The Book of Common Prayer, cxlvi.I

Where to begin? From any point of view, the Bicentennial Biennial Session of the Supreme Council from September 30 through October 3, 2001, in Charleston, South Carolina, was the highpoint of 200 years of Scottish Rite achievement in America!
This success did not come easily. Holding a Biennial Session outside the traditional venue of Washington, D.C., where we have all the staff and resources of the House of the Temple available, was, in itself, a major challenge. Add to that the fact that well over 4,000 Brethren and guests attended, as opposed to the usual approximate number of 1,000 Session participants, and you can begin to see the complications involved regarding housing, transportation, and staff support services. Yet, despite the inevitable and unavoidable lapse or two, it was a great Session that can arguably be recorded as the most enjoyable and significant event in our two centuries of Scottish Rite history in America. Thus, all of this January 2002 Scottish Rite Journal is dedicated to articles from or about the Session. In that way, Brethren who could not attend will get some impression of the Session's highlights.

The main purpose of this message, however, is to give thanks by name to at least a few of the many, many Brethren, their ladies, and others who contributed so much to the success of the Bicentennial Biennial Session. In the rush of fraternal business compressed into an already busy ceremonial schedule, I regret that little formal public note of gratitude was made during the Session. Even in this message, I am sure some important individuals will, inadvertently, be overlooked, and for that I am sincerely sorry. Please know that, even if you are not noted here by name, your service is deeply appreciated and recognized, locally in Charleston and nationally at the House of the Temple, as an important part of the total effort that made the 2001 Bicentennial Biennial Session a great, great occasion.

First, of course, are the Charleston Brethren themselves. For more than six years, Ill. H. Wallace Reid, 33°, S.G.I.G. in South Carolina and Grand Minister of State of the Supreme Council, has worked with Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C., Grand Executive Director of the Supreme Council, to plan and confirm every detail of the event. In this complex work, their "right arm" man on site was Ill. Richard A. "Dick" Wooden, 33°, Secretary of the Charleston Scottish Rite Center. A hands-on man with a dedicated staff at the Center and supportive Brethren throughout the Orient of South Carolina, Ill. Wooden managed the thousands of local details with an efficient cadre of Brethren and their ladies assigned to specific tasks.

Among these, as reported by the Valley of Charleston, were the following: Ed Baker, 32°, K.C.C.H., Degree Coordinator for the K.C.C.H. Investiture; Tommie Brant, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander for the 33° Conferral (Past Grand Master, South Carolina); Don Burbidge, 33°, Photographer; Lloyd Christopher, 33°, Thirty-third Degree and Vendor Coordinator; G. Kent Elkins, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander for the K.C.C.H. Investiture (Present Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina); Ron Embry, 32°, Assistant to Transportation Chair; Herb Goldberg, 33°, Dedication of Bicentennial Markers; Randy Harley, 32°, K.C.C.H., Transportation Chairman; "Jake" Jacoby, 32°, K.C.C.H., Assistant to Transportation Chair; Charles Lauder, 32°, K.C.C.H., Flag and Flag Staff Chairman; Ms. Evan Martin, Registration/Scottish Rite Exhibit at Museum; Gil Martin, 33°, Registration/Scottish Rite Exhibit at Museum (Past Grand Master, South Carolina); "Buddy" Mattox, 32°, K.C.C.H., Publicity; John Pearson, 32°, K.C.C.H., Meal Planning; Bill S. D. Pross, 32°, K.C.C.H., Convention Center Ushers; Bill Rooney, 32°, Grand Commander's Driver; Henry "Ed" Smoak, 32°, K.C.C.H., Registration Chairman; Pat Squires, 32°, K.C.C.H., Stamp Cachet Coordinator; and Keith Sitka, 32°, Registration. Thanks and congratulations to all!

Supreme Council staff members who arrived days early in Charleston to set up a headquarters center in the Charleston Place Hotel assisted the good work of these Brethren in a thousand ways. Among them were: Carol Acotto; Martha Bell; Ill. John Boettjer, 33°, G.C.; Ill. Tom Boles, 33°, G.C.; Heather Calloway; Bro. Todd Carton, 32°, K.C.C.H.; Arturo de Hoyos, 33°; Ill. Earl Ihle, 33°, Beverly Jeffries; Fran Johnson; Ill. S. Brent Morris, 33°, G.C.; Dana Osterndorf; Bro. Rob Sansbury, 32°, K.C.C.H.; and Joan Sansbury.

Similarly, Dr. W. Kenneth Lyons, Jr., 33°, G.C., Grand Chaplain of the Supreme Council, received perfect Charleston assistance during the Sunday afternoon Vesper Service, which began the formal Session on September 30. His inspirational sermon, "Grit and Grace," was beautifully enhanced by the Choir of St. Mark United Methodist Church directed by Anita Carpenter, who was also organist for the service, and Carl Shealy, baritone soloist. In addition, Dr. A. Robert Nix, 32°, Pastor, Grace United Methodist Church in Charleston, provided an eloquent offertory prayer and other valuable assistance. It should be noted that Dr. Lyons also shared several wonderful prayers at appropriate occasions throughout the Session and that Mr. Shealy touched everyone's heart as he sang the "Lord's Prayer" prior to the report of the Committee on Obituaries during the Opening Session on October 1.

The above Charleston and Supreme Council personnel were joined by many others from across the Jurisdiction, all working as one to make the 2001 Bicentennial Biennial Session a truly outstanding event. Among them were the following.

Ill. Jim Tresner, 33°, G.C., dressed as Albert Pike, and Ill. Robert G. Davis, 33°, as a Mason from today, presented a crowd-pleasing dramatic dialogue as the highlight of the Scottish Rite Research Society's 10th Anniversary meeting, conducted on October 2 during the Session. Similarly, the Society's officers—Ill. Bros. Forrest D. Haggard, G.C., President; H. Wallace Reid, Vice President; Warren D. Lichty, Founding President Emeritus; Plez A. Transou, Secretary; and others—masterfully handled the Society's abbreviated business meeting and first awards ceremony recognizing Brethren who have contributed significantly to the Society's publications during the last 10 years.

Similarly, Bro. Michael W. Brooks, 32°, K.C.C.H., led the members of the Scottish Rite Brass, Valley of St. Louis, Missouri, on several occasions, including the receptions following the opening of the Supreme Council's Bicentennial Exhibit at the Charleston History Museum and the Vesper Service, at the Opening Session, two stops on the Scottish Rite Bicentennial Historic Sites tour of Charleston, and the Gala Banquet.

Certainly, Ill. Mel Tillis, 33°, G.C., deserves everyone's sincere thanks for the great Gala Concert performed in the North Charleston Coliseum. Backed by the magnificent Statesiders band and singers, Bro. Mel delivered a foot tapping, often humorous, and always enjoyable concert that was warmly applauded by all present. That he took the occasion to announce his personal contribution of $15,000 to the Scottish Rite was one more "star" of a truly stellar performance!

Also, I would be remiss if I did not thank all the Active Members, Deputies, other Officers of the Supreme Council, Sovereign Grand Commanders from Sister Supreme Councils around the world, heads of Allied Masonic Bodies, and 33° and K.C.C.H. Honor Men who participated so effectively at the Session's business meetings, Opening Session, honors ceremonies, fraternal presentations, and related activities. Your reports were excellent. Your expressions, as Masonic dignitaries, of anniversary congratulations are treasured. Your honors clearly deserved. Your cooperation and participation in all aspects of the Session deeply appreciated.

Finally, of course, I wish to thank all the Brethren, throughout the Southern Jurisdiction. There could have been no Bicentennial Biennial Session without your continued support of and participation in our Fraternity. Today, because of you, we can look to a third century of Scottish Rite leadership and service to America. For the success of the 2001 Bicentennial Biennial Session and for your continued dedication to our Order, thank you one and all!

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