Current Interest -- December 1999

Thanks A Million!

In the November 1999 Scottish Rite Journal, Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, was very pleased to note the establishment of the Sam and Millie Hilburn Scholarship Fund. Ill. Sam E. Hilburn, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Texas and Grand Treasurer General of the Supreme Council, with his beloved wife, Millie (pictured right), donated $200,000 to begin a two-year scholarship of $5,000 each year.

The scholarship will help train graduate students in the field of Childhood Language Disorders, especially for the treatment of dyslexia and other reading-related problems. Over the years, it is hoped this fund will expand to $1 million dollars or more.
In addition, the same issue of the Scottish Rite Journal carried a "Current Interest" item about another generous gift to Freemasonry by the Hilburns, the Sam and Millie Hilburn Family Room and Chapel at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas.

On September 15, 1999, Dr. J. A. "Tony" Herring, M.D., 32°, Chief of Staff for the hospital, noted at the dedication of the rooms that "having an appealing waiting environment and chapel available for families will help ease their feelings of anxiousness and make the waiting period as comfortable as possible."

Now Ill. Hilburn and his lady have gone beyond these already generous gifts! During a 1999 Biennial Session meeting of the Supreme Council, in a surprise announcement met by a prolonged standing ovation, Inspector Hilburn revealed he and Millie are donating $1 million to the Scottish Rite Foundation, S.J., U.S.A.

Brother Sam and Millie, from all Scottish Rite Masons, "Thanks a million!"

Christmas Comes Early In Iowa

Masonic Lodges in and around Cedar Rapids, Iowa, assisted by the Iowa Grand Lodge Charity Fund, have a special "Clothes for Kids" program that gets children dressed for school and the holidays. Each year, well before Christmas and Hanukkah, Brethren and their wives take children on a shopping spree. The children, ages 6 through 12, are selected by the Salvation Army. Transportation is provided by school buses from the Cedar Rapids Community School District, and Trinity United Methodist Church donates use of a van. Three Brothers from Marion Lodge No. 6, Marion, Iowa, in particular, are instrumental in making the program a success: David M. Rumney, 32°, Jr. Warden, Valley of Cedar Rapids; W.M. Dale G. Roberge II, 32°, Valley of Cedar Rapids; and Kelly F. Mulford, Sr. Warden.

Brethren and their ladies, assisted by Sears, provide a pre-holiday shopping spree to needy children in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Generally, about 60 children are picked up from their homes at 6:30 am and taken to the Sears store at Lindall Mall in Cedar Rapids before the store opens. There some 70 Masons and their ladies are waiting to take the children throughout the store, wherever each child's shopping list, provided by his or her parents, directs. School clothes are top-line items, and each child can spend over $100 during two hours of shopping. Not only do Sears associates report to work early to help the children, but Sears provides a generous discount on all purchases.

There are always plenty of smiles (and a few tears) as the scene unfolds. In one instance, a Sears associate had to tell a Brother his ward was over the allotted amount. "That's no problem," he said. "I'll cover it." In the shoe department, one 10-year-old boy was overheard saying, "This is the very first pair of new shoes I have ever had." In the clothing section, a child trying on a winter coat observed, "If I can have this coat, I won't be cold this winter." On being thanked for her part in the program, one Sears associate declared, "Because of these children, this has already been the best Christmas I ever had." After shopping, the children are taken to the Cedar Rapids Masonic Temple where the folks at Quaker Oats and Swiss Valley Farms provide a hearty breakfast of juice, milk, cereal, pancakes, and sausage. Thanks to everyone for this great event!

Oklahoma Lodges Spread Holiday Cheer

The members of Kingston Lodge No. 287, Kingston, Oklahoma, and of the Lodge's Eastern Star Chapter host a series of fund-raisers each year in order to make the holiday season a little nicer for the children of Marshall County. Last year, for instance, the Kingston Angels Christmas Program raised over $5,000 and hosted a family dinner where Santa was a hit with the children.

Other Lodges had similar philanthropic programs in preparation for the holiday season. Among them were Guthrie Lodge No. 35 which presented toys to a local philanthropy, Action Inc., for distribution to area children. Carnegie Lodge No. 294 continued its traditional program of distributing 20 new or refurbished bicycles to local children. Hugo Lodge No. 217 offered a $1,100 challenge grant to local citizens and businesses. This resulted in over 100 toys being distributed. Members of Yukon Lodge No. 90 rang bells for the Salvation Army's annual Christmas drive, helped raise funds for Home Energy Day, and used the Lodge's Potato and Ice Cream Bar fund-raiser to benefit Project Graduation. This program provides a drug-free, alcohol-free, all-night graduation party for high school seniors. Woodward Lodge No. 189 provided toys to the Woodward County Toy Giveaway, and Norman Lodge No. 38 provided a "Step N Go Cycle" to the J. D. McCarty Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities. The cycle (pictured right) is very useful in physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Record Scottish Rite Audience Enjoys Mel Tillis Concert

Double the number of Scottish Rite Masons who attended the first Benefit Concert last year enjoyed the second annual concert held in the Mel Tillis Theater in Branson, Missouri on October 11, 1999. A total of 755 Brethren and guests attended, with the Orients of Texas (157) and Missouri (125) having the most Scottish Rite Brethren present. Runners-up were Kansas (86) and Arkansas (76) with Oklahoma (45), Louisiana (44), and Iowa (44) as contenders.

Concert proceeds of over $31,000 were split 50/50 this year by special agreement between Mrs. Dorothy Ives and Brother Mel. Half of the proceeds go to the House of the Temple Historic Preservation Foundation, Inc., to provide funding for the maintenance of the Burl Ives Collection which is displayed in the Scottish Rite Museum/Library in the House of the Temple, Washington, D.C. The other half of the proceeds go to the Scottish Rite Foundation, S.J., U.S.A., Inc., to be distributed, on a pro-rated basis, for the benefit of local Scottish Rite clinics, to Valleys who sold concert tickets.

A Masonic highlight of the evening came when Grand Commander Kleinknecht presented Ill. Tillis with his Grand Cross cap and jewel. The Grand Cross is the Scottish Rite's highest honor to which the Supreme Council unanimously elected Brother Tillis during the 1999 Biennial Session. As if anticipating the consideration of Ill. Tillis for this honor, the Statutes of the Supreme Council use the following words to indicate the qualifications of Grand Cross nominees: "for signal services and unusual merit," candidates to be chosen from the ranks of those who have already achieved the 33rd Degree, Inspectors General Honorary.

The festive evening's concert celebrated country music and featured, in addition to Bro. Mel himself (pictured above left), Ill. Tillis' daughters and grandchildren, each a born performer. Mrs. Ives shared videotape of Brother Burl in performance, and Ill. Burl's longtime friend Randy Sparks, who performed with Becky Jo Benson, reminisced about his many years on and off stage with Brother Burl. After the performance, Ill. Mel Tillis, G.C., invited all Scottish Rite Brethren and guests backstage for a personal visit and tour of the Mel Tillis Theater.

In all, it was a delightful evening, and Ill. Tillis predicts that next year's benefit concert will snowball into an even bigger event. Plan on being there!

Ill. Dan Glickman, 33°, Secretary Department of Agriculture,
Addresses 75th Anniversary Scottish Rite Conference of Virginia

The Diamond Anniversary Session of the Scottish Rite Conference of Virginia was held September 24–25, 1999, at the Hyatt Fair Lakes Hotel, Fairfax, Virginia. The Brethren of the host Valley, Alexandria, Virginia, led by Ill. Harold J. Jennings, Jr., 33°, 1999 President of the conference, and Ill. David Kruger, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Virginia, did a magnificent job of organizing a productive and memorable meeting.

A highlight of the two-day session was the appearance of Ill. Dan Glickman, 33° (pictured right), Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), who spoke at the Saturday evening banquet. He recollected his coronation, along with Ill. Mel Tillis, 33°, as an Inspector General Honorary during a special conferral which took place on December 15, 1997, in the House of the Temple. Also, he reminisced about his grandfather, a Russian/Ukrainian immigrant who settled in Wichita, Kansas. Glad to be in America from the moment of his arrival on these shores, Ill. Glickman's grandfather told his grandson that he never fully felt he was an American until after he became a member of Albert Pike Lodge No. 303 in Wichita, Kansas.

Encouraged by Ill. Jerry W. Cole, 33°, Past Master of Albert Pike Lodge No. 303, Secretary Glickman joined his grandfather's Lodge and was raised a Master Mason in 1984. Curiously, in researching his family's history, he found his grandfather had demonstrated his pride in being a Freemason by entrusting his immigration papers and even family letters to the archives of Albert Pike Lodge No. 303.

Also, as he travels about the world fulfilling his duties as Secretary of Agriculture, Ill. Glickman said he is always pleased and surprised to see how many of the leaders he meets are Masons. This fact immediately establishes a common bond and creates a bridge of understanding that benefits his work as Secretary of Agriculture and the nation.

Following these personal and Masonic reminiscences, Ill. Glickman shared some insights regarding the extensive contributions of the USDA to America today. These range from the National School Lunch Program and food inspection to farm support programs, food banks, agricultural research, and public heath concerns, such as water and sewage systems for small communities. In all, the USDA can be credited in large part for assuring our nation has a stable, secure, and safe food supply at less than the cost expended per citizen by many other countries in the world.

The Saturday evening banquet was the culmination of two days of beneficial committee meetings dedicated to Degree work, education and Americanism programs, membership, fraternal relations, Masonic youth groups, and other important topics. In addition, several distinguished guests attended and addressed the conference. Among them were M.W. George H. Chapin, 33°, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia; Ill. William B. Brunk, 33°, S.G.I.G. in North Carolina; Bro. Douglas L. Jordan, 32°, K.C.C.H., Grand High Priest, Virginia Royal Arch; Bro. John R. Wigglesworth, 32°, Grand Commander of Knights Templar in Virginia; Bro. Richard B. Baldwin, 32°, K.C.C.H., Grand Captain General, Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the USA; and Ill. Howard K. Smith, 33°, Virginia State Executive Officer, Order of DeMolay.

Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, was honored to attend the Friday evening banquet, congratulated the Brethren on their fine work, and offered a fund-raising challenge. He promised the Supreme Council would match dollar-for-dollar all individual donations made during the conference to Virginia's Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Program. The Brethren responded with donations totaling over $10,000! Then, accepting the suggestion of Ill. David Kruger, the conference members agreed to donate the resulting joint contribution of $20,000 to the support of the Richmond Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center, and Judge James B. Wilkinson, 33°, Orient Personal Representative, warmly seconded the decision.

Another highlight of the Friday evening banquet related to the Virginia Orient's outstanding support of the Childhood Language Disorders Program. Dr. Nicholas W. Bankson, Chairman, Communication Sciences & Disorders Department, James Madison University, introduced three student clinicians—Jodi Jacoby, Kristen Ford, and Sandra Alexander—who spoke briefly of their experiences with the Scottish Rite Summer Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders at James Madison University and thanked the Brethren for the scholarship support they have received from the Scottish Rite Foundation of Virginia.

Also, Ill. Kruger, as Treasurer of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Virginia, thanked Dr. John W. Boettjer, 33°, G.C., Managing Editor of the Scottish Rite Journal, for his outstanding work in bringing the Virginia Foundation's new children's book, Loving Hearts, Big and Small, to completion. Inspector Kruger presented Dr. Boettjer with a "Kruger Bear" stuffed doll as a token of appreciation, and Ill. Boettjer thanked all involved, particularly Ill. William B. Benson, Sr., 33°, Secretary, and the Brethren of the Valley of Portsmouth, Virginia, for initiating and supporting this project. The book will be featured in the April 2000 Scottish Rite Journal as a fine gift for a child (ages 3 to 6), novel token of appreciation, fresh approach to fund-raising, and a means of raising the Rite's positive profile with the general public.

Participating in the recent Scottish Rite Conference of Virginia were (l. to r.) Ill. Bros. William B. Brunk, S.G.I.G. in North Carolina; John W. Boettjer, G.C., Managing Editor, Scottish Rite Journal (holding a "Kruger Bear" stuffed doll, a clinic fund-raising project of the Scottish Rite in Virginia); C. Fred Kleinknecht, Sovereign Grand Commander; M.W. George H. Chapin, Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Virginia; and David Kruger, S.G.I.G. in Virginia and Grand Secretary General of the Supreme Council, 33°.

The Friday evening banquet's entertainment was provided by vocal soloist Bro. Gerald J. Connelly, III, 32°, K.C.C.H., who presented a medley of classic American melodies, ending with a stirring rendition of "Proud To Be an American." He was beautifully accompanied on the piano by his wife, Judy.

Due to the careful planning and participation of many Brethren, the 75th Anniversary meeting of the Scottish Rite Conference of Virginia was a great success and a significant step forward for Scottish Rite Masonry in the Old Dominion State.

Three Generations of Master Masons In Arkansas

Three generations of the Crum family are now Master Masons in the same Lodge, Atkins Lodge No. 172, Atkins, Arkansas. They are (l. to r. in photo): B. Daniel Crum, Garry Crum, and S. L. "Doc" Crum. Bro. Daniel was made a Master Mason on June 18, 1999, with the assistance of his father and grandfather.

WWII Veterans Dedicate Friendship Memorial

A contingent of American and German Veterans gathered at Schmidt, Germany, on September 11, 1999, to dedicate a stone (photo left) commemorating the friendship that has developed between them since they fought there 55 years ago. Schmidt was a major objective in the Hurtgen Forest Battle, which began in mid-September 1944 and lasted until mid-February 1945. During that time, 11 U.S. Divisions were involved in the seesaw battle and experienced the loss of more than 20,000 men. Nine German Divisions were involved, and they suffered similar losses.

The dedication involved placing a stone monument honoring two representative military units, the German 89th Infantry Division and the U.S. 707th Tank Battalion. The monument is intended to represent all who fought in the battle. The Friendship Memorial is a gift from a benevolent Dutch resident, Ron Van Ryt, who is a longtime promoter of friendship between the two wartime enemies.

Harro Kunst spoke on behalf of the German units, and Retired Reserve Colonel Don Lavender, 33°, Valley of Des Moines, Iowa, spoke on behalf of the American units. Ill. Lavender was an enlisted man and member of the 39th Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in the Hurtgen Battle. He said, in part: "Today we come together mindful of the many years since that have brought an understanding and a friendship which once seemed impossible as we faced death together on the field of battle. Feeling we must have been spared for a purpose, we have endeavored to live better lives. We hope memorials such as this may have some influence on those who follow, reminding them of the futility of war and encouraging them to find some other way."

Santa In Cheyenne

Corey overwhelmed Santa with his wish list during last year's holiday party at the Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

McAlester, Oklahoma, Centennial Masonic Day

McAlester Centennial Masonic Day was front-page news, with color illustrations and a feature story titled "As Sturdy as Stone, Masons Have Helped Build McAlester," for the Sunday McAlester News–Capital & Democrat newspaper on September 26, 1999. The articles previewed a day of Masonic events celebrating the city's centennial via the first public presentation, to take place the following day, of the 17th Degree in the McAlester, Oklahoma, Scottish Rite Masonic Center. The history-making event, which was approved by Ill. Paul T. Million, Jr., 33°, S.G.I.G. in Oklahoma, and Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, attracted a large public and Masonic audience.

Monday's daylong centennial observances began with the removal of the cornerstone of the Pittsburgh County Courthouse and its opening to reveal a time capsule embedded in the cornerstone when it was laid by the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma in 1927. Contemporary historical artifacts were then deposited in the cornerstone, and the stone was replaced in Masonic ceremony by the Grand Lodge officers of Oklahoma led by M.W. William C. "Bill" Clure, Jr., 33°. All the items found in the 1927 time capsule will be placed on display in the courthouse.

Following this occasion, a cornerstone was placed for the new Lodge building for McAlester Lodge No. 550 and the new building dedicated in full Masonic ceremonies. Then, starting at 2:00 pm, the public was invited to tour the McAlester Scottish Rite Temple, and at 5:30 pm, a buffet was served to celebrate the Feast of Tishri. Ill. Jim Tresner, 33°, G.C., spoke on the significance of the Masonic celebration of Tishri, the biblical origins of the holiday, and the character of the 17th Degree, Knight of the East and West, which was presented following the opening program. Other speakers prior to the Degree were: Ill. Bartis M. Kent, 33°, Personal Representative; Ill. Million; and M.W. Grand Master Clure. The Degree was very effectively done with full costume, scenery, and musical accompaniment. At the close of the Degree presentation, a standing ovation was spontaneously given by the audience and continued until all the Degree's participants and workers appeared on stage.

Congratulations to the McAlester Brethren for making such a significant Masonic contribution to their community's centennial celebration!

100th Birthday Party

Illustrious Brother Glen Valentine Culp, 33°, celebrated the 100th anniversary of his birth at his home in Salt Lake City in August 1999. The event was attended by family members and Masonic leaders in Utah and was featured on the evening news by two local television stations. Bro. Culp was born on August 17, 1899, and has lived in the Salt Lake City area all his life. He had a very successful livestock business and was well-known in the sheep industry. Bro. Culp has enjoyed a very distinguished career in Utah Masonry. He is a Past Master of Progress Lodge No. 22 in Salt Lake City, having been raised on March 12, 1921. He is the senior Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Utah (1962), the senior Past Potentate of El Kalah Shrine Temple (1961), and a Past Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons in Utah (1968). A 77-year member of the Scottish Rite, Bro. Culp was created a Master of the Royal Secret on April 4, 1922, invested with the Rank and Decoration of K.C.C.H. on October 10, 1947, and coroneted a 33° Inspector General Honorary on October 18, 1955. On January 1 of the year 2000, Bro. Culp will have the unique distinction of having lived in three centuries.

Tennessee Masons And Habitat For Humanity Work Together To Build More Houses

Continuing its partnership with local Habitat for Humanity (HFH) affiliates,* Tennessee Brethren recently completed one house and began another. The 1999 Tennessee Grand Master's Work Project (GMWP), which was built in partnership with Lexington/Henderson County HFH, was begun in June and completed and dedicated on Sunday September 12, 1999. Ill. Brother Bill Whisel 33° (currently Venerable Master of the Memphis Scottish Rite Bodies) served as building supervisor and project coordinator.

This house was built in memory of a grandson of Past Grand Master Ill. Bro. Alton Tollison's, 33°, Valley of Memphis, and two grandchildren of Past Grand Master and current West Tennessee Grand Lecturer Ill. Brother J. D. "Tex" Tisdale 33°, Valley of Memphis. M.W. Brother Tollison's grandson died in 1997 after a long battle with cancer; M.W. Brother Tisdale's two grandchildren drowned accidentally in the summer of 1997.

This memorial was done in appreciation of Past Grand Master Tollison's initiating the HFH partnership and for M.W. Bro. Tisdale's support and promotion of the program. M.W. Tisdale is shown presenting a Bible to new homeowner Linda Smith. Looking on are Ill. Bill Whisel (left) and GMWP Director Bro. Tom Boduch, 32°, K.C.C.H., Valley of Knoxville.

In nearby Troy, Tennessee, Bro. Ben H. Norrid, 32°, a member of Western Sun Lodge No. 88 and the Valley of Memphis, donated a building lot, located literally in his front yard, to Obion County HFH. Bro. Ben, who was raised as a Master Mason in November 1998, also helped coordinate local church and other community efforts. On Saturday September 11, over 100 volunteers, including 20 Master Masons, several Eastern Star Sisters, a delegation from the Bartlett DeMolay Chapter (see photo left) and members of three local Churches of Christ joined forces to frame a house and get a roof on it in one day! The house was completed and dedicated in October 1999. Chapter Dad Bro. Ken Lee, 32°, Valley of Memphis, is shown at far right in the photo above.

His son Ryan is in front and to his right. Ryan, who was installed as Master Councilor in August 1999, adopted HFH as a Chapter civic project for his term of office. Standing to Ryan's right is new homeowner Angie McClure, a mother of two.

For more information, please visit http://www.gmwp.org.

Submitted by Thomas Boduch M.D., 32°, K.C.C.H.

*See Scottish Rite Journal June 1998, pp. 49–52, May 1999, pp. 54–56; and September 1999, pp. 55–57.

Child ID Program In Paso Robles, California

Recently, the 310th Masonic District in San Luis Obispo County sponsored an Information Booth and Child ID Program at the California Mid State Fair in Paso Robles, California. Masonic Brethren from the 310th Masonic District—as well as local members from the Shrine, Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Order of Eastern Star—helped staff the booth and provide information, upon request, to the public.

Also, pamphlets were available about the Scottish Rite, Shrine, York Rite, Eastern Star, and Blue Lodge. Lodges involved in the project were Paso Robles No. 286, San Simeon Lodge No. 196, King David's Lodge No. 209 in San Luis Obispo, and Atascadero Lodge No. 493. Approximately 1,068 kids had a Child ID Packet made up. Each packet consists of information about the child, thumb prints, and a photograph of the child. This community-service project was provided free of charge, and the California Masonic Foundation provided the equipment used to make up the Child ID Packets.

Submitted by Bro. Douglas S. Davis, 32°, Valley of San Jose, California, Senior Warden of Paso Robles Lodge, Chairman of the 310th Masonic District Fair Event.

Santa Visits House Of The Temple

Every year, Joan K. Sansbury, Librarian/Curator, of the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C., hosts a special holiday party for children. Each occasion consists of story telling with a seasonal focus, the distribution of gifts by Santa, a brief tour of the building decorated for the holidays, and light refreshments in the Banquet Hall. Last year, Santa had a very special helper (pictured right), Timmy Kleinknecht, one of Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht's seven grandchildren.

Club Honors Disabled Students

In 1994, the Albert Pike Scottish Rite Club, a unit of the Valley of Louisville, Kentucky, initiated recognition programs for learning-disabled students in the public schools of Henry and Oldham Counties in Kentucky. The programs were begun under the leadership of Bro. S. Harold Smith, 32°, K.C.C.H., (pictured right) who was then club president. Club members solicit contributions from local businesses in order to provide $50 U.S. Savings Bonds and plaques to students who have been selected by their teachers. The awards are presented at receptions held by the club or at regular assemblies and commencements held by the school systems at the end of the academic year.

Learning-disabled students were selected for these awards programs because, though they work hard for what they achieve, they often go without recognition and encouragement. The 1999 awards programs were dedicated to the memory of Bro. Smith who died in October 1998 after a long and courageous battle against cancer. The members of the club have indeed taken seriously the words of its namesake, the late Grand Commander Albert Pike, 33°: "What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."

Las Cruces, New Mexico, JROTC Award

On May 15, 1999, Ill. Thomas A. Whelan, 33°, Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force (Ret.), Valley of Las Cruces, New Mexico, presented one of the Scottish Rite's JROTC Education and Americanism Awards to Cadet Jeremy Taulbee at a Mayfield High School Award Ceremony in Las Cruces. The Scottish Rite recognition (consisting of a handsome medallion, ribbon, and certificate) has proved very popular in the Southern Jurisdiction. Requests for the JROTC Award should be channeled through the Scottish Rite Valley nearest the locale of the Cadet(s) 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.

Portland, Oregon, Christmas Party A Hit

Last year, the holiday party at the H. J. Casey Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders in Portland, Oregon, was, again, a big hit with over 50 children and their parents. Santa had a gift for each child, and lunch was served. Aside from potluck salads and desserts brought by the parents, the clinic provided hot dogs with all the trimmings, potato chips, and beverages.

Three 33° Masons Head Texas Lodge

The Edwin J. Kiest Lodge No. 1310 of Dallas, Texas, recently installed three 33° Scottish Rite Masons as Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, and Junior Warden. R.W. Robert L. Dillard, 33°, Grand Cross, served as the Installing Officer as Ill. Bros. Larry D. Ravert (center) became Worshipful Master, and Charles W. Briley (left) was installed as Senior Warden, and Andrew N. Scott (right) became Junior Warden. Ill. Briley also serves as the Grand Organist of the Grand Lodge of Texas. A large group of Masons and friends gathered, including three Past Grand Masters and many other dignitaries. The motto selected by Brother Ravert for the Lodge this year is "Taking Masonic Truth Into The Next Millennium."