Frank Donald "Don" Scrivener, 32°, K.C.C.H.
3521 South Amherst Highway Monroe, Virginia 24574-2900
beachbuums@adelphia.net
A Brother recalls his Masonic journey which
led to receiving honors at the 2001 Bicentennial Biennial Session
in Charleston, S.C.
Photo:
Charleston Convention and Group Services, Inc.
"Welcome to Charleston" are words that will forever
ring in my heart and mind as perhaps some of the greatest words
of my life. Never expecting to hear these words, I became a
Master Mason in August of 1975, after several months of working
through and memorizing the Masonic catechisms connected with
the first three Degrees of Masonry. At that time, however, my
job kept me on the road and away from the Lodge. Nevertheless,
I continually read any information I could find on Masonry,
mainly because I found the organization so interesting and filled
with some of the most outstanding men I had ever met. In 1995,
I became very active in the Blue Lodge mainly because my brother-in-law,
Blake Robertson, joined the Lodge. To my surprise, I found that
taking part in the Degrees was a lot more fun than just reading
about them. After moving through the chairs, I became Master
of Clinton Lodge No. 73, Amherst, Virginia, in 1997, the Lodge's
150th anniversary.
In that year, I also petitioned the Scottish Rite, Valley of
Lynchburg, Virginia, and in the fall of that year, I was made
a 32° Master of the Royal Secret. This began my next Masonic
journey. I was completely fascinated with the Scottish Rite
Degrees and the further Masonic education they provided. Thus,
in the spring of 1998, when I was asked to be the Senior Warden
in the 18th Degree, I gladly accepted. You have to view the
Degrees as a teaching tool to the new Candidates and must be
prepared to give any role in the Degrees your very best. Now,
I look forward to every Reunion just for the opportunity to
serve in this Degree.
The next fork in the road was being asked to move through the
line, which I, although a little reluctant at first, came to
realize was yet another honor. After moving through the line,
I served as Venerable Master of the Valley of Lynchburg in 2001.
This would have been and still is one of my most memorable roles-except
for a letter I received in September 2000.
You cannot imagine how you feel when you receive a letter from
the Supreme Council that says: "Con-gratulations on being
elected to receive the K.C.C.H." You can't help but get
excited and, I'll admit, proud but also very humble. You even
wonder if you received the letter in error. This sounds strange,
but those were my thoughts. I still felt I had taken more than
I had given.
The next 13 months were filled with anticipation for the upcoming
event. We arrived in Charleston in October of 2001 for the Bicentennial
Biennial Session of the Supreme Council, 33°. What a wonderful
and meaningful program this proved to be! We were able to meet
and talk with Scottish Rite Masons from all over the world.
It was a joy I will never forget in that it made me truly see
how fine an organization the Scottish Rite is. I think the founding
"Eleven Gentlemen of Charleston" would be very proud
of what they started in 1801. To be a small part of this can
only serve to make you more humble.
The crowning touch took place on Wednesday, October 3, with
the Investiture of the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander
Court of Honour. Happily, my wife, Judy, my mom and dad, and
many Brethren from the Lynchburg Valley were in attendance.
This made it a really meaningful family, as well as fraternal,
affair. I was humbled even more at being included in this group
of honored Brethren. It was one of the most impressive ceremonies
I have ever been involved in, and, as I looked around the North
Charleston Coliseum, I still couldn't help but think, "What
did I do to deserve this honor?"
Joining the Scottish Rite, has been one of the best roads I
have ever traveled, and being elected to the K.C.C.H. has been
the most humbling experience I have ever known. I place that
red cap on with appropriate pride at every Scottish Rite meeting
and still wonder, "What did I do to deserve this honor?"
To all new members, just know that this is the greatest fraternal
organization in the world, and, like anything in life, you will
only get out, what you put in. Scottish Rite Masonry has a lot
to offer to its members and to the world. Be involved. Learn
the Rite's meanings as they apply to you. Then apply those concepts
to your everyday life. You will be surprised what they will
do for you and for others you come in contact with daily.
As the famous poet Robert Frost said, "Two roads diverged
in the yellow woods, and I took the one less traveled by."
Take the Scottish Rite Road. You will never be sorry.
 |
Frank Donald Scrivener
was raised a Master Mason August 13, 1975, at Clinton Lodge
No. 73 in Amherst, Virginia, serving as Master in 1997,
the Lodge's 150th Anniversary. He joined the Scottish Rite,
Valley of Lynchburg, in October 1997, served as Venerable
Master in 2001, was elected to receive the Rank and Decoration
of Knight Commander Court of Honour in 2000, and was invested
with this honor in Charleston, S.C., on October 3, 2001.
Bro. Scrivener also serves as Director on the Scottish Rite
Foundation of Virginia. |
