Washington
Post District Extra" Features House Of The Temple As
"Washington's Seventh Wonder"
On June 12, 2003, the "District Extra"
section of the Washington Post had a front-page, color-illustrated
article (pictured right), titled "Washington's Seventh
Wonder." The feature article focused on the significant
restoration work going on at the House of the Temple, especially
the rebuilding of the front entrance steps and plazas. Post
reporter Serge F. Kovaleski researched his subject carefully
and interviewed several House of the Temple employees. The end
result is an informative, attractive cover story picturing many
famous Masons and prominently noting that the Temple is open
to the general public for guided tours daily from 8:00 am to
2:00 pm and on weekends for groups of 25 or more by prior arrangement.
(See visitor information.)
The Washington Post article demonstrates the benefits
of speaking with the press at every opportunity and opening
our facilities in every appropriate manner, thus establishing
a positive public image for the Scottish Rite and for Freemasonry.
Correction:
The poem "It Is The Soldier," edited from an Internet
source used for Journal publication, appeared on the
front inside cover of the June 2003 issue. At the time, the
poem's author was not clear, and "author-ship unknown"
was noted in the cover-page credits. Since then, many other
web sites have featured the poem and attributed it to Father
Dennis Edward O'Brien, Sergeant, USMC, a Guadalcanal Veteran
of World War II, 11th Marines, and the Chaplain for the 1st
Marine Division Association. However, Bro. Robert F. Williams,
32°, Valley of Tucson, writes, "According to my local
library, this poem was originally presented by General of the
Armies Douglas MacArthur, 33°, during a speech on Veterans
Day (year unknown). I have seen several poems using this format.
The term soldier refers to the status of all enlisted personnel
in the Armed Services." The Journal regrets any
inadvertent error in attributing the authorship of this poem
and thanks Dr. Hollis Utah Cox, 32°, Guthrie, Oklahoma,
Scottish Rite Bodies, and Bro. Edward F. Ginsburg, 32°,
Pasadena, California, Scottish Rite Bodies, for calling to our
attention the attribution of the poem to Father Dennis Edward
O'Brien.
JROTC
Award In Florida
 |
On May 16, 2003, Ill. Francis
L. Dancy, 33°, Valley of Lake Worth, Florida, presented
the Supreme Council's JROTC Education and Americanism Award
to Seaman Jodie A. McElfresh during an honors award ceremony
at Sebastian River High School, Sebastian, Florida. This
is the first time the award has been presented at the school,
and Ill. Dancy notes, "It is quite refreshing to see
these young people taking part in a patriotic effort instead
of protesting everything under the sun as was so prevalent
in the 1960s." (For information about the Scottish
Rite's JROTC or new ROTC Programs, please contact your Valley
Secretary.) |
"The
Play's The Thing"
Remember
how Shakespeare's Hamlet thought he could catch the conscience
of the king by means of a play?
The Valley of Alexandria, Virginia, found that
the play was the thing to catch the interest of its members
and their families. The Valley bought out the Little Theatre
of Alexandria for the June 17, 2003, presentation of Arsenic
and Old Lace. For the 213-seat capacity of the theatre,
211 tickets were sold.
Planning for this family event began a year earlier
when the Valley won a bid to sponsor this particular play on
the date indicated. Publicity about the program began in January
2003 and intensified during the remaining months. Notices in
the Valley's monthly bulletins; at Stated, Scottish Rite Club,
and Blue Lodge meetings; and through personal contacts by many
members promoted the event.
An added feature that attracted participation
was hiring buses to transport people from the Scottish Rite
parking lot to the theatre. This avoided the inconvenience of
parking in a congested downtown area. Rain on the night of the
performance made the door-to-door bus transportation even more
valuable. Some members and families traveled as many as 100
miles to be with their Scottish Rite friends and Brothers for
an evening of entertainment and sociability.
Although some had seen other versions of this
play since it was originally performed 62 years ago, all present
greatly enjoyed the humor and intrigue of the two-act comedy.
Refreshments were provided during the intermission by one of
the Valley's members and his family. Other family events like
this are planned for the future.
A theatre night is just one of the pleasant ways
nearly every Valley can increase member interest and participation.
Try it. Your members will like it!
Submitted by Ill. Walter S.
Downs, 33°, G.C., Personal Representative and Secretary
Auction
Benefits Charlotte's RiteCare Clinic
 |
Thanks to the efforts of a very talented
and charming hostess, the North Carolina Masonic Foundation
is the recipient of $15,000 raised during a phenomenal one-night
Gala and Auction with all proceeds going to support the
Valley of Charlotte's RiteCare Clinic. Elizabeth Mann Cavanaugh,
daughter of Ill. Thomas J. Mann, 33° (both pictured
right), was the Chair for the event held on April 25, 2003,
at the Galway Hooker Restaurant in Cornelius, North Carolina.
Beth, along with help from several of her friends, organized
a successful night of good food, entertainment, and fund-raising. |
| The winners, of course, are the children.
More than 1,000 have received clinic services since 1988.
Various individuals and businesses in the Lake Norman area
donated many different items for auction, others mailed
in monetary contributions, and the Valley of Charlotte paid
for the expenses incurred. Also pictured left at the auction
are Karen Love and auctioneer Bro. Joseph E. Magee III,
32°. Thanks to all! |
 |
JROTC Award At Yokosuka,
Japan
|
 Recently,
at Kinnick High School, located on Yokosuka Naval Base,
Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, NROTC Cadet Lt. Robert Fabionar
received the Scottish Rite's JROTC Education and Americanism
Award from Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Charles A. Bond,
32°, P.M. Bro. Bond is currently stationed with the
Afloat Training Group, Western Pacific. He is a member
of the Tokyo Scottish Rite. When he was W.M. of Yokosuka
Lodge No. 20, there were over 70 Degrees conferred during
the year. He is also the Grand Lodge of Japan's Library
Committee Chairman and the Inspector of Sagamihara Lodge
No. 20. Congratulations, Brother Bond, on presenting the
award on behalf of Ill. Joe A. Diele, 33°, G.C., Deputy
in Japan and Korea, and rest assured that your ongoing
involvement with and contributions to Freemasonry in Japan
are appreciated. (For information on the Supreme Council's
JROTC and ROTC Programs, please contact your Valley Secretary.)
Submitted by Ill. James
L. Johnston, 33°, Orient Personal Representative
|
Diligence
And Determination Make The Grade
| The Supreme Council's JROTC and ROTC Education and Americanism
Awards grow in popularity every month. This spring, for
instance, the Valley of Fresno, California, presented 11
awards to JROTC Cadets at local high schools. Ill. Louis
W. Jelinek, Jr., 33°, Valley Secretary, prepares a royal
purple presentation folder for the certificate, and Bro.
Warren H. Hill, 32°, K.C.C.H., Coordinator of the Scottish
Rite program in Fresno, presents the medal, bar, and certificate.
He is pictured below with Anna Hanuf, Air Force ROTC Cadet
at Fresno State University. |
 |
 |
Carl J. Tattoli, Navy JROTC Cadet at Linden High School,
Linden, New Jersey (photo right above) was similarly honored
during a special dinner on May 23, 2003. In thanking the
Supreme Council for the honor, he wrote: "Being a Cadet
in the NJROTC Program taught me many things. One of them
is that working hard, with diligence and determination,
will help make you successful in life. I will wear this
Ribbon and Medal proudly and will work hard not to disappoint
you or your Order. (For information about the Supreme Council's
ROTC and JROTC Programs, please contact your Valley Secretary.) |
Senator
James Strom Thurmond, 33°, G.C., 1902-2003
Freemasonry
and America mourn the loss of one of its most distinctive and
celebrated statesmen, Senator James Strom Thurmond, 33°,
Grand Cross. Ill. Thurmond was the longest-serving Senator in
American history and the oldest person to serve in Congress.
Born on December 5, 1902, in Edgefield, South Carolina, and
well known as a robust man even in his 90s, Senator Thurmond
died, after several months of declining health, on June 26,
2003, at age 100 in Edgefield, South Carolina.
Ill. Thurmond's long life included careers as
a farmer, teacher, athletic coach, county superintendent of
education, lawyer, city and county attorney, State Senator,
and Circuit Court Judge. Volunteering for active duty in World
War II the very day war was declared against Germany, he served
with Headquarters First Army, participated in the Normandy invasion,
landed on "D" day, and was awarded five battle stars
and 18 decorations, medals, and awards, including the Legion
of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal with "V,"
and Purple Heart. Returning to South Carolina, he was elected
State Governor (1947-51), becoming a lecturer and college professor
after his term in office. In 1948 he was the presidential candidate
of the "Dixiecrat" States' Rights Party. First elected
to the U.S. Senate as a write-in candidate in 1954, he began
his long political career in the nation's capital as a Washington
insider holding many influential government positions, most
notably as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee (1981-87)
and Chairman of the Armed Services Committee (1993-99). Though
initially famous as a conservative icon, by 1970 Senator Thurmond
adopted more liberal views, saying: "Times change and people
change, and people who can't change don't stay in office long.
You've got to meet changing conditions."
Raised a Master Mason in Concordia Lodge No. 50,
Edgefield, S.C., in 1925, Bro. Thurmond was invested with the
32°, Valley of Columbia in 1948 (transferring his membership
in the Lodge of Perfection from Columbia to Aiken in 1971);
received the K.C.C.H. in 1967; was coroneted a 33° in 1969;
and elected to the Grand Cross, the Scottish Rite's highest
honor, in 1987. As his 33° nomination form noted, "He
is proud of his membership in Masonry and the Scottish Rite
and has on many occasions evidenced his genuine interest in
and support of their great principles."
Photo courtesy Clemson University
Ill.
D. Walter Jessen, Sr., 33°, 1914-2003
Ill.
Dietrich Walter Jessen, Sr., 33°, Past Chancellor, Past
S.G.I.G. in Louisiana, and Emeritus Member of the Supreme Council,
33°, died on June 23, 2003. Interment was in Lake Charles,
Louisiana, with Masonic graveside services attended by Ill.
Ronald A. Seale, 33°, Lt. Grand Commander and S.G.I.G. in
Louisiana, representing the Supreme Council. Many family members,
longtime associates, and Masonic Brothers were in attendance.
Born and raised in Lake Charles and educated at
Louisiana State University, Ill. Jessen was the President of
D. W. Jessen & Associates, a respected civil engineering
firm known, in particular, for its work with the Dock Board
of Lake Charles, downtown business development, and airport
authority. A devoted member of the Episcopal Church of Lake
Charles, Ill. Jessen was also very active in a number of professional,
civic, and charitable groups including the First National Bank
of Lake Charles, American Society of Civil Engineers, Greater
Lake Charles Chamber of Commerce, St. Patrick's Hospital, Community
Concern Association, Imperial Calcasieu Museum, YMCA, Boy Scouts,
Family Service Association, Speech and Hearing Agency, and the
Calcasieu Parish Democratic Executive Committee.
Raised a Master Mason in Rudolph Krause Lodge
No. 433, Lake Charles, he held many leadership roles in area
Blue Lodges and the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. Among these were
Master of Justice Lodge No. 449 and, in Grand Lodge, Grand Standard
Bearer; Chairman, Board of Budget and Control; Grand Pursuivant;
Grand Senior Warden; and Grand Master in 1979. Joining the Lake
Charles Scottish Rite Bodies in 1951, he quickly achieved honors
(K.C.C.H. 1959; 33° 1969; S.G.I.G. 1977-1995) through his
personal involvement, administrative skill, and effective leadership
in a wide variety of important areas, including publication
and philanthropy. His special interest in our Childhood Language
Program prompted his Brethren to establish a clinic in New Orleans
and name it the D. W. Jessen Scottish Rite Childhood Learning
Center. Ill. Jessen also excelled in other Masonic groups, among
them DeMolay, the York Rite, and Shrine.
Brethren everywhere mourn the loss of this fine
gentleman, cordial friend, devoted family man, outstanding civic
leader, and accomplished Freemason.
