November 2000
Ill. Joseph C. Jennings, Jr., 33°,
Appointed Deputy In The Orient Of Oklahoma | GWMNM
Hosts DeMolay Honors | A Program That Works
| Freemasonry At Its Best In Texas | Child ID Program In California | 50-Year
Member Appointed Grand Representative in Utah | Community
Builders Awards | Missouri Rainbow Installation
| Let Freedom Ring Masonic Tournament Of Roses
Parade Float | Founder Of Habitat For Humanity
Thanks Masons | Masonic Cornerstone
Ceremony Dedicates Public Library in Iowa
Effective
August 24, 2000, Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°,
appointed Ill. Joseph Clarence Jennings, Jr., 33°, as Deputy
in the Orient of Oklahoma. As the successor of Ill. Paul T. Million,
Jr., 33°, S.G. I.G. in Oklahoma and Grand Chamberlain of the
Supreme Council, who passed away on August 22, 2000, in McAlester,
Oklahoma, Deputy Jennings will be challenged to continue a truly
illustrious record of accomplishment, but every indication is
that he is equal to the important Masonic labors before him.
Born on November 3, 1930, in DeNoya, Oklahoma, he and his wife, Billie, are longtime residents of Oklahoma. Ill. Jennings has two sons, Kurt and Bret, the latter now active in the Front Stage Control Department of the Tulsa Scottish Rite Bodies. A District Court Judge of the State of Oklahoma for 28 years, Ill. Jennings has provided legal counsel to the Tulsa Scottish Rite and Shrine and retired in 1995 to devote himself fully to Freemasonry.
Ill. Jennings was raised a Master Mason in 1960 and is a member of Pilgrim–Rock Lodge No. 522, Tulsa, which he has served in many capacities, including Worshipful Master in 1970. A member of the Tulsa Scottish Rite since 1961, he has been an effective worker in many areas, including the presentation of the Degrees. Elected a Trustee for the Tulsa Charitable and Educational Foundation in 1995, Ill. Jennings was then appointed, in recognition of his outstanding service, to the Tulsa Advisory Conference by Ill. Million in 1997 and as Personal Representative of the S.G.I.G., Valley of Tulsa, in 1998.
Ill. Jennings is a member of the Tulsa York Rite Bodies, Akdar Shrine Center, a Past Certificate Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, a member of the Order of the Symbolic Chain, and a Past Director of the Royal Order of Jesters–Tulsa Court No. 47.
His long record of civic and Masonic accomplishments confirms that Deputy Joseph C. Jennings, Jr., 33°, will fulfill the duties of his new post with ability, vigor, and vision.
On August
27, 2000, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria,
Virginia, hosted the Northern Region of Virginia Order of DeMolay
2000 Honors Investiture. Among the seven Legion of Honor Designates
was Congressman Tom M. Davis III who was received by M.W. Donald
M. Robey, 33°, P.G.M. of Virginia (left in photo), who presented
Congressman Davis with his LOH lapel pin. Brother Davis (right
in photo) said he would proudly wear his DeMolay Active Legion
of Honor pin with his Congressional pin. Bro. Davis is a Senior
DeMolay from the District of Columbia and a member of Naval Lodge
No. 4, District of Columbia. He represents Virginia's Eleventh
Congressional District in the United States Congress and is a
Member of the House Government Reform Committee where he serves
as Chairman of the Subcommittee on the District of Columbia. In
November 1998, he was elected by the House Republican Conference
as Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee
(NRCC) for the 106th Congress, a significant House leadership
position. Congressman Davis was elected to Congress in 1994 and
re-elected in 1996 and 1998. During his six years in Congress,
he has earned a reputation among his constituents, colleagues,
and the media as a responsive member who gets the job done. In
his post-investiture response, he praised DeMolay as a positive
effect on his early development and noted that DeMolay's principles
of personal morality, public service, and patriotism still guide
him today.
Other distinguished Brethren receiving the Legion of Honor, Active or Honorary, at the above ceremony were Bro. James D. Hawkins, 32°, Valley of Alexandria, a Senior DeMolay of Lord Fairfax Chapter and the W.M. of Henry Lodge No. 57 which sponsors the Lord Fairfax Chapter of DeMolay; Bro. William F. Reinhold, 32°, Valley of Richmond, a Senior DeMolay from New York and Past W.M. of Widow Sons' Lodge No. 60 in Charlottesville, Virginia, which sponsors the Thomas Jefferson DeMolay Chapter; Bro. Rhey M. Solomon, 32°, Valley of Alexandria, a Senior DeMolay of Commander William L. Herndon Chapter in Herndon, Virginia, where he is presently the Chairman of the Advisory Council; Bro. Matthew T. Szramoski, 32°, Valley of Newport News, a Senior DeMolay and State Master Councilor from Tidewater Chapter in Yorktown, Virginia, who is presently the Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Alexandria Washington DeMolay Chapter which meets in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial; Bro. Jay L. Cotner, Past District Deputy Grand Master of the District 18 where Thomas Jefferson Chapter is located; and Ill. John W. Boettjer, 33°, Grand Cross, Managing Editor of the Scottish Rite Journal, which is noted for its strong support of DeMolay.
The Legion of Honor Investiture Team, under the leadership of Bro. Ennis A. "Doc" Viereck, Jr., 32°, Valley of Alexandria, masterfully performed the Legion of Honor investiture ceremony which was followed by the investiture of four Chevalier Designates: Thomas B. Asuncion, Benjamin F. Elliott, Adam M. Elliott, and Kenneth J. Garcia. The Chevalier Investiture Team performed beautifully under the guidance of Bro. Robert G. Mertz, Jr., 32°, Valley of Alexadria, Chevalier.
Together, the two ceremonies reminded all present of the great service DeMolay provides to both Freemasonry and the nation.
Submitted by
Ill. Howard K. Smith, Sr., 33°, Executive Officer in Virginia
Order of DeMolay, Valley of Roanoke, Virginia
In June of this year, the Valley of Long Beach, California, celebrated the second anniversary of its "All 29 Degrees" program. This program was initiated as a way to increase attendance and to further recognize those who have increased their Masonic knowledge by attending all 29 classroom lectures and ritualistic dramas. In the first two years, over 50 members have earned their frameable "Certificate of Achievement" and wallet-size "Gold Proficiency Card." To mark the occasion, these are awarded to recipients at a Ladies Night Dinner to which both the member and his lady are invited.
The "All 29 Degrees" program has proved to be of unexpected benefit to the Valley. Some members who have returned to earn their new certificates have been reintroduced to all that takes place at the Rite during the Degrees. As a result, some "have found something to do" and have joined a Degree Team or supporting activity.
As the program becomes more widely known, it should serve to attract new members to the Scottish Rite, even as it continues to bring back existing ones. Congratulations to Brethren of the Valley of Long Beach, California, for creating this innovative and productive new membership initiative!
 At
age 23, Chad Pasley (left below) joined Blue Ridge No. 490, Blue
Ridge, Texas, in March of 1998. On May 23, 2000, Bro. Pasley
was raised to the Degree of Master Mason by his father (right)
and great-grandfather (center), and he is currently serving as
Senior Deacon at his Lodge. Chad's father, Gaylon D. Pasley of
Trenton, Texas, was raised a Master Mason on November 15, 1985,
at Trenton Lodge No. 761. He has served as Worshipful Master
for two terms and is currently serving as Treasurer. He is also
a 32° Scottish Rite Mason, Valley of Dallas. Chad's great-grandfather,
Frank M. Jenkins of Plano (center), was raised a Master Mason
at Irving Lodge No. 1218, Irving, Texas, on October 10, 1959.
He also is a 32° Scottish Rite Mason, Valley of Dallas. It
was a great honor and certainly an unusual event for his father
and great-grandfather to help confer all three Degrees on Chad
at Blue Ridge Lodge. Congratulations to all! |
The 310th Masonic District in San
Luis Obispo County recently sponsored a Child ID Program and Information
Table at the California Mid State Fair in Paso Robles. Masonic
participants from the Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Five Cities
Shrine Clubs, San Jose and Santa Barbara Scottish Rite Temples,
San Luis Obispo York Rite Bodies, Bethlehem Chapter No. 95, Atascadero
Chapter and Corona Chapter No. 107, Order of the Eastern Star,
and Masonic Lodges helped man the booth and provide information
to the public about the many child philanthropies that the Freemasons
support, i.e., the Scottish Rite's Childhood Language Disorders
Program, Shriner's Hospitals for Children, the Knight Templar's
Eye Foundation, and the California Masonic Foundation's Student
Assistance Training Program for Public Schools. Masonic Lodges
involved in the project were Paso Robles Lodge No. 286, San Simeon
Lodge No. 196, King David's Lodge No. 209 in San Luis Obispo,
Atascadero Lodge No. 493, and Estero Lodge No. 719 in Morro Bay.
This year at the Mid State Fair there were approximately 1,500 kids who were provided with a Child ID Information Sheet. Only the child's thumbprint and photograph, which were digitally captured, were produced on the document. Parents were then informed that all other pertinent information would have to be written on the document by them at a later date. The Child ID Information Sheet was then given to the parents for safekeeping. Parents were advised that this document should be given to law enforcement personnel in the event of a lost or abducted child. This community service project was provided free of charge. The Grand Lodge of California, with the assistance of the California Masonic Foundation, provided the equipment for this project. Several weeks prior to the fair, local newspapers throughout the San Luis Obispo County, published articles encouraging all parents to bring their children by for an initial or updated photograph and information. Masonic information pamphlets as well as points of contact for the Scottish Rite, Shrine, York Rite, Eastern Star, and Blue Lodges were also available to the public.
 Recently, Bro. Fred
C. Lange, 32°, K.Y.C.H., a 50-year member of Utah Consistory,
Salt Lake City, Utah, received a certificate appointing him as
Grand Representative to the Grand Commandery of Utah. The presentation
was made by R.E. Lewis D. Peck, 32°, Deputy Grand Commander
of Knights Templar of Washington (left in photo on the facing
page), and R.E. Glenn A. Siron, 32°, Past Grand Commander
of Washington (right). With this appointment, Bro. Lange (center)
will be the Grand Representative to Utah for all three York Rite
Bodies. The Certificate was presented at a York Rite College
meeting in Pullman, Washington. This November, Brother Lange
will have been a member of the Utah Scottish Rite Bodies 51 years. |
Recently, Willis V. Fentress Lodge No. 296 of Virginia Beach,
Virginia, won media attention when its members honored two outstanding
local leaders by conferring on them the Lodge's annual "Community
Builders Award." Richard C. Conti, Director of Nauticus,
the National Maritime Center, was recognized for his outstanding
work in bringing traveling exhibits to the area and for enhancing
the National Maritime Center's focus on education. Also, Dr. Charles
Horton, Chairman of Physicians for Peace, like Horton, received
a 2000 Community Builder Award plaque for his leadership of this
Norfolk-based group that has sponsored over 200 trips to 29 countries,
including Africa and South America, to treat patients and train
local doctors.
W.M. David J. Fazendin, 32°, Valley of Norfolk, said, "It
is with great honor that the Brethren of this Lodge selected Mr.
Conti and Dr. Horton for what they have done and continue to do
for our community and the world around us." Congratulations,
Brothers, on raising your local community's awareness of Freemasonry's
moral values and community support.
 |
Bro. David J. Fazendin, 32°, W.M. of Willis V. Fentress Lodge No. 296, Virginia Beach, Virginia, presents the Lodge's "Community Builders Award" to Dr. Charles Horton (l.) and Richard C. Conti (r.). |
 On June 13, 2000,
Bianca L. Miller was installed as Grand Worthy Advisor, State
of Missouri, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Miss
Miller is a member of Republic Assembly No. 84 and is the granddaughter
of Ill. Wallace W. Willard, 33°, Personal Representative
of Ill. Earl K. Dille, 33°, Orient S.G.I.G., State of Missouri.
She has selected the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders
Program as her State Service Project. Pictured right at the installation
ceremony, she is accompanied by some members of the Missouri
DeMolay (l. to r., front row) Jeff Kitsmiller, Bianca Miller,
and Tony Bartelli and (l. to r., back row) Curtis Pankey, Josh
Gritzo, Tony Broome, Danny Bartelli, Adam Louke, and Matthew
Marrone. |
Ill. Stanley Channon, 33°,
Chairman of the Float Task Force, recently announced that three
of America's most significant symbols of freedom—the Liberty
Bell, Constitution, and the 1777 design of the Stars and Stripes—will
decorate the Family of Freemasonry float in the 2001 Tournament
of Roses Parade on New Year's Day. Embracing the parade theme,
"Fabric of America," the 35-foot float will be entitled
"Let Freedom Ring," with the Liberty Bell centered in
the middle of the colorful Masonic entry. "We wish to remind
viewers that Freemasons played a large part in the founding of
America," according to Ill. Channon, a Past Grand Master
of California Masons. Carrying on that heritage will be six riders
on the float from Masonically related youth organizations: DeMolay,
Job's Daughters, and Rainbow For Girls. Dressed in the regalia
of their organizations, the six young people will be seated on
each side of the Constitution, which will be fashioned from cornhusks,
onion seed, and seaweed to create the lettering. Whole red and
white carnations, blue and white statice, white rice and carnation
and gladiolus petals and a base of white rice and carnations will
surround the flag while roses, gerbera daises, and chrysanthemums
will complete the float's design.
Masons throughout the world are asked to contribute to the cost of sponsoring the Family of Freemasonry float. You may do so by sending your donations made payable to Rose Parade Masonic Float, to Donald A. Journey, Treasurer, 608 Los Olivos Dr., San Gabriel, CA, 91775–1617. Merchandise order forms are also available. Please note that contributions are not deductible.
|
GMWP houses are planned through 2004. For more information, please visit www.gmwp.org. |
On September 4, 2000, M.W. Lester
C. Fleming, 32°, K.C.C.H., Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Iowa
(l. below), led a Masonic cornerstone-laying ceremony dedicating
the newly renovated West Liberty Free Public Library in Cedar
Rapids, Iowa. On the following day, the Cedar Rapids Gazette gave
high positive profile to the event and noted: "As part of
the ceremony, the building was consecrated with corn, wine, and
oil, all symbols of the virtues of morality, justice, truth, and
brotherly love." Also pictured is R.W. John B. Kane, Junior
Grand Warden, pouring oil as part of the cornerstone ceremony.
Submitted by Bro. Dale A. Yocom,
32°
Valley of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Through its Vision
2013 Masonic Renewal Movement, Tennessee Brethren sponsor and
build a Habitat For Humanity house in partnership with a HFH
affiliate located in the current Grand Master's home region.
This program is named the Grand Master's Work Project (GMWP).
Recently, Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat For Humanity, visited
Nashville, and during the visit, Grand Master M.W. Brother K.
I. Wright, 33°, Valley of Nashville, presented Millard (photo
right) with a 2000 GMWP T-shirt. Worn by Brethren at building
sites, these T-shirts help make Masons visible in the community.
Millard expressed his appreciation for Tennessee's Masonic–HFH
partnership during which four houses have been built since 1997.
Additionally, countless hours of labor, materials, and leadership
have been donated by Brethren across the "Volunteer State."