The Supreme Council, 33°, is deeply grateful for the generous contributions Brethren have sent to the special fund set up to provide relief directly to the victims and their families of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. As indicated in the "Special Note" in Grand Commander Kleinknecht's message in the January Scottish Rite Journal, funds are available for this purpose. If you or members of your family have been directly affected by these terrible tragedies, please contact the Grand Commander directly by letter with the specifics of your case.

Write to:
C. Fred Kleinknecht
The Supreme Council
1733 16th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009–3103

Your case will receive timely and careful attention. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Illustrious Sam E. Hilburn, 33°, Recognized
During Statewide S. R. Reunion In Texas

In what is believed to be a first for Texas Scottish Rite Freemasonry, a statewide "Sovereign Grand Inspector General's Reunion" was held September 14–15, in Waco, Texas. At a Friday night banquet, Ill. Sam E. Hilburn, 33°, and his wife, Millie, were guests of honor. Ill. Hilburn is a Past Grand Master of Masons in Texas, S.G.I.G. in Texas, and Grand Treasurer General. Ill. Hilburn, who retired as S.G.I.G in Texas, on December 15, 2001, was presented with a William Wallace Claymore sword, the gift of the General Secretaries of the nine Scottish Rite Valleys in Texas.

Ill. Gordon W. Kelso, 33° (r.), General Secretary of the Valley of Austin, presents an engraved William Wallace Claymore sword to Ill. Sam E. Hilburn (l.), on behalf of the General Secretaries of the Scottish Rite Valleys of Texas. Photo: Ill. James G. Dougherty, 33°

The Valleys of Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Galveston, Houston, Lubbock, San Antonio, and Waco provided a total of 81 Master Masons as Candidates for the one-day Reunion. While the Degrees were being presented, 45 ladies and two children boarded a charter bus for a luncheon and informative tour of Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas and the Masonic Home and School in Fort Worth.

Candidates (81), dignitaries, and Scottish Rite members take time for a panoramic photo outside the Lee Lockwood Scottish Rite Library and Museum in Waco, Texas, during the recent statewide one-day Reunion, September 14–15, 2001. Photo: Ill. James G. Dougherty, 33°

Washington Post Features The Craft And The Rite

The 7,000-word cover story of the Washington Post Magazine for Sunday, November 25, 2001, highlighted Freemasonry and, in particular, the Scottish Rite. The cover shows the upper half of the face of Dr. S. Brent Morris, 33°, G.C., Director of Membership Development, framed by the House of the Temple in the background. Peter Carlson, author of the story, toured the House of the Temple and started interviewing Ill. Morris last December. In his research, Mr. Carlson talked with Ill. Morris several times, Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, Ill. Richard E. Fletcher, 33°, Executive Secretary of the Masonic Service Association, and dozens of other Brothers. The story is light, flip, and irreverent, but basically positive. More importantly, it gives us insights as how we appear to the general public.

Grand Commander Kleinknecht said, "This was wonderful national exposure to tens of thousands of readers—more coverage from the Washington Post than we've seen in the last 20 years together. Our charitable activities were highlighted, anti-Masons were properly dismissed as ‘daffy,' and famous Masons featured. I would have emphasized different aspects of our Fraternity, but we got a fair hearing and a decent story." The article talks about the age of our members, the decline of our numbers, and the occasional tedium of our ritual. It's often hard to get serious attention from the press, especially the national press, so this article is unique in the scope of its coverage. Ill. Earl K. Dille, 33°, S.G.I.G in Missouri, has a good perspective on the article and says, "It could be a good wake-up call for the Fraternity, and at the same time encourage discussion and new ideas."

Light In Freemasonry, Even For The Blind

The Fall Scottish Rite Reunion in the Valley of Birmingham, Alabama, was held on September 8–9, 2001. As in previous years, the Reunion went well, but with one major difference: we had a very special dog participate in the Degrees. Kaili, a beautiful female German shepherd seeing-eye dog, was at her master's side for every Degree, yet never made a sound both days of the Reunion.

Kaili is the guide dog for one of our newest Scottish Rite Masons, Bro. Leigh J. Grundlingh-Scott, 32°. Brother Scott, as he prefers to be called, was born in Pretoria Transvaal, South Africa, and came to the United States as a young man. He is a member of Dolcito Lodge No. 596 in Tarrant, Alabama. He regularly attends not only his Lodge but is also well known in the Birmingham area for attending other Lodges when work is being done. His Lodge visitation is limited only by the availability of a driver.

Bro. Leigh holds a Doctorate in Acupuncture, a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, and has his own practice. In addition, he currently owns and operates Blind-Sight Ministries, the sole U.S. distributor of the Baptist hymnal in Braille and large-print versions. He also distributes the Holy Bible, both the King James and New International versions, in Braille. These are given free of charge to churches and others.

Bro. Scott lost his sight due to a reaction to medication, but he has not let his handicap keep him from obtaining Masonic knowledge. His efforts to learn and to participate have left many of us with sight coughing in his dust. During the Scottish Rite Degrees, it was evident he listened to every spoken word and gained more light with each passing sentence. He intends to have someone read to him all the information that was placed in the Reunion packet given to each new Scottish Rite Mason, and this includes the book A Bridge to Light. Clearly, he will absorb all the light that can be communicated to him in Symbolic and Scottish Rite Masonry. We are proud to have him as a member of the Valley of Birmingham.

Submitted by Ill. Horrall B. West, 33°
General Secretary, Valley of Birmingham

Veterans Day In New Mexico

Members of the Young Republicans on the campus of the University of New Mexico wanted to show their appreciation for America and those that served by organizing a Veteran's Day celebration. Mechanized units of the New Mexico National Guard were asked to attend along with U.S. Representative Heather Wilson (R-NM) and the Ballut Abyad Shrine Pipe and Drum Band. The students also requested that Scottish Rite Masons from the Valley of Santa Fe be present as they were aware of the patriotic contributions of this fraternal organization.

Pictured left to right are: Brother H. William Hart II, 32°, Valley of Santa Fe, New Mexico, National Tartan Day Coordinator for New Mexico; U.S. Representative Heather Wilson; and Brother Ralph L. Stevenson Jr., 32°, designer of the state of New Mexico tartan. Photo: Ryan Rice

Masons/Veterans March In Nevada Veterans Day Parade

On November 11, 2001, Freemasons formed a major marching unit in the Reno, Nevada, Veterans Day parade. They represented all elements of the Masonic Fraternity and were sponsored by the Northern Nevada Masters and Wardens Association. Pictured right, Sgt. Kyle A. Kittell, a Gulf War veteran and Entered Apprentice of Reno Lodge, No. 13, proudly carries the Stars and Stripes. He is flanked to his left by his father, Ill. Lewis E. "Red" Kittell, 33°, Personal Representative, Valley of Reno, Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.) a Korean/Vietnam veteran, and to his right by Col. Anthony Scheuller, 32°, USAF (Ret.), a Vietnam and Gulf War veteran.

Virginia Scottish Rite Honors Top Teachers

In an article by Staci Dennis in The Virginian–Pilot (Sept. 27, 2001), the Scottish Rite in the Norfolk, Virginia, metropolitan area received public recognition for its support of public education. The article reported on the tenth annual teacher award banquet held on September 15th in the Norfolk Scottish Rite Center. In recognition of the importance of the event, M.W. William L. Holliday, 33°, Past Grand Master of Virginia (r. in photo), attended the ceremony.

The honorees, who each received a $500 award, were Althea White Joyner, a Granby High School English teacher, in Norfolk; Sharon W. Miles, an instructional specialist, in the City of Chesapeake (l. below); and Sheryl Nussbaum–Beach, an elementary school computer resource specialist for grades K-5 in Virginia Beach (r. below). Althea White Joyner did not attend the award ceremony because she was in New York City. Her brother was in the World Trade Center when it was attacked on September 11, and he is still listed among the missing. Granby High School principal Michael Caprio accepted the award on her behalf and said, "It is good to know the local community is involved in supporting its teachers. Our teachers need to know they have people and organizations like the Scottish Rite out there standing behind them."

During the ceremony, Ill. Carlton L. Gill, Jr., 33°, Venerable Master of the Norfolk Scottish Rite Bodies (l. previous page), noted, "We want to do something to recognize teachers because they are overstressed and underpaid. Public education for the children in America is a priority for us as Scottish Rite Masons. Teachers are some of the most important persons in our society because they are preparing people for the future. If we want a good future for America, then we have to help the teachers."

Teacher Sharon Miles said she would use the $500 award to purchase school supplies for her students, and Sheryl Nussbaum–Beach said she plans to use the $500 as a starting point for a fund-raiser for disaster relief in New York and Washington, D.C. Congratulations to all!

"Any Soldier" Gift Boxes In Columbus, Georgia

The members of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Columbus, Georgia, assisted in a project initiated by Ft. Benning Chapter No. 8, National Sojourners, Inc., by helping to assemble and package gift boxes for soldiers deployed overseas in "hardship" areas during the Christmas/Hanukkah Season of 2001. Shown in the photo at right, taken in the Columbus, Georgia, Scottish Rite Center auditorium, with a portion of the 347 boxes gathered by the Chapter, are: (l. to r.) Bro. Charles K. Wilson, 32°, K.C.C.H., Assistant Valley Secretary and Past President of Ft. Benning Chapter No. 8; Bro. John G. Norris, 32°, K.C.C.H., Chapter Secretary; Mrs. Norman Blankenbeckler; Mrs. Mary Wilson; Ill. James E. Miller, 33°, Valley Secretary; Bro. P. Norman Blankenbeckler, 32°, K.C.C.H.; Bro. Nathan G. Hoover, 32°, Chapter President; and Mrs. John G. Norris.

In 2002, members of the U.S. Armed Forces will be deployed in many locations on the globe, some in a deterrence role, some as peacekeepers, and some as peacemakers. The above effort recognizes their sacrifice and service by sending them our best wishes and thanks through "Any Soldier" gift boxes. Included in the boxes are such things as T-shirts, hard candy, gum, pocket books, disposable cameras, and beef jerky. The hope is that these gift boxes will assist the unit leaders, commanders, and chaplains by keeping up the spirit of the young warriors, both male and female.

"Masons Care And Will Always Be There"

Now is the time to support the Green Envelope appeal of the Masonic Service Association. Ill. Thomas W. Jackson (left), 33°, R.W.P.G.S., Executive Secretary of the World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges, supports the appeal saying:

"I have had a great privilege in life to be able to travel and to study Masonry in many other countries of the world. I have talked with members who have not been able to practice Freemasonry openly and have seen a far greater respect exhibited by these members for our Fraternity. I have always had a great love and appreciation for this wonderful country of ours, but these observations have caused me to appreciate even more the meaning of the words Land of the Free.

"I have also had a great appreciation and respect for the sacrifice and commitment of our veterans in preserving that heritage. These observations also caused me to acknowledge even more that the Land of the Free requires the Home of the Brave. These men and women were brave, and, as a result, we are free. The brave were there when they were needed, and our commitment must always be to thank them.

"The Masonic Service Association, through its Hospital Visitation Program, which is supported by the Green Envelope appeal, provided more than 250,000 man hours in 2000 to thank these veterans for the contribution they made in giving us, among other freedoms, the right to be Freemasons.

"These volunteers form the seventh largest volunteer group out of 56 registered with the Veterans Administration Voluntary Services. They need our support to continue to thank our veterans. Let Freemasons never fail to remember and act on the fact that Masons Care and Will Always Be There."

Please send checks payable to Masonic Service Association to 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Contributions are tax deductible. Thank you for your participation.

Research Society Scholars From Mexico Honored

On November 1, 2001, Brother Paul Rich, 32°, Valley of Boston, Massachusetts, N.M.J., who teaches at the University of the Americas, Puebla, Mexico, and two other scholars from Mexico, visited the Supreme Council Library of the House of the Temple to conduct Masonic research. They had been unable to attend the Scottish Rite Research Society awards ceremony conducted at the October 2, 2001, meeting of the Society during the Bicentennial Biennial Session held in the Performing Arts Center of North Charleston, South Carolina. Thus, their visit was an opportune moment to present them their awards for contributing to the publications, Heredom and the Plumbline, of the Society. Dr. S. Brent Morris, 33°, Grand Cross, Editor of Heredom (pictured right in the photo above right) with the assistance of Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C., Grand Executive Director of the Supreme Council (far left), did the honors, awarding (l. to r.) to Guillermo De Las Reyes and Antonio Lara their Contributing Member SRRS certificates and jewels and to Bro. Paul Rich, 32°, his SRRS Fellow certificate and jewel.

Like Father Like Son

A father-son team continued making strides in South Florida Masonic circles this year. Both Bro. Jose Aurelio Sibila, 32°, K.C.C.H., and his son, Ill. Bro. Jorge Aurelio Sibila, 33° were advanced in the Valley of Miami. Jose, age 81 and retired, received his K.C.C.H. award in Tampa on October 20, 2001; Jorge was in the class to be coroneted with the 33° in Lake Worth, Florida, on October 13, 2001. Both father and son joined the Scottish Rite in 1979, and both enjoy perpetual membership in Miami. Both are Cuban-born, testimony to the growing Hispanic element in South Florida Masonry. Illustrious Brother Jorge A. Sibila is an attorney and a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. His father is a leader in the local Scottish Rite Latin Club.

Pictured (l. to r.) are Ill. Bro. Jorge A. Sibila, 33°; Ill. Bro. James V. Prigodich, 33°, General Secretary of the Valley of Miami; Bro. Jose A. Sibila, 32°, K.C.C.H.; and Ill. Bro. Vance E. Larkins, Jr., 33°, Personal Representative in Miami.

Illustrious Dwight A. Hamilton, 33°, Appointed
Acting Grand Treasurer General

Due to the retirement of Ill. Sam E. Hilburn, effective December 15, 2001, and in accordance with ARTICLE VI, SEC. 32 of the Statutes of the Supreme Council, Sovereign Grand Commander Kleinknecht appointed Ill. Dwight A. Hamilton, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Colorado, as Acting Grand Treasurer General of the Supreme Council, 33°, and Chairman of the Committee on Finance, effective December 16, 2001. In making the appointment, Grand Commander Kleinknecht noted in a memo to all Active Members and Deputies of the Supreme Council: "I have every confidence in Dwight's ability to wisely counsel the Supreme Council in dealing with its finances during these unusual times."

See "The Mantle of a Patriot."

The Wicker Clan

Of all the flying events which took place at this year's 30th Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, none was more colorful than the kilted "Wicker Clan" balloon team composed of Scottish Rite Masons from the Valley of Santa Fe, New Mexico. They were on the field at daybreak to help Kevin Cloney's "Sunshine's Ride" balloon promote National Tartan Day. Standing (l. to r.) in front of the inflating balloon are Dr. B. Brett Davis, 32°, piper; Kevin Cloney, the balloon's pilot; Bro. H. William Hart, 32°, Chairman for Tartan Day in New Mexico; Rebecca Vigil-Giron, New Mexico's Secretary of State; Bro. S. Scott Davis, Esq., 32°, drummer; and, kneeling in front, Bro. Ralph L. Stevenson, Jr., 32°, designer of the state of New Mexico Tartan.

Research Society Announces 2002 Bonus Books

On December 14, 2001, Ill. Forrest D. Haggard, 33°, Grand Cross, President of the Scottish Rite Research Society (SRRS), announced the 2002 bonus books to be sent free to all 2002 dues-current members of the Society. Each is a tribute to its author, Ill. Rex R. Hutchens, 33°, Grand Cross, a 2001 Mackey Scholar recognized by the Scottish Rite Research Society Board of Directors for his Lifetime Achievement in Masonic scholarship.

The books are: The Bible in Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma (pictured left); Pillars of Wisdom, The Writings of Albert Pike; and A Glossary to Morals and Dogma. Some books are hardbound, others are softbound. Starting in late spring, each 2002 dues-current member will receive, by random selection, ONE of these three books FREE! (If the supply of these books is exhausted, an alternative of equivalent value will be substituted.)

Also, members can purchase (getting a 10% Society membership discount off their total order) one or both of the books they happen not to receive as a bonus, if they are still available. Prices are: The Bible in Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma ($10 softbound; $15 hardbound, if available); Pillars of Wisdom, The Writings of Albert Pike ($10 softbound; $15 hardbound, if available); and A Glossary of Morals and Dogma ($15, hardbound only).

For more information about the Society or how to join ($30.00 Annual Membership; $500 Life Membership, individuals only), check the Supreme Council's online store, call 202–232–3579, fax 202–387–1843, or write: Scottish Rite Research Society, 1733 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009–3103. Please make checks (domestic only) payable to the Society or send VISA or MasterCard information, with expiration date and signature.

Join now and get ONE of the three bonus books noted above, randomly selected, as well as the other benefits of SRRS membership in 2002: the Plumbline, the Society's quarterly newsletter, and Heredom, the annual transactions of the Society, with papers covering all aspects of Freemasonry, not only the Scottish Rite.

Ill. Marvin E. Fowler, 33°, Grand Cross, 1904–2001

For many Brethren, the passing on December 11, 2001, of Ill. Marvin E. Fowler, 33°, Grand Cross, marks the end of an era. For over half a century, Bro. Fowler was "Mr. Mason" in our nation's capital and held nearly every post in almost every Masonic Body for well over half a century.

Ill. Fowler was born on October 12, 1904, in Salisbury, Missouri, attended Central College in Fayette, Missouri, and taught high school before coming to Washington, D.C., where he earned an M.A. degree from The George Washington University. From 1929 to 1956, he worked in the Division of Forest Pathology in the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was the Department's chief of disease research for Northeast states when he retired in 1963. From 1965 to 1985, he was the Secretary–Treasurer of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Though honored by several scientific societies in his profession and by his church, Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, it was in Freemasonry that Ill. Fowler had his greatest impact.

After affiliation from a Missouri Lodge to LaFayette–Dupont Lodge No. 19 in the District of Columbia, he became a 32° Mason in D.C. in 1932, ultimately serving as the presiding officer of all four coordinate bodies of the Scottish Rite. As a result of his efforts, he was invested a K.C.C.H. in 1937, coroneted a 33° Mason in 1943, and elected a Grand Cross in 1993.

Ill. Fowler was presiding officer of all York Rite Grand Bodies in the District of Columbia, including that of Grand Master of Masons in 1950. One of his proudest achievements was election for three years as Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, USA. Probably, his most cherished Masonic activity was with the Royal Order of Scotland where he served on the Order's Degree Team from 1950–1997 and was Provincial Grand Master for 44 years, until retirement in 1997. Also, for many years, he was chairman of the convention of Allied Masonic Degrees where he was the head of most of the bodies associated with that organization.

Ill. Marvin E. Fowler's affable spirit, intense dedication, and fraternal excellence will be long remembered and deeply missed. He is survived by his beloved wife, Roberta, of 47 years, two daughters, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.