard at least the
month before the event, for sure the month of it.
If you know someone artistically inclined, ask him or her to
design a flyer from scratch_and give imagination room! Or just
look in the yellow pages! There are all kinds of artwork used in
the ads. They can easily be adapted to fit your needs. Just use a
little imagination, a pair of scissors, and some tape_you'll be
pleasantly surprised at what you can produce. Who knows? You may
be starting a brand new tradition!
Careful, complete planning and an innovative (there's that word
again) promotion may not necessarily produce an event which will
bring rave reviews from everyone. But it will, almost surely,
produce a well-attended evening that everyone will remember, and
by the influence of word of mouth, it will make the year
following even better!
Innovation in the proper areas of our Fraternity over the next
few years is going to be the key in keeping the Craft strong and
viable. "We've never done it that way before" is the type of
thinking that will keep us from growth and may well hasten our
decline, even our demise. Let your imagination run free. Above
all, don't be afraid to be innovative. Trust me, you won't be
using a four-letter word!
Protecting Our Nation's Flag
C.W. Bill Young
Dear Mr. Kleinknecht:
Knowing of our mutual concern about protecting our nation's
flag, you will be pleased to know that I am once again an
original introducer of a Constitutional amendment declaring that
Congress and the states shall have the right to prohibit the
physical desecration of the American flag.
Enclosed are my remarks in the House upon the introduction of
our legislation, which has been referred to the House Judiciary
Committee for hearings and consideration later this year. You can
be sure that I will continue to closely monitor the progress of
this legislation and that I will keep you apprised of any new
developments.
I greatly appreciate knowing of your support for my efforts on
this matter of mutual concern, and with best wishes and personal
regards, I am,
Very truly yours,
C. W. Bill Young
Member of Congress
Mr. Speaker, because of my longstanding support to affirm the
right of state legislatures and the United States Congress to
protect the American flag, I am proud to once again be an
original introducer today of a Constitutional amendment
declaring that Congress and the states shall have the power to
prohibit the act of physical desecration of the American flag.
This is not the first time the House will consider this
resolution. As my colleagues may recall, on June 21, 1990, the
House fell just 34 votes short of the two-thirds vote required to
approve this Constitutional amendment. Since that time, 44 states
have passed resolutions calling on Congress to give them the
opportunity to ratify an amendment to the Constitution protecting
the flag"six more than the 38 states needed for ratification.
Mr. Speaker, it is only fitting that on the 50th anniversary of
the historic flag-raising atop Iwo Jima's Mt. Suribachi, that we
reintroduce this amendment to protect our flag from desecration.
On this occasion we remember the 75,000 marines who fought for 36
days in one of the most grueling battles of World War II, a time
when uncommon valor was a common virtue. We honor the nearly
7,000 men who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country
during the fight for the island, and the countless others wounded
in this campaign.
In memory of those who fought that battle, we have erected the
U.S. Marines Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, where the
moving recreation of that famous flag-raising stands with the
glorious stars and stripes atop the flagpole. It stands as a
memorial not only to the Americans who served so bravely in that
battle, but for all Americans who marched in battle behind the
Stars and Stripes to restore freedom and protect the ideals which
our great flag symbolizes.
Few things dishonor their memory more than acts of desecration
of the American flag.
Our flag waves across the United States as a symbol of freedom
and democracy and as a constant reminder of those who paid the
ultimate price in service to their country. Casting contempt on
the flag is the same, in my view, as casting contempt upon our
Constitution and all the values of our great nation for which it
stands"liberty, equality, and justice for all. On battlefields
throughout our nation's history, many lives have been lost and
much pain and suffering endured by those committed to the defence
of these values.
To desecrate the flag is to cast contempt upon these brave men
and women who carried our flag into battle with them, soldiers
who have fought so bravely and offered their lives to protect the
freedoms which we enjoy today and the promise of a free future
for our children.
The United States stands as an example of freedom and justice
for all to follow. The American flag remains a symbol throughout
the world of that freedom and justice. It has inspired ordinary
Americans to make extraordinary sacrifice, and it should be
respected and protected always. I urge my colleagues to join me
in cosponsoring and supporting this amendment.
The Prestige Of A Nation
Bobby J. Demott
Military victories frequently add to the prestige of nations,
but other factors also are contributory. Colonization, at least
initially, can bring respect. Great Britain, for instance, once
had an empire on which the sun never set. Britannia, with fleets
twice as large as any other nation in the 1880-1914 era, ruled
the oceans and thus gained a place of distinction.1
The nature and manner of government of the United States of
America attracted the attention of the nations of the world in
the early 1800s. Though not universally accepted as such, the
mark of our nation's distinction was a new concept of self-rule,
not merely a European system in a new package. Alex de
Tocqueville visited this country in 1831-1832, then returned to
France to write his famous books Democracy in America. These
scholarly works explained the mechanisms of the government and
gave a report as to how well it was working. America gained its
prestige on an idea which was successful. The thought of America
as a democracy may have originated with de Tocqueville. Our
Constitution does not use the word.
In a physical as well as political sense, America had several
factors in its favor in the mid 1800s. There were many untapped
natural resources in the South, Midwest, and West; the Industrial
Revolution increased man's productivity thus making easy the
development of these natural resources; and there was a vast area
from the Appalachians to the Pacific to be settled and developed.
These opportunities, together with a liberal immigration policy,
caused many people to come to this country from Europe.
In the mid-1800s, ours was the world's only democracy. Since
that time other peoples_such as the British, Irish, Germans,
Japanese, and Scandinavians_have incorporated into their
governments many of the aspects of ours.2
The American form of government is no longer exclusively ours,
and our prestige can no longer stand upon that uniqueness. Also,
the differences between developed nations have diminished. We now
look upon other peoples of the world as partners and world
citizens in common.
After World War II, America gave economic aid to foreign
countries in an effort to rebuild that which had been destroyed.
Economics and generosity thus gained prestige for us, but again
these are areas in which we are no longer unique.
Japan now contributes nearly twice the amount of money as does
the United States for foreign aid. Eleven nations give a larger
percentage of their gross national product to foreign aid than
does the United States.3
America's ideas and philosophy are now popular. The world is
becoming Americanized. In spite of some unfortunate military
experiences and misdeeds in high office, America continues to be
idolized. Why are we so emulated, so copied, so imitated? Why do
nations want to change their form of government more closely to
resemble ours? Why is our nation, our philosophy of life, used as
a prototype? Why do foreign nationals go to great lengths to gain
admittance to the United States? Clearly, it is because we are
free; free to insist on a change in foreign policy; free to
insist on integrity in our elected officials; free to assemble
peacefully; free to communicate our thoughts and ideas; free to
think and worship as we please; free to work as long and as hard
as we desire; free to change our occupations, if we see fit.
America's future prestige likely will not be bought with the
visible, such as money and military might, but with our invisible
philosophy of freedom which appears to be gaining us the respect
of the world.
Education of the masses could well play a vital role in
developing and extending this philosophy. An educated mind has
reasoning power, can evaluate alternatives, arrive at a
conclusion, and thus develop a philosophy of life. By using
modern-day electronics, words and pictures can be transferred
instantaneously to almost any part of the world.
This gives information, but an idea or a thought is generated
only in the mind of the individual. Many facts and much
information must be transferred to a person if he is to be able
to reason, to think logically, and to say to himself: "Certain of
these ideas I do believe, some I reject, and thus I conclude_."
Clearly, education must be the first step toward developing a
philosophy of freedom for the people of all nations, thus leading
to understanding among peoples and peace among nations. America's
future prestige likely will not be bought with the visible, such
as money and military might, but with our invisible philosophy of
freedom.
A Life of L.D., Learning Disability
Starr Wiebe
I bet you think someone with L.D. is dumb, lazy, and
unintelligent. Did you know 15% of my school's students have a
learning problem of some kind?
A learning difference means that someone learns in a different
way. Someone with L.D. needs to first be taught to use his or her
brain through different pathways, before being able to cope with
normal everyday reading, writing, and spelling in a regular
classroom.
There are many different kinds of learning disabilities, over
70! One is auditory processing dysfunction, which means a person
has difficulty remembering the order of things and has difficulty
hearing the proper sounds of the alphabet. Imagine how hard it is
to read, write, and spell!
Here is an experiment you can try. Place a piece of paper on
your forehead and try to write the word ZONKER. Now take a look.
I bet it looks funny. That's the way it is for someone with a
learning disability.
L.D. is not a disease, it just means your brain works
differently. Having a learning difference has nothing to do with
how smart you are. In fact those with L.D. are probably as
intelligent as you are. But they have to work much harder at
things.
You will never guess which famous people have L.D.; Cher, Tom
Cruise, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison and Woodrow Wilson. They
all have or had learning disabilities.
Although you do not outgrow a learning disability, you can
overcome it. There is help through lots of hard work and the help
of parents, teachers, and resource programs, like the one I went
to for four weeks in Medicine Hat last year through the Calgary
Reading Foundation. I am going again this year in July to finish
off the decoding program, which is auditory perception
disfunction, and start a new program, visualizing and
comprehending which will help me remember and see pictures
clearly in my head.
This is what you do in summer school. You sound out words with
pictures of lips, teeth, and mouth. When you sound things out,
you can use felt and blocks for patterns.
Summer school is only four hours a day. Every hour you get a
new teacher. It is one teacher and one student. L.D. affects more
boys than girls. I love summer school, and I wish everyone with
trouble in school could go. I want to thank my mom and dad and
all the other people, especially teachers, who helped me in any
way.
Remember, if you are discouraged at someone for not reading
well, think about the little word hiding in discouraged. Cross
out the dis and the d at the end, and what is left spells
courage. That's really what it takes to go through school with a
learning difference.
------
The Friembly Bog
Once ubom a tmie ther was a frieml dobl. His name saw Jake.
Jake belombeb to Bavid and Bhte. Dabid and Beth aar tins. They
are nime yrse dol.
On e tome Jak went dow to the cellra. H was a ducket of soab.
The tins wer doing to wsah the car. He like some saop buddles out
of the ducket. When he darked, dib dubbles ca me out of hi s
muth!
Last sum mre jak founb a frenb. His frien sqw a tac named Freb.
They blayde all bay. They nar aroumb and aroumbb tye yarb. Jake
chased the tac ub te tre. Freb climbed up easily. Jake trieb t
and trieb dut ehe slib back bown!
-----
The Friendly Dog
Once upon a time there was a friendly dog. His name was Jake.
Jake belonged to David and Beth. David and Beth are twins. They
are nine years old.
One time Jake went down to the cellar. He saw a bucket of soap.
The twins were going to wash the car. He licked some soap bubbles
out of the bucket. When he barked, big bubbles came out of his
mouth!
Last summer Jake found a friend. His friend was a cat named
Fred. They played all day. They ran around and around the yard.
Jake chased the cat up the tree. Fred climbed up easily. Jake
tried and tried, but he slid back down!
Masonic Peace Academy Inaugurated In Argentina
Richard A. Gilman
On March 26, 1995, Ill\ Samuel J. Gonzales Winkler, 33,
Sovereign Grand Commander, Supreme Council, 33, of the Republic
of Argentina, and Lt. Grand Commander, now Grand Commander, Ill\
Gabriel Jess Marin, 33,* extended warm fraternal greetings to
the many international representatives attending the historic
first Masonic Peace Academy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As the
Deputy from the Panama Canal, the closest Scottish Rite Body of
our Supreme Council to Argentina, I was requested by Sovereign
Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33, to represent him at
this august conference since his Masonic visitation schedule
prevented his personal attendance. My wife, Jean, and I were
pleased to accept this honor. It had been 20 years since I was in
Buenos Aires, and I looked forward to renewing my acquaintance
with this beautiful city and noble country. Nor was I
disappointed.
The city had changed tremendously in two decades, but all for
the good. The buildings, parks, and historical sites were larger,
grander, and more meticulously kept than I had remembered. What
remained the same, however, was the warm Argentinian welcome and
sincere hospitality.
Ill\ Bro\ Juan Tomas Horvath, 33, Argentina's representative
to The Supreme Council, 33, S\J\, USA, was appointed my personal
guide, assistant, and translator during our visit which began
with our arrival at the Buenos Aires airport on Sunday, March 26.
He could not have been more gracious and helpful from our first
day's lovely sight-seeing tour of the city, with Bro\ Horvath and
his charming wife, Eva, to our reluctant farewell at the Buenos
Aires airport six days later.
Also, Jean and I were pleased to meet Ill\ Sidney Baxter, 33,
assistant to and representative of Ill\ Robert O. Ralston, 33,
Sov\ Gr\ Cmdr\, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, USA, with his
wife, Mona, at our hotel. Ill\ Baxter accompanied me to the first
meeting of delegates on Monday, March 27, as well as all of the
other meetings to follow.
On Monday, all attending Masonic dignitaries met M\W\ Eduardo
A. Vaccaro, 33, Grand Master of Argentina, in the main Lodge
room of the magnificent Masonic Temple which was constructed in
1890. It was a special pleasure there to be presented to Ill\
Bros\ Samuel J. Gonzalez Winkler and Gabriel Jess Marin.
Informal exchanges between the delegates at this meeting were
very helpful in cementing fraternal relations.
Tuesday, March 28, began with a floral tribute at the Plaza San
Martin honoring this great Mason, the liberator of Argentina. The
representatives then returned to the Grand Lodge building for a
formal reception of delegates and the official presentation of
the Masonic Peace Academy recognitions.
Each representative was preceded into the Lodge room by his
national flag, greeted formally, and offered tokens of
appreciation. Each representative then had an opportunity to
address the assemblage, extend greetings, and comment on the
significance of the occasion. My remarks, which were presented in
English and translated by Ill\ Bro\ Horvath, are presented here:
Grand Commander Winkler, my fraternal Brethren, and
distinguished guests_it gives me great pleasure to be here
representing Illustrious Brother C. Fred Kleinknecht. On March 6,
I visited with Grand Commander Kleinknecht at the headquarters of
the Southern Jurisdiction, USA, Mother Supreme Council of the
World, in Washington, D.C. On this occasion, he personally
expressed his regrets that he cannot be here today to share with
you this great and historic event.
Since he could not be here, today it is my pleasure to extend
to you warm fraternal regards on his behalf. It has been Grand
Commander Kleinknecht's pleasure to meet and work with Grand
Commander Winkler and other outstanding Argentinian Brethren at
international Masonic conferences in recent years. Moreover, the
Grand Commander has been struck by Ill\ Winkler's
dynamic spirit and worldwide
Masonic understanding.
The present Masonic Peace Awards initiative and its recognition
of Masons and non-Masons alike contribute to the harmony and
brotherhood of man. These Peace Awards are typical of the
forward-thinking vision and universal scope of Freemasonry in
Argentina. Your efforts will be noticed in the world community.
The high, positive profile you give here to Freemasonry is
representative of the social involvement so central to our Craft.
Such profile is necessary if we are to make our fraternal ideals
viable tenets for progress as we enter the 21st century. Finally,
I thank you for your most cordial hospitality and, above all,
your great work for our fraternal order, Argentina, and mankind.
The various comments and exchanges throughout the visit were so
productive that Ill\ Bro\ Marin proposed the group reassemble
every two years to provide solutions and to continue the good
relations evident at this session. The location for the meeting
will be democratically chosen and, tentatively, will meet in
1997.
This historic day concluded with an evening awards program and
banquet. Local news media were present, and the following day
there was a positive representation of the colorful ceremonies in
the city's newspapers and other media. Nine main Peace Prize
awards were given to Masons and non-Masons as well as Masonic and
non-Masonic groups. Among the individuals and organizations
honored were the
Argentine Red Cross and Dr.
Esteban Laureano Mardona, "The Dr. Schweitzer of Argentina,"
who had received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize. The large,
impressive medals were conferred by the Masonic Peace Academy on
all recipients present or to their representatives.
Among North American honorees were The Freedoms Foundation at
Valley Forge, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, as nominated by Sov\
Gr\ Cmdr\ C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33, on behalf of the Southern
Jurisdiction, USA. Another North American honoree was Ill\
Charles E. Spahr, 33, Active Emeritus Member, Supreme Council,
33, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, USA, as nominated by Sov\ Gr\
Cmdr\ Robert O. Ralston, 33.
Among international Freemasons who received the Masonic Peace
Prize for their untiring efforts in promoting tolerance and
better understanding between different religious and ethnic
communities were Ill\ Bro\ Sahir Erman, 33, Past Sov\ Gr\
Cmdr\ of the Supreme Council for Turkey; Ill\ Bro\ Joseph E. A.
Salem, 33, Sov\Gr\Cmdr\ of the Supreme Council for Israel; and
W\ Bro\ Juan Goldwasser, Past Master of La Fraternidad Lodge of
Tel-Aviv, Israel.
These impressive ceremonies concluded at 11:30 p.m. and were
followed by a social reception and formal banquet at the nearby
American Club famous for its 10th-floor panoramic views of
downtown Buenos Aires. At 2:30 a.m., Ill\ Bro\ Baxter, his wife
Mona, Jean, and I decided it was time to rest for our flight
home, and it was a special pleasure to be able to walk from the
club to our hotel through safe, clean, well-lit streets_something
one cannot do in many cities today.
The next day, Bro\ Horvath assisted us as he had throughout our
visit, this time in catching our flight. Thus, aside from its
celebration and encouragement of Masonic and non-Masonic peace
accomplishments throughout the world, the first Masonic Peace
Academy in Buenos Aires proves yet again that wherever you go in
the world, there is always a Brother to assist you in every way.
Current Interest
Oklahoma Relief Continues
The victims of the Oklahoma bombing continue to need
assistance, and Freemasons are providing it via generous
donations. Checks from individuals, Lodges, Valleys, Scottish
Rite Clubs, and other Masonic organizations passed a total of
$270,000.00 as of June 23, and could approach $300,000.00 or more
as contributions continue to the Family Relief Fund jointly
organized by the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma and the Masonic Charity
Relief Foundation of Oklahoma.
In addition, the response to Grand Commander C. Fred
Kleinknecht's appeal in the Scottish Rite Journal has exceeded
$36,000.00. A special ceremony has been arranged for the
presentation of this check to the Mayor of Oklahoma City, Bro\
Ron Norick, 32, Guthrie, Oklahoma, S. R. Bodies. Ill\ Paul T.
Million, Jr., 33, S\G\I\G\ in Oklahoma, will present the check
from the Scottish Rite Foundation to Justice Ralph B. Hodges,
33, Oklahoma Supreme Court, a member of the McAlester Advisory
Conference, who will present the donation to Mayor Norick.
A personal insight to the tragedy, in which two of our members
were killed and one seriously injured, was recently reported by
Ill\ Jim Tresner, 33, Director of Work, Guthrie, Oklahoma,
Scottish Rite Bodies. He notes: "I have had an amazing amount of
feedback over the Scottish Rite Journal article on the bombing
[June 1995]. The best, though, was a few days ago when a Brother
who was on the fifth floor of the building came into the Temple
to see me. He lost an eye, his face was badly scarred by flying
glass, and one hand was badly crushed, but he was holding a copy
of the June Journal in his hand, open to the article."
Help is still needed. Please send donations from Almoner,
Valley, and/or personal funds to the Scottish Rite Foundation,
S.J., U.S.A., Inc., 1733 16th Street NW, Washington, DC,
20009-3199. In turn, your contributions will be forwarded to Ill\
Paul T. Million, Jr., 33, S\G\I\G\ in Oklahoma. Your response
will be greatly appreciated and will be made part of the special
Scottish Rite Oklahoma bombing relief presentation to Oklahoma
City Mayor, Bro\ Ron Norick, 32.
Martin D. Carlin Night
On June 6, 1995, hundreds of Brethren gathered at the Scottish
Rite Temple in Washington, DC, to honor Ill\ Martin D. Carlin,
33, Grand Cross, upon his retirement from the posts of Secretary
and Personal Representative.
The festive evening began with a medley of Broadway show tunes
by the Scottish Rite Serenaders headed by Ill\ Robert E. Redding,
33, Director of Music for the Scottish Rite Bodies of the
District of Columbia.
Then Ill\ George R. Adams, 33, P\G\M\, acting as Master of
Ceremonies, paused to recognize two of the Washington Valley's
most outstanding Brethren who are now retiring after many years
of service in their respective positions: Ill\ Robert F.
Drechsler, 33, Special Projects and Stage Director Emeritus; and
Ill\ John T. Adams, 33, Past Chairman, Visitation Committee.
Each received a well-deserved Certificate of Appreciation from
Ill\ Charles S. Iversen, 33, S\G\I\G\ in the District of
Columbia.
Ill\ Adams then introduced a number of speakers to toast Ill\
Carlin's manifold contributions to the Scottish Rite and
Freemasonry: Brother Jerold J. Samet, 32, K\C\C\H\, newly
appointed Personal Representative, addressed Ill\ Carlin's early
years; Ill\ W. Gene Sizemore, 33, G\C\, Grand Executive
Director, spoke of Ill\ Carlin's military career; Ill\ Richard E.
Fletcher, 33, Executive Secretary, Masonic Service Association,
praised Ill\ Carlin's long service at the Veterans
Administration; Ill\ C. Fred Kleinknecht, Sov\ Gr\ Cmdr\,
recalled Ill\ Carlin's many contributions to The Supreme Council,
33; M\W\ J. Philip Smith, 32, Grand Master of Masons, DC,
honored Ill\ Carlin's tireless work for Blue Lodge Masonry; and
Ill\ Charles S. Iversen, 33, S\G\I\G\ in Washington, DC, paid
tribute to Ill\ Carlin and his beloved wife, Gwen, for the
endless hours of dedication each has given to the Scottish Rite
and, in particular, Ill\ Carlin's accomplishments as a ritualist,
secretary, and administrator for seven years, as well as Project
Manager for the construction of the Scottish Rite Center for
Childhood Language Disorders in Washington, 1987-89.
Bro\ Harry E. Echols, Jr., 32, K\C\C\H\, Past Master of Albert
Pike Lodge No. 33, Washington, DC, succeeds Ill\ Carlin as
Secretary of the Valley of Washington. His past accomplishments
in service to Freemasonry predict continued success for the
Scottish Rite in our nation's capital.
Programs Support Clinics
The Valleys of Duluth, Minnesota, and San Jose, California,
have innovative methods of supporting their Scottish Rite
Childhood Language Disorders Programs. For instance, the Brethren
of the Valley of Duluth had great success on April 30, 1995, by
sponsoring for the first time the Willowgrove Concert, a Gaelic
folk music group, and the Scottish Heritage Dancers. Both groups
donated their services, thus guaranteeing the evening's financial
success. Also, they were so impressed with the Temple that they
have requested to come back for another performance.
The Temple's beautiful woodland scenery provided a perfect
setting for the festive musical event, and a tour of the building
during intermission allowed visitors to find out more about the
Scottish Rite. Also, the concert itself gave an excellent
opportunity to tell audience members about the Valley's Childhood
Language Disorders Program in conjunction with the University of
Minnesota.
The San Jose Valley has a spacious parking lot and one of the
nicest rentable buildings in San Jose. With comfortable seating
for 600 people, the San Jose Temple provides appropriate
facilities for weddings, seminars, business meetings, club
functions, and church gatherings. Rentals have already helped the
Temple by providing building funds for completing the first-floor
recreation room, benefiting the Temple's library, and defraying
the cost of the Valley's excellent bulletin. As the public
becomes more knowledgeable of our flagship philanthropy and more
children need the services of our clinics, innovative methods to
raise funds become increasingly important. Congratulations to the
Brethren of Duluth and San Jose for finding two successful
methods of benefiting our Scottish Rite clinics and the children
of America.
1996 Rose Parade Float
"Humpty Dumpty," the famous nursery rhyme character, is the
inspiration for the Masonic Float in the Tournament of Roses
Parade on New Year's Day 1996. Sitting on the wall of the
flower-bedecked float, the colorful egg-shaped figure will
symbolize the parade's theme, "Kids_Laughter and Dreams," and the
title of the Masonic entry will be "We Support Youth." This title
is particularly appropriate for the parade's Masonic float entry
since Masons, as in the Scottish Rite's Childhood Language
Disorders Program, contribute millions of dollars annually
toward the welfare of America's children. Also, the 75th
anniversary of High Twelve International will be recognized by
the parade in that a High Twelve emblem will share the spotlight
with the Masonic Square and Compasses on each side of the Rose
Parade float. To help sponsor the float, send donations payable
to Rose Parade Masonic Float to: Robert C. Coe, Treasurer,
Masonic Float Committee, P.O. Box 661567, Arcadia, CA
91066-1567.
Grand Master's Award
With Ill\ Thomas C. Raum, Jr., S\G\I\G\ in Kansas, acting as
his personal representative, M\W\ E. Dean Osborn, 33, Grand
Master of Masons of Kansas, presented Sov\ Grand Commander C.
Fred Kleinknecht, 33, with the Kansas Grand Master's Award for
1994. In an accompanying letter dated March 18, 1995, M\W\ Osborn
noted the Grand Commander's "dedication to Masonic principles,
sincerity of purpose, and character as a true gentleman."
Ill\ Kleinknecht is one of only five recipients outside Kansas
to ever receive this award. Other out-of-state recipients are
Brothers Burton E. Ravellette, Jr., Imperial Potentate, and Jack
H. Jones, Imperial Recorder, Shrine of North America; Teddie
Harrison of Independence, Missouri, who has personally introduced
several hundred candidates to Masonry, including over 300 to the
Rite; and Charlie Daniels, country music star, for his work with
physically and mentally challenged children in Kansas.
"A Fraternity For Life"
The Grand Lodge of North Carolina recently pioneered a
12-minute videotape titled "Freemasonry: A Fraternity for Life."
A direct outgrowth of the Masonic Renewal Committee of North
America, this professionally produced color video, while specific
to North Carolina, conveys the message of Freemasonry generally
and is appropriate for a variety of audiences from potential
petitioners and Masonic Degree candidates to Lodge meetings,
civic clubs, and a variety of other fraternal, civic, or
educational gatherings. It is interesting to note that every
member of the North Carolina Grand Lodge Committee that developed
the videotape is a Scottish Rite Mason: Ill\ H. Lloyd Wilkerson,
33, S\G\I\G\ in NC, and Lt. Grand Commander, The Supreme
Council, 33; P\G\M\ I. Boyd Hopkins, 33; Bro\ A. Ed Lawing,
32, K\C\C\H\; Brother J. Richard Holshouser, 32; and Ill\ James
E. Vann, 33.
Copies of "Freemasonry: A Fraternity for Life" are available
for $15.00, including postage and handling, from: Grand
Secretary, Grand Lodge of North Carolina, P.O. Box 6506, Raleigh
NC 27628.
National Masonic TV Forum
At a recent meeting of the steering committee of the Masonic
Information Center, the president of Capstone Productions
detailed a national Masonic cable television forum and gained the
committee's endorsement. Capstone Productions is already well
known for its several Masonic programs, including videotapes of
the bicentennial Masonic cornerstone ceremonies of the White
House and U.S. Capitol.
The new video series of half-hour programs is designed to meet
several needs: as a local access cable television series, a Lodge
program, and an appropriate presentation for many fraternal,
civic, or educational meetings.
Modeled as a Masonic television news magazine, each program
will contain news segments, brief interviews, and several special
features on the history, philosophy, and purpose of Freemasonry.
The goal is to educate the public and members alike by increasing
everyone's understanding of the Fraternity.
Subscribers will receive a high-quality VHS color videocassette
of each new program four times a year. An optional 3/4" broadcast
videotape of each program is available, at no extra cost, for
play on local cable access channels. Easy instructions on how to
get FREE cable access air time on most U.S. local access cable TV
systems are included with each mailing. These tapes can be
donated to libraries after their television use. Also, a public
relations kit is sent to subscribers and offers guidelines on how
to get local newspapers to publicize the program and the library
donation.
For subscription rates and more information, write: Capstone
Productions, 12002 Citrus Grove Road, N. Potomac, MD 20878 Tel.
(301) 948-1468. To fax, call first. E-mail to: CIS#76371,3073
When In The Capital
On April 17, 1995, Bro\ Ted R. Holh, 32, Scottish Rite Bodies
of Los Angeles, CA, toured the many monuments of Washington, DC,
and made it a special point to visit Freemasonry's most
outstanding site in our nation's capital, the House of the
Temple.
Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33, was pleased to extend
a warm fraternal welcome to Bro\ Holh and to thank him personally
for becoming a Patron of the House of the Temple through his
donation to the Pooled Income Fund. For more information on the
Pooled Income Fund, see page 48 of this issue.
When in Washington, DC, please be sure to visit the House of
the Temple, which is located at 1733 16th Street, NW, about ten
blocks north of the White House. Free conducted tours for
individual parties are provided from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every
weekday and for groups, via prior arrangement, on Saturdays and
Sundays.
President of Panama
On April 19, 1995, Ill\ Enrique Escala Vasquez, 33, Sovereign
Grand Commander, National Supreme Council of the Republic of
Panama, convened a special session for the purpose of conferring
the Thirty-third Degree on the President of the Republic of
Panama, Bro\ Ernesto Perez Balladares, 32.
The ceremony was well attended, with 24 Active Thirty-three
Degree members of the National Supreme Council of Panama,
including Ill\ Roghelio Tehran, Past Grand Commander, and four
members of The Supreme Council, 33, S\J\, USA, from the Orient
of Panama.
The ceremony was done in full form by a superb cast from the
National Supreme Council of Panama under the leadership of Grand
Commander Escala and Ill\ Bros\ Lucho Zeylaya and Carlos Reyes.
Following the Ritual, a dinner was held in the Grand Lodge dining
room. Ill\ Bro\ Balladares is a graduate of the University of
Notre Dame in economics and the University of Pennsylvania in
business administration. Active in politics since 1977, he
assisted the negotiation of the Panama Canal Treaty and served
admirably in several diplomatic missions to Lebanon, Japan and
Singapore prior to his election as President of the Republic of
Panama in 1994.
He has also filled such important posts as Manager of Citibank,
N.A.; General Director and President of IRHE, Institute of
Resource, Hydraulics and Electrification; and President, Panama
Banking Commission.
One For The Record!
Saturday, May 6, 1995, will go down in the history of Wyoming
as one of the largest Masonic meetings ever held in that state.
The Casper Temple was the scene of the first ever "Grand Master's
Class" and was hosted by M\W\ Jimmy Jon Dunlap, 33, Grand Master
of Masons in Wyoming.
By having the first three Degrees conferred upon them in full
form and class style, 128 candidates were raised by special
Degree Teams composed of the most outstanding ritualists in the
state of Wyoming. Grand Master Dunlap conferred the Entered
Apprentice Degree, and W\M\ John P. Brooks III, Malta Lodge No.
17 of Thermopolis, Wyoming, conferred the Fellow Craft Degree.
The Third Degree was conferred in full costume and make-up by the
Scottish Rite Third Degree Team from the Cheyenne, Wyoming,
Bodies.
Throughout the busy day, the Casper Temple was filled to
capacity with Brethren and visiting Masonic dignitaries. That
evening over 300 persons attended a banquet hosted by Grand
Master Dunlap at the Parkway Plaza Convention Center in Casper.
Ill\ Jack E. Nixon, 33, S\G\I\G\ in Wyoming and Master of
Ceremonies for the occasion, provided a surprise "roast" of Grand
Master Dunlap in addition to congratulating all involved in this
historic Grand Master's Class in the "Equality State."
In Memorium
One day after an on-campus celebration of his 80th birthday,
Ill\ Abner Vernon McCall, 33, G\C\, died on June 11, 1995, of a
heart attack in his Waco, Texas, home. Ill\ McCall was born on
June 8, 1915, in Perrin, Texas, and, following the death of his
parents, he grew up, with his three brothers and sisters, at the
Fort Worth Masonic Home, graduating from its high school in 1933
as class valedictorian. He then attended the Baylor School of Law
and graduated in 1938, immediately becoming a Baylor faculty
member and teaching until 1942 when he became an FBI special
agent until 1946. Two years later, he was appointed the youngest
Dean in the history of Baylor Law School.
In 1956, he filled an interim appointment as Associate Justice
of the Texas Supreme Court and then resumed his Baylor career,
becoming President 1961-81; Chancellor, 1981-85; and President
Emeritus, 1985-95. Ill\ McCall also served his community as a
member of the Waco School Board and Waco City Planning Board.
Very active in his denomination, Ill\ McCall taught a Sunday
School men's class at Waco's First Baptist Church for 45 years,
served as Chairman of its Board of Deacons, was President of the
Baptist General Convention of Texas in 1964-65, and Vice
President of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1979-80. During
the 1992-93 "study" of Freemasonry by the SBC, he defended the
Craft in a Scottish Rite Journal article (Feb. 1993). Ill\ McCall
was raised a Master Mason in Baylor Lodge No. 1235, Waco, Texas,
and was a member of the Waco Scottish Rite Bodies since 1956,
serving as the first Master of Waco Consistory and working in the
22. For his many services to our Order, he was honored with the
K\C\C\H\ in 1961, I\G\H\ in 1965, and Grand Cross in 1991.
Throughout his long and productive life, Ill\ Abner Vernon
McCall, 33, Grand Cross, set an example of excellence in his
service to Baylor University, his church, the state of Texas, and
Freemasonry.
Preserving Historic Lodge Halls and Temples
Gary T. Scott
Among the greatest assets of Freemasonry in this country are
our many beautiful and historic old Lodges and Temples. Many of
them exuberantly articulate the architectural styles of the past;
and, if they are maintained, they contribute to the public
perception of our Craft as vital and enduring today.
Additionally, they exhibit our Fraternity's reverence for
architecture and master craftsmanship.
However, in the last several decades, the exodus of many of our
members to the suburbs has often left splendid old Masonic Halls
and Temples marooned in decaying inner urban environments. For
decades, loyal Masons have driven at night to attend meetings in
inner-city Masonic buildings. But lack of parking, crime, and an
aging membership have sometime resulted in the sale of old Lodges
or Temples and the construction of new, more modest facilities in
the suburban areas where many of our member have moved.
In smaller towns, the development of shopping malls has often
left downtown main streets with boarded-up or marginal shops.
Again, the old Lodge or Temple is trying to survive in a decaying
neighborhood. Many city fathers have attempted, with varying
success, to bring life back into the Main Streets of America. The
Main Street Program of the National Trust for Historical
Preservation has had success in bringing back many old downtowns
via the development of convention facilities, restaurants,
antique stores, and specialty shops. The old Masonic Hall should
be a partner in that effort.
Perhaps we cannot save every old Temple or Lodge, especially
those that have lost their neighborhood context. But because
these significant buildings often exist as the signature of our
organization, efforts should be made to preserve the most
distinguished, the most unique, the most architecturally
inspiring buildings as functioning tributes of our Craft.
Responding to a need to preserve the House of the Temple in
Washington, DC, Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht,
33, has initiated a successful calendar program which has
brought in needed funds to restore this supreme Scottish Rite
architectural masterpiece which functions as the administrative
headquarters of our organization. The neighborhood around the
House of the Temple is also undergoing revitalization. The House
of the Temple, for instance, has opened its doors to an annual
house tour which collects funds for neighborhood restoration.
There are areas of many cities and towns where "yuppies"
(upward mobile professionals) have moved in and restored old
residential neighborhoods. These areas provide a new recruiting
pool for the historic Lodges located within them.
Capital Hill in Washington, DC, is such an area where
professionals have restored many blocks around the U.S. Capital.
The Naval Lodge building, completed in 1895, is four blocks
north of the U.S. Capital. Naval Lodge No. 4, under the direction
of building manager Ray Edwards, is undertaking an extensive
restoration program. The Lodge's areas for shops and offices are
being upgraded to attract upscale tenants. A new elevator will
replace the early 20th-century three-passenger elevator leading
to the Lodge Hall. Lastly, the richly ornamented polychromatic
Egyptian revival Lodge Hall interior is being restored. (See the
back inside cover of this issue.)
Naval Lodge's older members, often born and reared in the
neighborhood, moved to the suburbs in the 1950s and 60s, but
loyally kept up the old Lodge for the ensuing decades. Younger
members are being drawn from the adjacent Capital Hill renovated
neighborhood to restore the Lodge's neighborhood context.
Other Blue Lodges, such as Lafayette-Dupont and Washington
Daylight meeting in the Naval Lodge building, are also making
contacts locally.
The preservation of Masonry's historic buildings is key to the
preservation of our organization today. We need the members to
keep up the buildings. The buildings inspire our members and
remind them of the labors of past generations. Yet, not every
building can be saved. Struggling Masonic organizations within
historic buildings need to ask these tough questions:
- Can we win in the fight to save our architectural heritage?
- Should we join with neighborhood organizations which are
trying to improve the neighborhood economically and as a place to
live?
- Is it imperative that we hand the Lodge and its building or
Temple intact down to the next generation?
Ultimately, it boils down to the Bible-old question, "Should
Esau sell his birthright for a mess of potage?"
An action plan is needed to ensure the economic viability of
our Masonic buildings and the continuation of their historic
function for ensuing generations. Delayed maintenance problems
should be addressed. Store and office rental space, traditional
sources of income, should be refurbished to compete in the local
rental market. Building trustees should enlist a loyal cadre of
Lodge or Temple Brethren and friends to watchdog the building in
years to come. Organizations that can be helpful in achieving
these goals include The National Trust for Historic Preservation,
1785 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC, 20036, (800)
944-6847. Also, The National Conference of State Historic
Preservation Officers, 444 North Capital Street, N.W., Suite 342,
Washington, DC 20001-1512, can provide a list of addresses of
state historic preservation offices.
Finally, The Preservation Assistance Branch of the National
Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Wash., DC 20013-7127, can provide
information on preserving historic buildings and making historic
properties accessible to the handicapped.
Where Do You Do Your Shopping?
Thomas M. Boles
Attention!!! Something new is now on our shelves. As you no
doubt know by now, we are always looking for new items to put in
our "store of happiness," and now we have found a dandy!
How would you like to transfer your IRA or other pension plan
into a Unitrust? One of the most attractive new planning options
is to transfer one's IRA or other pension plan into a
Testamentary Unitrust. Since the IRA cannot be withdrawn during
life without payment of income tax, one could choose to bypass
income tax by transferring it into a trust in his or her estate.
Now on our shelves, is a new capability to compare a
testamentary unitrust with a transfer of an IRA, or pension plan,
outright to a family member, or to a non-charitable family trust.
If the IRA is transferred to the testamentary unitrust, then the
income tax is avoided and the estate tax is reduced. The estate
tax reduction is dependent upon the amount of charitable estate
deduction resulting from the trust.
We can now provide you with illustrations on the impact of
four potential IRA taxes, as follows:
1)Excise Tax: a 15% additional tax on any value over the
protected amount;
2)Estate Tax: up to 55% tax, (or 60% if estate is over
$10,000,000) on the balance after deduction of the excise tax;
3)Generation-Skipping Tax: an additional 55% tax on amounts to
grandchildren over the "GST" one million dollar exemption;
4)Income-Tax: the federal and state tax payable on the income
as it is received by the family members.
With only a few answers to a few questions, we should be able
to provide you with the considerable capabilities of a charitable
trust to reduce overall taxation. Remember, the excise tax,
estate tax, and income tax (plus, in some cases, the
generation-skipping tax) can equal from 70-90% of your plan. With
the charitable trust, the tax burden can by reduced by at least
half, and sometimes more.
What I need to assist you, assuming you are interested in these
savings, would be the birthdate of the donor, the value of the
IRA or pension plan, and the income tax bracket of children to
receive the plan. Again, remember this is a Testamentary Trust,
and it only applies to leaving your IRA or pension to your heirs.
If this includes grandchildren, we would also need to know how
much is being left to them, in order to calculate the
"generation-skipping tax." We also will illustrate for you, the
consequences for both the charitable trust and the family trust.
The bottom line: given the enormous potential for the
charitable trust to preserve assets for the benefit of family and
charity, this plan will certainly be of great importance to you
and your family. Which leaves our "ad" for this month to read:
Opportunities multiply as they are seized; they die when
neglected.
Victory-WWII. A Personal Essay by the Artist of the Painting
John D. Melius
I was born shortly after the end of World War II. That makes me
a "baby boomer" and someone whose memories of this war were
garnered from books, magazines, television, movies, and through
discussions with relatives who had lived through the war. As a
child, I played the roles of attacker or defender, as did most
boys. We knew many heroic feats had been accomplished through
grit, smart thinking, superior technology, and group effort.
But until I did the research for the painting Victory_WW II, I
really didn't begin to understand the enormous effort and change
this war brought about in an amazingly short period of time.
The problem I had with research on the first major painting I
created for The Supreme Council, George Washington Laying the
Cornerstone of the United States Capitol, was a lack of
eyewitness accounts.
The problem with research on Victory_WW II was just the
opposite. There was more photography of important battles and
events (along with mountains of written documentation) than I
could possibly include in this painting. The amount of
information recorded of this brief four-year period of American
and world history can be demonstrated when one considers the
United States Archives Photographic Division's collection of WW
II photographs.
The total collection consists of seven million photographic
images. Over three million of those images are from the four-year
period from December of 1941 until the end of 1945. That is a
staggering number of images by any accounting and begins to shed
some light on the incredible amount of effort made by America
during this epic period in history. Trying to condense this much
visual material into one painting is like trying to capture a
book like War and Peace in 1,000 words or less. It really isn't
possible. The best method to distill the essence of this subject,
I thought, would be in the form of a poem, an artistic filtering
of impressions rather than an accounting of massed details. Thus,
Victory_WW II should be considered a visual poem presenting my
impressions as an artist of the hundreds of thousands of photos I
sifted through in order to organize my thoughts and feelings
regarding this amazing period in history.
Although all of the images contained in the painting are from
the general period during or slightly after the war, obviously I
have taken liberties to combine them in a visual ensemble that
would be pleasing and informative. I have included several
Masonic symbols that were not in original photographs, but I
consider them to be correct in spirit. One such image is the flag
of The Supreme Council, 33, in the honor guard to the right of
President Truman. Another is the Masonic ring worn by President
Truman in the painting. It represents a ring similar to several
Masonic rings he owned, but it was not worn by Brother Truman
when the photograph was taken which forms the basis of this image
in Victory_WW II. Also, the serial number on the tank in the
foreground is actually the Masonic date for 1945. It is unlikely
any tank carried this exact number. Similarly, there are no
Masonic markings on the graves in Europe of those who made the
ultimate sacrifice. I took liberties with these images to show
the Masonic connections present during this war albeit without
public record of that fact.
Finally, I opted for images that moved me artistically and
created a personal emotional response. The centerpiece for the
painting is President Truman pointing to the Emperor's signature
and stamp on the Instrument of Surrender. The unbridled joy
evident in President Truman's face showed me graphically the joy
I am sure the whole nation felt when the war was over. Images of
the German and Japanese surrenders (the latter to General Douglas
MacArthur, a Thirty-third Degree Scottish Rite Mason, aboard the
U.S.S. Missouri) gave, I thought, a sense of humanity to those
formal events.
The color photograph of Pearl Harbor in flames moved me deeply
and was, because of this personal emotional involvement,
difficult for me to paint. The two men in yellow foul-weather
gear getting ready to jump off the deck of the sinking ship
reminded me of my own experiences in Vietnam. Pearl Harbor had
always been just a name for me before that photograph. Seeing the
man being rescued by the small vessel and the extensive damage
everywhere in the image, I was more aware than ever before of the
horrible effects of the Japanese surprise attack. It made the
atomic weapon at the end of this war seem completely justified.
The original color photographs of an atomic weapon exploding
were awesome to contemplate. Seeing these photos juxtaposed
against other images of artillery being pulled by jackasses made
me realize the world went from an agrarian/semi-industrial state
into a jet plane/atomic era in a few intense years. The
technological world we know today with the great technological
races that allow me to use a computer to write this article came
directly from the scientific efforts put forward during WW II.
Before the war, much of the world had not changed since the time
of the ancient Romans and Greeks. Now every place and person on
earth is touched by the changes brought about by the incredibly
violent social change known as WW II.
The amount of sacrifice, heroism, and destruction_not to
mention social, governmental, economic, and technological
change_that took place between 1941 and 1945 will probably never
be repeated. Doing research for Victory_WW II and the actual
process of painting this picture changed my life. It put the 20th
Century in a new perspective. It made me realize that America and
the world should be more appreciative of the enormous effort put
forth by the men, so many of them Freemasons, and women who
fought WW II. The world as we know it today is built from the
ashes and advancements made during this great war.
The original painting of Victory_WW II (38" x 60") will remain
on permanent display in the Americanism Room of the House of the
Temple in Washington, D.C. Art prints (image 19" x 30"; overall
size 22" x 33") of the painting are available in a limited
collector's edition signed and numbered by the artist and printed
on fine, acid-free paper with fade-resistant inks. Unframed
prints are shipped rolled in protective tubes, UPS delivery
within two weeks. See the back cover of this issue for a
full-color illustration of the print.
Elegantly framed prints, double-matted and glazed, are also
shipped UPS, six to eight weeks delivery to contiguous states
(not to Alaska, Hawaii, or foreign countries). Distribution of
Victory_WW II is a fundraiser, and all proceeds will be used to
support the Scottish Rite Foundation, S.J., USA. Please send
orders to: The Supreme Council, 33, 1733 Sixteenth Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20009-3199. Make checks payable to: The Scottish
Rite Foundation, S.J., USA. Unframed print: $100.00 donation (S/H
included); framed print: $225.00 (S/H included). For more
information, call (202) 232-3579, Ext. 32.
Masonic Visitations In Europe
Robert W. Woodward
As Deputy of The Supreme Council, 33o, for the Orient of NATO
Bases, it is my privilege to represent Ill\ C. Fred Kleinknecht,
33, at many European Masonic meetings when his visitation
schedule as Sovereign Grand Commander makes it impossible for him
to attend in person. Recently, for instance, I was honored to
represent Grand Commander Kleinknecht in Turkey, Portugal, and
Germany. On April 21, 1995, the two-day Annual Communication of
the Grand Lodge of Turkey began with a dinner hosted in his home
by Cem Mahruki, one of that country's most prominent Masons. Over
100 Brethren attended, including Ill\ Faruk Erengul, 33,
Sovereign Grand Commander of Turkey, and members of his Supreme
Council. The following day, I joined about 400 Brethren at the
formal Grand Lodge meetings, extended Grand Commander
Kleinknecht's fraternal greetings, and presented Grand Master Can
Arpac, 33, with an album of bronze medallions from the Biennial
Sessions of our Supreme Council. Also attending were
representatives from the Grand Lodges of Portugal, Germany,
Luxembourg, England, and Spain. That afternoon a private
conference with Grand Commander Erengul and Past Grand Commander
Sahir Erman, 33, provided an opportunity for useful discussions
of the new
European Supreme Councils. Ill\
Erman also reported on the recent meeting in Buenos Aires,
Argentina, where he received the Masonic Peace Prize from the
Supreme Council, 33, for Argentina. A lovely afternoon tea at
the beautiful home of Ill\ Erengul completed the two days of
ceremony and conference.
On Sunday, April 23, a large delegation of about 200 Masonic
dignitaries traveled to the city of Yakacik to witness the
consecration of a new Turkish Lodge, Granit Lodge, built on
several acres of land which, in the future, is planned to
accommodate a home for the widows of Masons. The dedicatory
ceremonies were followed by a gala ball in Istanbul which was
attended by a group of 30 Brethren and their wives who had
traveled from Frankfurt with W\ M\ Metin Cangor, Turkay Lodge.
Our stay in Turkey concluded with a private dinner for Grand
Lodge members and distinguished guests. Hosted by Grand Master
Can Arpac, the festive event was held in Istanbul in the
beautiful dining room of the Grand Lodge of Turkey.
Returning to Germany for the Annual Communication of the
American Canadian Grand Lodge (April 27-29), I represented Grand
Commander Kleinknecht and, as Honorary Assistant Grand Master,
the Regular Grand Lodge of
Portugal. Also present were representatives of the National
Grand Lodge of France, the Grand Lodge of England, and M\ W\
Rainer Schicke, Grand Master of the United Grand Lodges of
Germany, along with the Grand Masters of the
German Grand Lodges. On Friday, April 28, a Festive Board,
complete with charges (toasts) and speeches, epitomized fraternal
unity, and on Saturday night, following the reelection of M\ W\
Reginald Britten and his Grand Line of the American Canadian
Grand Lodge, a gala dinner, hosted by Grand Master Britten,
marked the first time in history that the five Grand Masters of
the Grand Lodges under the Grand Lodge of Germany ever attended
the same function.
By May 5, my busy schedule of Masonic visitations as Grand
Commander Kleinknecht's representative took me to Portugal for
the meeting of the Supreme Council, 33, for Portugal. After
seeing the Fourth Degree portrayed in a beautiful ceremony, I
witnessed the conferral of the Thirty-third Degree on the three
principal officers of the Rectified Scottish Rite. This symbolic
representation of Masonic unity and cooperation was followed by a
gala dinner hosted by Ill\ Bro\ Jos Burnay, Sovereign Grand
Commander for Portugal, and attended by M\W\ Fernando Teixeira,
Grand Master of the Regular Grand Lodge of Portugal. Ill\ Murray
Sentner, 33, the evening's principle speaker, was invited to
travel from Germany to Lisbon for the occasion. The dinner was
also attended by five prominent Turkish Brethren with their
wives. This group continued their European visitation by
traveling to Frankfurt, Germany, to attend the Second Anniversary
of Turkay Lodge the following weekend.
Finally, the weekend of May 12-13, found me back in Heidelberg
representing Grand Commander Kleinknecht at the Annual Shrine
Ceremony hosted by Ill\ Elmer C. George, 33, one of the
outstanding leaders of the NATO Scottish Rite Degree Team during
the recent trips to Romania and Hungary.
The well-attended event climaxed with a dinner sponsored by the
Shrine, Scottish Rite, and York Rite. Ill\ Alister Boyd, 33,
President of the European Shrine Club and our Orient Personal
Representative, was also present.
Immediately after the Heidelberg event, accompanied by Ill\
Jos Zoio, 33, Grand Secretary of the Supreme Council for
Portugal, and Ill\ Mario Guia, 33 (who had traveled from Lisbon
to become Shriners), we attended the Second Anniversary of Turkay
Lodge in Frankfurt.
The Lodge's newly elected Master, Murat Aksoy, hosted a gala
dinner remarkable for the large number of Turkish and European
Brethren attending and the dinner's guest speakers, Halim
Arcksoy, the first Grand Master of the Regular Grand Lodge of
Turkey, and Berndt Serdel, Director of the Frankfurt Kriminal
Police, who recently supported a Drug Prevention Program
sponsored by the ACGL. Other important guests were Dr. Bozkurt
Guvenc, Advisor to the President of Turkey, and Cuneyt Vavuzcan,
Vice Consul of the Turkish Consulate.
As with exercise, Masonic visitations, however extensive, are
energizing and beneficial. In particular, these Masonic visits to
Turkey,
Portugal, and Germany underline the vitality of Masonry
throughout Europe and the dedication of the Brethren to expand on
their already high achievements.
"Fitness," A Necessary Requirement Of The True Freemason
Julian H. Cambridge
It is well understood that one does not attempt Calculus
without Algebra and Geometry as foundations. In a word, one must
be made fit to receive advance knowledge by the acquisition of
lesser knowledge. The Symbolic Lodges have the very great
responsibility of making Masons. But what does it mean to "make"
a Mason?
The answer to this question will vary, but minimally it must
mean that it makes a man fit to receive a higher knowledge than
he has been exposed to earlier. This "fitness" is achieved by
sharing experiences found nowhere else in the world and by
imposing a severe self-
discipline that has no equivalent in any other endeavor. It is
achieved by undergoing a ritual.
To understand ritual and what it has to do with the concept of
fitness, we must distinguish between ritual and ceremony. A
ceremony binds people together as a social unit; ritual is
intended to affect a profound change in the character of the
participant.
The example of a wedding may serve to help make the distinction
clear. For the observers at a wedding, it is only a ceremony
uniting not only two individuals but also uniting two families.
But for the participants, the marriage is a ritual, intended to
affect very fundamental changes in their outlook on the world and
themselves. Over time, the importance of the ritual character of
marriage has declined, and divorces have risen as even the
participants see in marriage nothing more than the ceremony and,
consequently, feel no real bond to each other, no permanent
transformation that only ritual can give.
It is equally true in Freemasonry that appreciation of the
transformative character of Masonic Ritual has begun to decline,
and the workings of many Lodges have become mere ceremonies or,
worse yet, mere entertainment.
The result is that too many newly made Masons possess the title
in name only and do not understand the great weight of
responsibility set upon them to preserve and protect the great
truths given by Freemasonry to Freemasons.
We fail at the greatest responsibility of leadership if we do
not prepare our members to receive that special instruction
unique to the Masonic Lodge, if we do not make them fit to
receive it.
The power of Freemasonry resides in its Ritual, its fellowship,
its catechism, its traditions, and its moral truths. This power
exists because of the ability of our Fraternity to transform its
members from ordinary good men to extraordinary, better men. The
need for more Masonic education is universally understood, and
many Grand Lodge Jurisdictions have begun programs to ameliorate
this condition.
However, at times it appears Freemasonry is compromising its
standards in order to accommodate those aspirants who are not fit
and properly prepared to embrace the elevated teachings our
Fraternity possesses. While this might be a positive gesture
regarding membership statistics, we must be very careful not to
lower the standards which our noble Order and its teachings
require. We must be prepared to demand high qualifications from
the applicants, insofar as we can observe them. Doing so, this
will assist the newly initiated Brother Mason and assure
continuation and perpetuation of Freemasonry itself.
In order to take advantage of the Masonic heritage, the Mason
is encouraged to be tenacious enough to review his Freemasonic
teachings continually; otherwise he can stray from the true
Masonic path, slip from Masonic joy to complacency, and sink into
a quagmire of disinterestedness. The Mason must be prepared to
work, because study and learning must coincide with a striving
for intimate attachment to the principles of our Fraternity.
However, study alone is not enough; the Mason must be prepared,
willing, and ready to apply Freemasonry's lessons to his life and
to share them with others. Masons must be willing to devote
sustained energy to accepting the responsibilities of our Masonic
lessons. Every effort must be made to impress upon and teach
these to the newly made Brother Mason.
He must be able to recognize and repudiate the approach that
will take knowledge as an end in itself and, instead, come to the
conviction that the aim of Masonic study and application is to
acquire nobility of character, integrity, and good habits. He is
prompted to dedicate himself to the willing service of people and
to attempt to exert his influence upon them for good, rather than
to remain apart and aloof.
We, by our very nature, are evolving beings. We never stand
still, we are always becoming something else. Therefore, we are
encouraged to review our Masonic teachings and principles, then
recommit our lives to them. This promises to be an ongoing
process because there is no genuineness in our existence without
a sense of commitment and indebtedness; without a cognizance that
man must transcend himself, his needs and his self-interests;
without the realization that our existence involves celebration,
satisfaction, and exaltation. It is difficult for Masons to think
of themselves as true Masons without being conscious of their
indebtedness. The true Mason has a sense of being committed to a
continuous task, being called upon to experience living and
receiving as well as taking. To the Mason, this is the most
important experience and joy in life.
Masonry's meaning, therefore, is found in understanding the
demands made by our Craft and in responding to them. r
Furthermore, Masons are strongly encouraged to strive to
acquire a thorough knowledge of the world in which they live.
This becomes a necessary prerequisite for comprehending the
condition of their Brothers and Sisters whom they will be asked
to serve. To commit oneself fully to the teachings and principles
of Freemasonry, then, requires a leap, a suspension of one's
inevitable self-centeredness.
Thus, the ability to love is a Masonic qualification of
paramount importance. To assist in affecting positive change,
love and compassion are offered first before we commence our
practical assistance to the less fortunate.
Finally, there are three conditions a Mason has to meet: the
perfection of his intellectual faculties, an active imagination
to robe the concepts conveyed by Masonic imagery and, as a
result, the determination to live a strong moral life. Then, and
only then, will he be fit to be a Mason.
Book Reviews: Just A Little More Detail, Please
Dr. S. Brent Morris
Casual students of Masonry are entirely satisfied with Mackey's
Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, once the epitome of Masonic
knowledge but now showing its age. More knowledgeable inquirers
know about Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia, and serious researchers
don't take a step without consulting Ars Quatuor Coronatorum:
Transactions of the American Lodge of Research, The Philalethes,
Heredom: Transactions of The Scottish Rite Research Society, and
other similar scholarly Masonic research publications. If you
really want to understand any topic in detail, you need more
information than can be found in an encyclopedia. Often this
means seeking out specialized articles and volumes. We give you
this month both specialized volumes and a detailed article.
Nothing reviewed in this column would make good "night stand"
books, but they are essential for the researcher seeking just a
little more detail on specific topics.
Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, vol. 27, no. 3, Fall
1994. Paperbound, 324 pp., $10 postpaid, Dialogue, P.O. Box 658,
Salt Lake City, UT 84110-0658, (801) 363-9988.
The connection between Freemasonry and the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints (the "Mormons") has always been a
source of interesting articles. Beyond a doubt, Freemasons figure
conspicuously among the founders of the Church_for example,
Joseph Smith and Brigam Young, to name but two prominent Mormons.
The articles, however, have been more often strident than
informative. Bro\ S. H. Goodwin's Mormonism and Masonry and the
article in Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia are decidedly anti-Masonic
in tone. Brother Mervin Hogan almost single-handedly brought in
a new era of objective, scholarly research on Mormonism and
Masonry with his many articles on the subject.
One topic nearly totally ignored in this new research is the
similarity of the Mormon temple endowment ceremonies and Masonic
Rituals. Some have charged that the Mormon ceremonies were
plagiarized by Joseph Smith and are nothing more than a corrupted
form of Freemasonry. The Grand Lodge of Utah prohibited Mormons
from joining its Lodges for years, partly because of this charge.
(The Grand Lodge of Utah changed its membership requirements in
1984, and Mormons can now join.)
The Fall 1994 issue of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought
contains a detailed article on the issue of ceremonial
similarities, Michael W. Homer's "'Similarity of Priesthood in
Masonry': The Relationship Between Freemasonry and Mormonism."
Homer's article is the most complete study to date and is "must"
reading for anyone interested in the subject. The article is 113
pages long and painstakingly detailed (658 footnotes!). It starts
with a background of both Masonry and Mormonism, and then
explains the evolution of the endowment ceremony from its first
incomplete introduction in 1836 at Kirtland, Ohio, to its
present-day form. Homer then considers official and unofficial
descriptions of the temple endowment and examines various charges
of plagiarism from Masonic Ritual.
Mr. Homer shows that whatever inspiration Joseph Smith may have
drawn from Masonic Ritual, his use of Masonic forms was without
the knowledge or approval of any Grand Lodge. Homer offers an
interpretation: "that Joseph Smith used his own imperfect thought
processes, that the language he used represented the cultural
context in which he was situated, and that he adapted
recognizable texts and documents through creative inspiration."
(p. 112)
Not all of Mr. Homer's conclusions are convincing, but his
article certainly helps the reader better understand the tenuous
connection between Mormonism and Masonry.
Catalog of Freemasonry and Esotericism (in French), free.
Approximately 60 franc shipping charge per book ordered, Visa and
MasterCard accepted. ditions Tltes, 15 Rue Jean Jacques
Rousseau, 75001 Paris, France.
It's always exciting for me to find a new source of Masonic
books_a used book store, a flea market, or a new catalog.
ditions Tltes in Paris has a one-page listing of several dozen
excellent books on Freemasonry_some original, many reprints.
The volumes are in French, but for Francophone readers, they
are a wonderful source of further details on our Fraternity.
Because of their limited, specialized interest, a detailed review
of the books is impossible, so I'll highlight a few special
examples. (Besides, my French isn't good enough for more than a
brief summary.) This will give the interested reader an idea of
what can be found at ditions Tltes.
Dictionnaire du Rite cossais Ancien et Accept, by Michel
Saint- Gall, 1991. Paperbound, 144 pp., 100 francs.
This is an excellent dictionary of specialized Scottish Rite
words; it is a shame is hasn't been translated into English. I
already have used this book in my studies of precursors of
Scottish Rite Degrees. (Scottish Rite Research Society members
are familiar with the translation that Eric Serejski, 32, and I
are making of the first published expos of French "high grade"
Degrees.)
The French used is straightforward enough that I rarely need to
check my French-English dictionary. If you need to know the
origin and meaning of Scottish Rite terms, then this book is an
invaluable tool.
Recherches sur le Rite cossais Ancien Accept, by Jean-Emile
Daruty, 1879, reprint 1988. Paperbound, 338 pp., 180 francs.
This is one of the early works on the true history and origins
of the Scottish Rite. It looks at the genuine, documented history
of our Rite as it was created in France, as opposed to the
wishful dreaming of many authors who look to ancient Egypt for
Scottish Rite origins. While more than a century of research has
advanced much of our knowledge beyond that of Daruty's viewpoint,
his book is still an important milestone in Masonic research.
Un Mystique Lyonnais et les Secrets de la Franc-Maonnerie:
Jean- Baptiste Willermoz, 1730-1824, by Alice Joly, 1938,
reprint 1986. Paperbound, 338 pp., 245 francs.
Jean-Baptiste Willermoz is almost unknown to American Masons,
and yet his contributions to our Fraternity are immense.
He is responsible for "rectifying" the Right of Strict
Observance into the Rectified Scottish Rite or Knights Beneficent
of the Holy City, and some have suggested he helped introduce the
Rose Croix Degree.
Alice Joly's biography not only gives the reader insights to
the creation of one of the significant modern European Masonic
Rites, but also provides a glimpse of French Masonry during a
time of intense growth and expansion. Willermoz was a major
player in these areas_and much more.
|
|
Disclaimer: The file contained in the
box above or displayed in a separate window from a link in the
box above is NOT owned nor implied to
be owned by BeYoND THe iLLuSioN. Most files at BeYoND THe
iLLuSioN are originally from public Bulletin Board Systems
(BBS) which were popular in the days before the Internet or
from gopher, web, and FTP sites from the early days of the
Internet which no longer exist today. Essentially, all files
were acquired from the public domain in one for or another.
However, there have been occasions when copyright protected
material has appeared on BeYoND THe iLLuSIoN without permission
of the copyright holder. In these instances, we have and will
continue to remove the copyright protected file as soon as it
is brought to our attention. This can now be done using our Report Copyright Material form. Fill
out the form, and the webmaster will be notified of the
situation.
There are also times when files found on BeYoND THe iLLuSioN
have a real home somewhere else on the Internet. In these
instances, we will gladly replace the file with a link to its
true home whenever it is brought to our attention. If you know
of the true home of any of these files, you can use our Report Original URL form to bring it yo our
attention.
|
