Current Interest

Current Interest
~ May-June 2005~

Stephen M. Munsinger, 33°, Appointed Deputy in Colorado

Effective March 1, 2005, Sovereign Grand Commander Ronald A. Seale, 33°, appointed Stephen Michael Munsinger, 33°, as Deputy of the Supreme Council in the Orient of Colorado. Ill. Munsinger succeeds Ill. Dwight A. Hamilton, 33°, SGIG in Colo. and Grand Treasurer General of the Supreme Council, 33°, who resigned effective March 1, 2005.

Deputy Munsinger was born in Eureka, Kansas, on November 15, 1942. He received his early education through high school in the small town of Howard, Kansas. Bro. Munsinger graduated from Kansas State College at Pittsburgh, Kansas, with a BA in economics and political science. He is married to the former Susan Vaughan, a school teacher and administrator with the Jefferson County Public Schools.

He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant Field Artillery, U.S. Army Reserve, on graduation from college. He then worked on an advanced degree in economics and as a teaching assistant at Northern Illinois University until ordered to active duty in early 1966.

Ill. Munsinger was certified as an army aviator helicopter pilot in Vietnam and achieved the rank of Captain. He also served as the executive officer of a gun ship platoon of an independent aviation company based at Soe Trang in the Delta area. He received the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with 37 Oak Leaf Clusters and with V Devise for Valor, the Viet Nam Combat Medal with Devise, the Purple Heart, Two Overseas Campaign Bars, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

After his military service, he attended the University of Colorado School of Law, graduating in 1971 with the degree of Juris Doctor. Ill. Munsinger has been very active as a practicing Attorney-at-Law. In 1972, Ill. Munsinger was appointed Deputy District Attorney for Denver, Colorado; in 1973 he was appointed Chief Deputy; in 1975 he became Assistant U.S. Attorney for the State and District of Colorado; and in 1976 he became Chief of the Criminal Division. In 2001 Ill. Munsinger became District Court Judge, Jefferson County, Colorado, and holds that position at the present time.

Ill. Munsinger was raised a Master Mason on December 1, 1973, in Centennial Lodge #151, Denver, Colorado. In 1998 he became the MW Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Colorado, A.F.&A.M. He was coroneted a 33° Mason in 1993 and served as the personal representative to the SGIG at Denver Consistory until this appointment. He belongs to the York Rite and is a member of El Jebel Shrine.

In addition to all of these Masonic activities, Ill. Bro. Munsinger is Past Master of Perfection Lodge #193, Chairman, Jurisprudence Committee, Grand Lodge of Colorado, and Past Master of Kadosh, Rocky Mountain Consistory.

B. B. French Lodge Holds Banquet
and Lectures as Part of Masonic Week

On February 9, members and guests enjoyed a catered reception and dinner at the House of the Temple followed by a special meeting of Benjamin B. French Lodge #15. Photo: Bro. Ted Berry, 32°, KCCH

On February 9, 2005, the House of the Temple hosted an event sponsored by Benjamin Brown French Lodge #15 in the District of Columbia. The theme for the evening was “The Masonic Phoenix: Renewing Freemasonry for the 21st Century.” More than 75 people were in attendance for the evening’s program, an annual presentation that coincides with Masonic Week. The evening began in the beautiful Atrium with guests talking and enjoying tours of many of the Temple’s rooms, including the Library, the new Albert Pike room, and others. The dinner was held downstairs in the George Washington Banquet Hall and was presided over by Brother Ted Berry, 32°, KCCH, Worshipful Master of B. B. French Lodge.

The program of the evening was held in the Main Temple room and consisted of three speakers: Bros. Jay M. Kinney, 32°, Librarian and Research Director for the Scottish Rite Valley of San Francisco, Calif.; Dennis Chornenky, 32°, President of the Masonic Restoration Foundation; and Ill. Robert G. Davis, 33°, Grand Cross, Executive Secretary of the Scottish Rite Bodies in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Bro. Kinney began the program with his talk on “The Care and Feeding of Phoenixes.” He said that we should strive to continue our traditions while exploring thoughtful innovations, and he recommended that we should allow our younger members the opportunity to experiment and to lead.

Bro. Chornenky talked about “Freemasonry as an Initiatic Path.” He explained that for many, the experience of initiation is not a one-time event, and he talked about Freemasonry’s use of symbols to teach universal truths and continue ancient traditions. Bro. Chornenky also discussed the role of the Masonic Restoration Foundation (www.masonicrestoration.com) in the development of “traditional observance lodges.”

Ill. Davis continued the discussion of “Traditional Observance Lodges” and the Masonic Restoration Foundation. He began by asking the question “How can we make good men better if the place where this work is done isn’t properly cared for?” He observed that oftentimes our behavior in lodge is no different than that in the profane world and suggested that we ought to elevate our conduct when within the lodge. He concluded by proclaiming that we must take great care of this private and sacred studio of self-discovery because no other place like it exists in the world.

A lively question and answer session followed the program. All agreed that they looked forward to Masonic Week 2006 and Benjamin B. French Lodge’s banquet and lectures. For more information on this annual event, contact Bro. Ted Berry, 8523 Pelham Road, Bethesda, MD 20817; tedberry@bbf15.zzn.com.

New Grand Organist of the Supreme Council

Photo: Elizabeth A. Williams, The Scottish Rite Journal

Ill. F. Reed Brown, 33°, pictured right, has been appointed Grand Organist of the Supreme Council, 33°, S.J., by SGC Ronald A. Seale, 33°. Ill. Brown has been a member of the American Guild of Organists since 1965, served as Organist and Choir Master of the Martini Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Md., for 10 years, and is currently Grand Organist of the Grand Lodge of Virginia. He studied music at Western Maryland College in Westminster, Md., majored in Business Administration at the Johns Hopkins University, pursued studies at the Program for Ministers and Deacons with the United Metaphysical Churches, and was ordained by the denomination in 1971. An honorary Doctor of Divine Wisdom was conferred on Rev. Brown in 1996 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City by the New Seminary in recognition of his “many years of dedicated service and innumerable contributions to the spiritual awakening and healing of the human family.” He has been the Pastor of the Arlington Metaphysical Chapel for 21 years and is the President of the Board of Trustees and Senior Seminary Advisor for the United Metaphysical Churches headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia. Bro. Brown resides in Falls Church, Virginia.

In his Masonic activities Ill. Brown is a Past Master of Cherrydale Lodge #42, Arlington, Virginia, Past Patron of Arlington Chapter #39, OES, Virginia, and is currently lodge musician as well as Organist for the Alexandria, Va., Scottish Rite Bodies. He joined the Arlington Scottish Rite in 1987 and served as Master of Kadosh in 1999. He received the KCCH in 1995 and was coroneted a 33° in 1999.

Adm. William G. Sizemore, 33°, Grand Cross,
and Students Honored in W. Va.

On the evening of Saturday, February 26, 2005, the Valley of Charleston, West Virginia was pleased to host Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°, Grand Cross, Grand Executive Director, and his lovely wife Hellen. The Admiral spoke to the winners of the annual Americanism Essay Contest and those JROTC Cadets present and being recognized during the annual George Washington Banquet.

More than 200 were present as the Admiral and Ill. C.B. Hall, 33°, SGIG in West Virginia, presented certificates and medals to the JROTC honorees and certificates and cash awards to the winners of the Americanism Essay Contest. Ill. Jim J. Crawford, Sr., 33°, Personal Representative in the Valley of Charleston, and Ill. Harold Moore, 33°, Orient Chair for Americanism and Education, were proud to announce that more than 70 essays were entered, and five High Schools were represented by their JROTC Officers and Cadets.

During the banquet, among the introductions was Sergeant Todd Smith, recently returned from duty in Iraq, and Bro. Donald H. “Bearcat” Jarvis, 32°, (pictured above right with Admiral Sizemore) who served aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy with Adm. Sizemore some 37 years earlier, they both being Captains at the time.

Very special gifts were presented to the Admiral and Hellen. A vase from Fenton Glassware designed and hand-blown by Ill. David Fetty, 33°, General Secretary in the Valley of Parkersburg, was given to Hellen, and a hand-made glass paperweight with an American flag in it was given to the Admiral.

Pictured above left at the JROTC awards ceremony are (l. to r.): SGIG C.B. Hall, 33°, Cadets Andrew Myers, Adam Stonestreet, Brian Martin, James Lowry, Erica Fisher, Katherine Muehnickel, and Adm. William G.Sizemore, 33°, GC. Pictured above right are (l. to r.): SGIG Hall, Advisor Mary Ann Carr, Essay Winners Elizabeth Spencer, Amber Henson, Brittany Gibson, Adm. Sizemore, and Principal Clinton Giles.

Submitted by Gary J. Frame, 33°, General Secretary of Charleston, W.Va.

Update on the Scottish Rite National Disaster
Relief Scholarship Fund

On September 9, 2002, the Scottish Rite Foundation, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, Inc., launched the Scottish Rite National Disaster Relief Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships to the families of victims killed or injured in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and during related rescue efforts. Each year, for up to 20 years, the Scottish Rite Foundation, S.J. will pay $50,000 to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund of Scholarship America, which distributes the scholarships to eligible individuals on behalf of the Scottish Rite. Scholarships are for $5,000 each, and up to 10 scholarships can be funded each year.

In the last quarter of 2004, eight more scholarships, totaling $22,500, were given to individuals for study at accredited schools during the 2005 school year. The total amount that has been awarded to all recipients as of December 31, 2004, is $122,500. The awards have been for study at accredited colleges and graduate schools. Of the newest scholarship recipients, six of the eight are the children of victims; and two recipients are spouses of victims. The recipients are majoring in the following disciplines: Medicine, Law, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Finance, Fine Arts, and Fashion Design/Marketing. The Scottish Rite Brethren should be very proud of providing these scholarships to help individuals who lost so much on September 11, 2001.

Special Presentation from the National Grand Lodge of Romania

Photo: Ill. William R. Miller, 33°, SGIG in Washington

The Supreme Council, 33°, S.J., was presented with a special anniversary medallion and plaque from the National Grand Lodge of Romania in celebration of 125 years of existence of the Grand Lodge. SGC Ronald A. Seale, 33°, accepted the gifts from RW Bro. Dan Tanasie, Grand Secretary of Romania, on behalf of the Supreme Council. The award recognizes the Supreme Council’s “entire activity dedicated to Humanity and Peace Ideals.” The presentation was made during the 2005 Conference of Grand Masters of North America held this year in Calgary, Alberta.

Watching the presentation in the background is Thomas W. Jackson, 33°, Past Grand Secretary of Pennsylvania, Book Review Editor of the Northern Light, and member of the Steering Committee of the Masonic Information Center of the Masonic Service Association of North America.

Supreme Council CFO Raised a Master Mason in Virginia

Present at the ceremony were: (l. to r.) SGC Ronald A. Seale, PM, East Gate Lodge #452, Baton Rouge, La.; S. Brent Morris, PM, Patmos Lodge #70, Ellicott City, Md.; Travis S. Hilliard, 32°, WM, Cherrydale Lodge #42, Arlington, Va.; Jorge I. Franchi, 3°; William G. Sizemore, PM, Cherrydale Lodge; and Dean R. Alban, WM, Stephenson Lodge #135, Darlington, Md.

Jorge Franchi, Chief Financial Officer of the Supreme Council, 33°, S.J., received the Master Mason’s Degree in Cherrydale Lodge #42, Arlington, Va., on March 22, 2005. Bro. Franchi joined the staff of the Supreme Council in September 2004 and soon thereafter decided to become a Mason. He petitioned Cherrydale Lodge and started his journey to the East, which culminated with his raising to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. Attending the degree were several of his co-workers including Ill. Bros. Ronald A. Seale, 33°, Grand Commander; William G. Sizemore, 33°, Grand Cross, Grand Executive Director; S. Brent Morris, 33°, Grand Cross, Managing Editor, Scottish Rite Journal; and Dean R. Alban, 33°, Director of Information Services. Presiding over the evening was Bro. Travis S. Hilliard, 32°, Worshipful Master of Cherrydale Lodge.

Ill. Joe A. Diele, 33°, Grand Cross, 1918–2005

Ill. Joe Angelo Diele, 33°, Grand Cross, Deputy Emeritus for Japan and Korea, passed away at the age of 87 on March 25, 2005, at the Ft. Miley Veterans Hospital in San Francisco, Calif. Ill. Diele is survived by his wife Adeline and daughter Diana, who were at his side to the end.
Ill. Diele was born in Primero, Colorado, on March 10, 1918, and attended schools in Colorado. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1941 and served in the 45th Infantry Division. After being commissioned, he received B-17 pilot training, flew 51 combat missions in Europe, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and other decorations. He was integrated into the regular U.S. Air Force in 1956, returned to the U.S., and served as an instructor Pilot and Aircraft Commander. He attended the University of Maryland Criminal Investigation Schools and was a Special Investigations Officer. He next attended the U.S. Forces Institute Japanese Language Program and was reassigned to Japan as Chief, Liaison Division in the Office of Special Investigations. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1961 with the rank of Major. Ill. Diele then began a successful business career serving as Assistant Manager of the Kokusai Pearl Export Company, Director of Purchasing for the Capehart Corporation, General Manager of Design Studio, and Vice President of Panametrics Corporation.

Ill. Diele became a Master Mason in Lodge Hiogo and Osaka No. 498, Scottish Constitution, in Kobe, Japan, and then affiliated in 1967 with Sinim Lodge under the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, in Tokyo. He served as Master of Sinim Lodge in 1972-73 and was the District Deputy Grand Master for the China District of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tokyo Masonic Association for several years, overseeing their extensive charity programs and the planning and construction of the present Tokyo Masonic Center. Ill. Bro. Diele received the Joseph Warren Medal from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and the Takashi Komatsu Distinguished Service Medal from the Grand Lodge of Japan. He was an Honorary Past Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Japan and an Honorary Marshal of the District Grand Lodge of Scotland in Hong Kong.

In 1968 Ill. Diele received the 32° and went on to serve as Wise Master, Commander, and Venerable Master of the Tokyo Bodies. In 1973 he received the KCCH, in 1975 the 33°, and in 1976 Ill. Diele was appointed Deputy for Japan and Korea, a position he filled with distinction until his retirement in November 2004. In 2001 the Supreme Council honored him with its highest honor, the Grand Cross of the Court of Honour.

The Supreme Council and Brethren in Japan, Korea, and throughout the Jurisdiction join the family and friends of Ill. Bro. Joe A. Diele in mourning the passing of such an exceptionally dedicated Freemason.