August 1999

Russian Delegation Visits The House Of The Temple | Grand Commander Issues Challenge To Match Clinic Funds | Portsmouth Program Honors Distinguished Service To Youth | Ill. Bunnell Installed In Virginia | JROTC Awards In Kansas

Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, was pleased to welcome members of a delegation of Brethren from the Grand Lodge of Russia to the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C., during an informal visit on June 4, 1999. Then, on June 7, accompanied by Bro. Robert G. Watkins, 32°, K.C.C.H., personal advisor to Lieutenant Grand Commander Dergachev, 33°, Supreme Council of Russia, the full delegation returned to enjoy a tour of the Temple. Photographed above in Grand Commander Kleinknecht’s office (l. to r.) are: Bro. Todor Kostov, 4°, Worshipful Master of an international Traveling Lodge, Brotherly Love No. 10, city of Moscow, under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Russia; Bro. Christopher D. Sahakian, 32°, K.C.C.H., a member of the Valley of Washington, D.C., and the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Russia to the Grand Lodge of Washington, D.C.; Ill. George B. Dergachev, 33°, Lieutenant Grand Commander, Supreme Council of Russia; and Ill. Vladimir Dzhangiryan, 33°, Grand Chancellor, Supreme Council of Russia, with his wife, Marianna.

Effective June 1, 1999, Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht issued a special promotional pledge of $6,000 from the Supreme Council’s Language Disorders Special Fund to Orients where matching funds are raised by July 30, 1999, in support of that Orient’s Childhood Language Disorders Clinics, Centers, or Programs. Checks will be issued to each successful Orient Foundation for distribution as soon as word is received that this pledge has been matched or exceeded. Many Orients met a similar fund-raising challenge by the Grand Commander in 1998, and he has every confidence, again, in the fund-raising skills of the Brethren. He hopes this challenge will generate an enthusiastic response of cash and pledges from Masons and non-Masons alike in support of local Scottish Rite Clinics, Centers, and Programs throughout the Southern Jurisdiction.

The Brethren of the Valley of Portsmouth, Virginia, have continued their recognition of community contributions by establishing a Distinguished Service to Youth Award. The award is presented to an individual in recognition of dedicated and outstanding service to youth by teaching them to make the community a better place in which to live. Similar to the Blue Lodge Community Builder’s Award, the difference is that it can be given to Masons and non-Masons alike and that it is specifically for contributions to youth. 

On May 3, 1999, in Portsmouth, Virginia, Dr. Thomas J. Ishom (l.) received the Valley’s first Distinguished Service to Youth Award. Tommy Byrum (r.), presented a history of Dr. Ishom’s contributions to the Boy Scouts of America, and Ill. John R. Goodwin, 33°, Chairman, Valley of Portsmouth Committee on Education and Americanism (center), presented the award to Dr. Ishom.

 The future of Freemasonry, as with other organizations, lies in the youth of our communities. Those individuals who work with our youth, therefore, have a direct impact upon our future by increasing the positive public profile of the Scottish Rite. On May 3, 1999, at a dinner served previous to a stated meeting, the Distinguished Service to Youth Award was presented by Illustrious John R. Goodwin, 33°, Chairman, Valley of Portsmouth Committee on Education and Americanism, to Dr. Thomas J. Ishom. Dr. Ishom served as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 212 for three years. During that time, Troop 212 had more Scouts attain the rank of Eagle than any other troop in the district. Tommy Byrum, Commissioner for the District Roundtable, was on hand to give a history of Dr. Ishom’s many accomplishments which include the Scoutmaster’s Key and the District Award of Merit, which is the highest award granted by the District. He is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow and has served many years as the medical person for their activities. Currently, Dr. Ishom serves on the District Committee and continues his efforts to help the youth of his community. It should be noted that Dr. Ishom has three sons who have each attained the rank of Eagle. Also, two have been awarded the Vigil honor in the Order of the Arrow. Clearly, Dr. Ishom deserves the Distinguished Service to Youth Award. The Brethren of the Valley of Portsmouth intend to give this Distinguished Service to Youth Award annually. It is hoped that this program will be supported and adopted by other Valleys in the Southern Jurisdiction to reinforce the public’s awareness of the Rite as a valued community partner. To the dynamic Brethren of Portsmouth, congratulations on a job well done!

Ill. Ray L. Bunnell, 33°, Superintendent of the House of the Temple, and Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Scottish Rite Research Society, was installed as Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of Virginia, Order of the Eastern Star, on May 19, 1999, in Roanoke, Virginia, before an assemblage of about 1,000 Eastern Star members and Masonic dignitaries. Among the latter were Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C., Grand Executive Director of the Supreme Council, 33°, and Brother Robert L. Baker, 32°, K.C.C.H., Past Most Worthy Grand Patron. Pictured (l. to r.) are Diane H. Kitchin, newly installed Worthy Grand Matron, and Ill. Bro. Bunnell.

Since its inception, the Supreme Council’s JROTC Education and Americanism Award has rapidly become a sought-after recognition by fine young Cadets in middle school and high school JROTC programs throughout the Southern Jurisdiction. From November 1997, when the program was started, to May 26, 1999, a total of 2,182 JROTC kits (consisting of a handsome medallion, ribbon, and certificate) have been distributed. The Valley of Wichita, Kansas, for instance, has had great success. With the end of this school year, Wichita’s list of recipients is growing as evidenced by these Cadet Honorees: John Bailey, Heights High School; Taylor Bunch, Wilbur Middle School; Alix Butterworth, Curtis Middle School; Stephanie Copeland, West High School; Sara Greep, North High School; Andrew Peterson, Northwest High School; Terrence Reed, Southeast High School; Vinh Tran, Pleasant Valley Middle School; and Lexi Williams, Derby High School, Derby, Kansas. The Wichita Scottish Rite proudly salutes these Junior ROTC Cadets!
 

Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet John Bailey of Heights High School, Wichita, Kansas, proudly displays his Supreme Council Education and Americanism Award. Pictured (l. to r.) are presenter Van A. McClemore, 32°, K.C.C.H.; Cadet John Bailey; proud parents Jim and Linda Bailey; Wichita Scottish Rite Pipes & Drums Corp Major, Ill. Gary D. Thompson, 33°, co-presenter.

Requests for the JROTC Award should be channeled through the Scottish Rite Valley nearest the locale of the Cadet recommended for this honor. If the location of the nearest Valley is not known, information is available from the national headquarters. Either call 202–232–3579, or fax your request to 202–387–1843, or write to: The Supreme Council, 33°, 1733 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009–3103.