The Voice of Freemasonry Vol. 29, No. 3

7/30/2019 The Voice of Freemasonry Vol. 29, No. 3

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IN THE NATIONS CAPITALVolume 29, Number 3, 2012

An Ofcial Publication o the Grand Lodge

o Free And Accepted Masons o Washington DC

Centenarian Strikes Gold


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Art and Photo Credits: Photographs or images appearing in this issue, unless otherwise indicated, are the work of the ofcial Grand

Lodge Photographers, WB Jose Boggio and WB Burt Levy; Masterpiece Studios of Olney, Maryland; the contributor or subject of the

respective article; or obtained from open sources.

The Voice oFreemasonryVolume 29, Number 3, 2012

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFJoseph S. Crociata, Grand Master

MANAGING EDITORMansour Hatef, PGM,Grand Secretary

The Voice of Freemasonry is anofcial publication o the GrandLodge o Free And AcceptedMasons (F.A.A.M.) o the Districto Columbia. Unless otherwisenoted, articles appearing in thispublication express only the privateopinion or assertions o the writer,and do not necessarily reectthe ofcial position o the GrandLodge. The jurisdiction speaks onlythrough the Grand Master, andwhen attested to as ofcial, in writ-ing, by the Grand Secretary.

The editorial sta invites contri-butions in the orm o inormativearticles, reports, news and othertimely inormation (o about 500to 1000 words in length) thatbroadly relate to Masonic law, lore,customs, history, symbolism, philos-ophy, responsibility o membership,etiquette, current events, and/or gen-eral public interest. When possible,photographs that illustrate these in-ormative articles should accompanythe submission. Pieces submittedshould be typed, double-spaced andpreerably accompanied by a com-puter disk in a neutral PC ormat orvia e-mail to:[email protected]

Art icles are subject to ed iting and,when published, become the prop-erty o the Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M.,o the District o Columbia. Nocompensation is allowed or anyarticles, photographs, or other ma-terials submitted or publication.

Permission to reprint articles willbe granted upon written requestto the Editor rom recognized Ma-sonic publications and others. Whenreprinted, articles should note: Re-printed with permission oThe Voiceof Freemasonry in the Nations Capi-tal, (volume), (number), (year).

Please direct all correspondence to:

MANAGING EDITOR:

THE VOICE OF FREEMASONRY

5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W.

Washington, DC 20016-2524

Graphic design:

JP DESIGN :: print | web

[email protected]

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On the CoverThis issues cover illustration features

our Grand Master, MWB Joseph S.

Crociata, with WB Leslie J. Munro,

who is the current holder of the

Grand Lodges Gold Fidelity Medal.The presentation of the medal took

place on Saturday, November 17,

2012 at the Grand Lodges Annual

Communication. The Grand Lodges

Gold Fidelity Medal was established in

1937 and is awarded to a senior Past

Master of the entire jurisdiction who

resides in the Washington, DC vicinity.

The medal is worn by the recipient

for life and returned to the Grand

Lodge upon the brothers death. For

more on Worshipful Brother Munro,please turn to the article in this issue

entitled: DC Mason Achieves Three

Signicant Milestones.

GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

In This IssueClick on a title, page number or feature photo to jump to that article of your

choice. Return to this page by clicking on a button located on each page.

Grand Masters Message: Work Left Upon the Trestleboard 3

Combined Federal Campaign 6From the Grand Secretary: Freemasonry and Society 7

In Search or a Deeper Meaning in Masonry 9

Thanksgiving and Rememberance 11

Visions, Dreams, and Reality 14

Thank You, Freemasonry 16

2012 Recipients o the Valentine Reintzel Medal or

Meritorious Service18

D.C. Mason Achieves Three Signifcant Milestones 21

A New Face inthe

Grand Line: Michael D. Nicholas, Sr.Elected Junior Grand Steward or 2013 22

Potomac Lodge Holds a Low Vale Lodge 23

St. Johns Lodge Raises $11,000 to Beneft Almas

Transportation Fund26

Happy Holidays 28


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Grand Masters MessageWork Let Upon the Trestleboard

As December approaches, we come upon thetime of year that a Grand Master is expectedto provide a closing message to the Craft that

acknowledges their efforts, and gives an accountingof all of the Grand Lodges successes of the year thenending. At the outset, I will take this opportunity toextol the efforts of the Grand Lodge Ofcers whohave attended all of theGrand Visitations and pro-vided the horsepower tobring success to the activ-ities of the Grand Lodge. Ialso take the opportunity

to acknowledge the hardwork and imagination ofthe 2012 Masters and theirofcer corps: Freema-sonry is practiced withinour Lodges, and the Craftonly grows and prospersthrough their efforts.Each of the Lodges hasbeen pursuing our NobleArt in keeping with itsown character, and themembers of the Craft are

to be congratulated fortheir efforts, and the ben-ets of their diligence.

And what Masons theyare! The West Gates of ourLodges have opened to anew generation of brotherswhose increase in num-bers is exceeded only by their growth in diversity.They burn with a white-hot passion to pursue thesearch for Wisdom, Strength and Beauty with anintensity that older brothers wistfully recall from

our own times as newly-made Masons.

Notwithstanding the Crafts successes, I would liketo avoid recounting the programs and events of thisyear. (I invite you to review the Proceedings of ourAnnual Communication once they become available,and assure you that a full accounting of the yearsGrand Lodge activities may be found in my formalreport.) Instead, this nal message will be devotedto an ongoing issue that has not been solved this

year, and remains for the designs andcraftsmanship of those who will follow.

The Generational Sandwich

Our Lodges have been invaded. Those of us whoare veteran Masons, gray and thinning of hairand expansive of girth, can easily recognize the

invading forces. They areyoung, they are energeticand they are crusty tradi-tionalists. They are mostlybrothers in their 20sand early 30s, who are

to a great extent assum-ing the leadership of ourLodges. But the tradi-tions to which they holdfast do not arise from theexperience of AmericanMasonry of the rst half ofthe last century, when theperformance of ritual andthe business operations ofthe Lodge were sufcientto ll our Lodges withMaster Masons. The NewMason looks elsewhere forFreemasonrys identity.

He usually begins todevelop his apprecia-tion for Masonic traditionbefore he signs his peti-tion for the degrees. Hisinitial understanding of

the history and traditions of the Craft springs fromthe research he performed before making the deci-sion to approach us. While its true that much of thatresearch is conducted via the Internet, I nd that

most often his efforts range far beyond electronicresearch before he approaches the West Gate.

From Wilmshurst to Coil and from Haywood toNewton, the New Masons take the time and interestto read from the books of the Crafts historiansand philosophers. And therein lies the rub. Most ofthe authors and sources from which our youngestEntered Apprentices receive their rst instructionare our elders, by multiple generations. Moreover,

Most Worshipful Brother

Joseph S. Crociata

continued on next page

GRAND MASTERS MESSAGE


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many of the most inuential of them were eitherpractitioners of Continental Masonry, or weredeeply inuenced by European Masonic cultureand practice.

In effect, circumstances have created what I willcall a generational sandwich, in which the young-

est members of our Fraternity arrive with two,conicting inuences. As to the rst inuence, theNew Masons remain junior to us seeking to applythe culture of their generation to a fraternity thatis already vibrant and active. As to the second, theNew Masons are our seniors seeking to remind usof the traditions from which we spring, and bringexisting Masonic practicemore in line with the tra-ditions that were broughtto these shores 250 yearsago or longer.

As to the rst, they bringexpectations of commu-nications that are nearinstantaneous. Hav-ing little experience oflife without the Inter-net, the 20th Centuryparadigms of electroniccommunication (in whichbroadcasters put forthinformation and enter-tainment for us to absorbas passive couch pota-

toes) must seem quaintto them. More seniorbrothers like myselfprobably share the samefeeling when we see pic-tures of families gatheredaround the radio in the1940s. For the new Mason, mass electronic com-munication is an active experience, in which hisreaction to what he sees is as important a part of theprocess as the broadcast of the originator. Computerscome with keyboards for a reason, and our youngerMasonic brothers have known how to use them for aslong as they can recall.

There are both benets and dangers from this part ofthe sandwich. We are enjoying new developmentsin organizational efciencies: E-vites remind us ofapproaching meetings and our responses help ourBrother Stewards order and prepare the correctamount of food. Lodge minutes are more easily cre-ated and maintained, and any errors or omissionsmore easily corrected by our Brother Secretaries.

Upon the death of a Brother or the distress of hiswidow, listserv e-mails alert the entire active mem-bership of the Lodge, so that they can fulll theirobligations to care for those in need.

On the other hand, there are problems. On occasion,Lodge members can be seen texting each other or

persons outside the Lodge during meetings. Apartfrom showing a lack of respect for the Master andhis role, the texting brothers are sacricing muchof the benet of the Lodge experience for theprivilege of their electronic whispers. Experienceteaches that much of the value of what we do arisesfrom the creation of a separation from the world.

The time and cadence ofour opening ritual is animportant part of cre-ating a transition fromthe profane world tothe sacred space of theLodge. Indeed, in recentyears many Lodges havepreceded the openingwith moments of medi-tation, music or silenceto emphasize that tran-sition. Lodge texterssacrice that separationfrom the outside world.

They also lose the ben-ets of Unity. As a mandevelops as a Mason,

he gains a sense of theLodge as a whole. In asuccessful Lodge, theinteractions of the broth-ers and the conduct ofthe ofcers become asharmonious as the simul-

taneous melodies traced by individual members ofan orchestra. While many of the instruments mayplay passages that are melodious on their own, whenjoined together with the other orchestra members,great symphonies can be the result. This is similarto the unity we seek in our Lodges. When two ofthe brothers withdraw from that unity to engage intexted asides, they not only lose all sense of unityfor themselves, but they reduce the Lodges collec-tive energies in like measure.

And (lest you think I am singl ing out our youngerMasons for criticism) anyone who has heard a coupleof elder Past Masters chattering away in stage whis-pers during a Lodges opening or closing knowsthat such disruptions dont require the use of a cell

In a successful Lodge,

the interactions ofthe brothers and the

conduct of the ofcers

become as harmonious

as the simultaneous

melodies traced by

individual members of

an orchestra.



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phone. Our younger Masons distress with thosewhose appreciation and awe of the sacred space ofthe Lodge has waned over the years demonstratesthe other inuence making up the generationalsandwich. The philosophical or esoteric side ofMasonry served only a part of the fraternal experi-

ence to recent generations of Masons in this country.Not so with the New Masons. I have observed thatthe new generations taking charge of our Lodgesrequire and demand consistent and direct demon-stration of the application of Masonry to a life welllived. To them, discovering and living a worthyMasonic life is the point of what we do, and theylook to the originatorsand early history of theCraft for guidance asto how that life is to befound, and where.

I saw somethingrecently online thatillustrates the tensionsbetween the electronicpresent and the philo-sophical past that pullat our younger Masons.As we all know, thesecrecy we attachto our ritual is a func-tion of respect for theexperience it has heldfor all of us. We main-

tain the privacy of ourritual, not just to showdelity to our broth-ers and respect for ourobligations, but alsoto preserve the initia-tory experience forthose who will follow.Much of the power ofour ceremonies comesfrom the experience of receiving them directly fromthe hands of our brothers, without foreknowledge ofwhat is to come. One would expect, then, that the

New Mason would nd that absolute privacy as tothe initiatory experience is of paramount importance.

While online, I found some material posted by mem-bers of a young traditional lodge (self-styled) whohave adopted the chamber of reection as a part oftheir degree work, in order to emphasize the separa-tion between the lodge room and the outside world.Notwithstanding their adoption of that ceremony(and their argument for its historical authentic-

ity), they published pictures of the chamber, forall prospective brothers to review. Therein lies thetension: while tradition drives them to seek thatwhich is basic to the Lodge experience of the 1700sand 1800s, their 21st Century background compelsthem to communicate their traditions in a manner

that risks diluting the fraternal experience for thosewho will follow.

Somehow, the Craft will need to nd a voice thatbridges the conict between culture and history,and serves both the need for fulllment of ourcurrent members and the need to preserve the

gift of Freemasonry forgenerations to come.We will need to cometo general agreementon how this is to bedone. And we need tocome to that agree-ment without regard towhether we were bornin 1951, or 1991.

Fodder or the

Trestleboard

Our current membersare not only from dif-ferent generations,but the vast majorityof them come fromseparated generations.

During my travels toother Grand Jurisdic-tions, I hear the samething: we have plenty ofMasons who are 55 andolder, and a growingnumber of Masons (andLodge ofcers) who are35 and younger. There

are only a spare number of brothers between thesetwo groups. I acknowledge that all of the observa-tions in this article are made from the perspective ofa 60 year old Mason. Its the only perspective I have,and I apologize for any unintended us versus themtone that may have resulted.

I also acknowledge that many of the New Masonswill nd my observations to be incomplete, apocry-phal, or to use a recently re-popularized politicalphrase astounding malarkey. I urge that you NewMasons respond within your Lodges with your ownobservations, and that you take the time and troubleto communicate them to those on the other side

Somehow, the Craft

will need to nd a voicethat bridges the conict

between culture and

history, and serves both

the need for fulllment

of our current members

and the need to preserve

the gift of Freemasonry

for generations to come.



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A Special Opportunity or Federal Employees.Please consider including the Masonic Foundation o the District o Columbia

as part o your charitable giving to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).

The CFC number or the Masonic Foundation is 48808 and is listed in the

local agencies section o this yearscampaign catalog.

I you are not a Federal Employee but

know someone who is, please ask them

to consider our Masonic Foundation.

of the generational divide as brothers, and not assons or nephews. In the outside world were taughtto treat our elders with deference. I can understandchoosing to avoid the frustration of trying to com-municate to the Network TV minds of Past Masterslike myself in Internet-based language. But, given

our current demographic, you do not have the lux-ury of isolating the older members or disengagingfrom them. You will need all of their work, and someof their wisdom. Make them hear you and engage ina joint process of moving your Lodge forward to newlevels of achievement.

To my older brothers of so many years, I call uponyou to avoid the temptation to withdraw into anever-smaller group of old timers. I often joke aboutgetting old enough to transition from friends tocronies. But, if you start sitting among the samegroup of brothers each time you go to Lodge, itstime for a change. Engage the New Masons in yourLodge, and make the effort to convince them youare interested in what they think about Masonry, theLodge, and the future of both. Take the time to knowthem, their families, their work, and the pressuresthat all of these bring to bear against their efforts toset aside time for Freemasonry. Most of all, recog-nize that you have much to learn from them. Treatthem as brothers, and not as sons or nephews. Theydeserve nothing less, and (who knows) the experi-ence may just be helpful in keeping you a bit youngerthan your years might otherwise dictate.

If all of you exert your inuence upon the Craft in

such a cooperative spirit of engagement, the properdesigns will be inscribed upon the trestleboard by

our future Masters and Grand Masters, and broth-erly love, relief and truth will prevail for generationsto come.

Epilogue

Some might nd these suggestions for the Trestle-

board to be a bit thin for a departing Grand Master after all, dont we look to the Grand Oriental Chairas the primary font of Wisdom in the Grand Jurisdic-tion? I cannot speak for others, but I have found thatany wisdom gained from the privilege of serving asyour Grand Master has taught me how much more Ineed to learn about this Noble Art we call Masonry.Looking forward to passing the gavel along to mygood friend, Brother and able executive ofcer ofthis year, RW Brother Teko Foly, I am lled with asense of peace and satisfaction. Because althoughthe problems faced by the Fraternity change fromyear to year, the delity of our brothers in meet-

ing them is as constant as the movements of thatcelestial orb that provides a primary metaphor forFreemasonry, for the Lodge, and for li fe itself.

I thank you all for the gift of this experience, forthe triumphs of your achievements, and for yourgenerous tolerance of my mistakes. I am especiallygrateful for the indulgence and assistance of ourFirst Lady Susan, whose sense of what is just andright has provided me the guidance of a differentkind of compass, without which I could not havecompleted my service. As I return to my placeamong the brethren, I place my condence in the

glorious future of our Craft, and in all of you to leadus there. n

COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN


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From the Grand Secretary

Freemasonry and Society

Mansour Hate, PGM

Grand SecretaryP

ublic discussion of the inuence of Freemasonryon society has persisted since the early 18th cen-tury. Moreover increasing attention is now being

focused on the role that Freemasonry may play in worldas mankind searches for peace, unity, and the social andmoral advancement of mankind.

Scholars worldwide are studying the impact of Free-masonry on society. In response to the widening ofinterest in our institution,once a presumed bastionof secrecy, Masonic lead-ers are striving to informthe public of our institu-tion, hoping that by so

doing to change imperfectperceptions of the found-ing principles and currentpractices of the Craft.

Tradition-minded Masonshave agonized over thesedevelopments. Many havedeclared that Freemasonryhas no role other than tomaintain its founding trustand to exert a benevolentinuence over its members.

Some critics of the trendsmaintain that while Free-masonry may gain somepublic plaudits for itscharitable and other phil-anthropic works in thecommunity, they also averthat the most importantimage we can project is theone that individual Masonspersonally portray in public that of being proud oftheir Masonic membership.

Admittedly, while we must convince ourselves that weare a force for good, we must be also seen to be so.This we can do successfully without compromising theOrders cardinal principles or jeopardizing its ancientmysteries. As Freemasons, we can and we must contin-uously accentuate the positive, always keeping in mindthat membership in our prestigious Order is a privilege.

Having entered the second decade of a new millenniumwe must be steadfast in our adherence to our aimsand principles. Let us never attempt to obtain pub-

lic acceptance through thepromotion or pursuit of non-Masonic activities which canonly, in the long term, proveour undoing. We must main-tain our established standards while safeguarding ourdignity. There can be no compromise in terms of qualitywith any facet of our institution. Let us hold rm to thesymbolism of the Square and Compasses and let them

continue be the measure ofthoughts and actions thatestablish the position of ourfraternity in the societies ofthis world.

It cannot be denied thatthe universality of Freema-sonry has had a profoundinuence on the advance-ment of life throughoutthe world. Moreover, inaddressing socio-politi-cal issues as they evolve,Freemasonry is given anopportunity to participatein the search for appropri-ate solutions to the manyproblems facing civiliza-tion. It is essential thatMasons cooperate by usingour beliefs to enhancebrotherhood in this turbu-lent world.

Freemasonry offers a planof life-long developmentbased on strong principlesand moral values that per-fect personal character andpersonality. The Freemasondemonstrates his commit-

ment to these purposes by practicing tolerance, charity,

and compassion, respecting the opinion of others and byattending to need as it evolves.

Although Freemasonrys stated goal is the improvementof the individual man, there is no doubt that throughthis emphasis on the advancement of the individual,society as a whole has benetted. Whether this is dueto the improvement of the individuals who take part insociety, or by the broad application of Masonic princi-ples on the evolution of institutions and the social order,is up for debate.

Traditional View:

We must be steadfastin our adherence to

our aims and principles

and never attempt

to obtain public

acceptance through

the promotion or

pursuit of non-Masonic

activities which can

only, in the long term,

prove our undoing.

FROM THE GRAND SECRETARY


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Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that simplyseeks to elevate the character of men so that they may,in turn, improve the society around them. Our visionis simply to have Freemasonry recognized within thecommunity as an organization of high moral and socialstandards, one that benets both its members and thegreater community at large.

It must be clearly under-stood by every memberof the Craft that member-ship does not in any wayexempt him from meet-ing his responsibilities tothe society in which helives. Every new Initiateis charged to be exem-plary in the dischargeof his civil duties, whichextend throughout his

private, public, businessor professional life.

Freemasonry demandsthat members show arespect for the laws ofthe country in which theywork and live. The prin-ciples of Freemasonrydo not in any way con-ict with the duties thatthey owe to the nationsin which they live. Thereis and should be no con-

ict of interest betweena Freemasons obligationand his public duty.

Our actions should beguided by spiritual val-ues which are the raisondtre of Freemasonry.It was spiritual valueswhich determined thesignicance of the workdone by our forefathers.Driven by faith, theybuilt their inner temples

according to our phi-losophy and guided byspirituality went on to build better worlds of freedomand justice, all the while, following the example ofMasons who fought, without self-interest, for the val-ues and causes of free men everywhere. The desire forfreedom, a universal and eternal cause, has no bounds,and it remains symbolized today by brothers aroundthe world.

New interests create intense feelings and new direc-tions, thereby offering our lodges wider boundaries ofchallenge and service. Satisfaction of these challengesprovides Freemasonry new avenues of opportunity tocontinue our work in the interest of the betterment ofsociety. The foundations laid and the principles upheldby our founders are guiding this evolution and control-ling the nature and the rate of change. This will serve

us well for the future andensure that we maintainthe principles of ourorganization, while at thesame time being relevantin society today.

Technological advancesare a certainty for thefuture. It can be arguedthat, in the last decadealone, we have pro-

gressed farther and fastertechnologically than wehave in the sum of thetwo centuries. The futureis inevitable; its com-ing whether or not weare ready, so we shouldprepare to address itschallenges before theybecome overwhelming.

With the gradual open-ing of Freemasonryto the public, and with

it, the spotlight on themyriad of virtuous andpraiseworthy activities,Freemasonry representschanges in public per-ceptions of the Craft. Itsinuence on society isbecoming more and moreapparent to the public,which is, by virtue ofthe new openness of theCraft, now connectingMasonic history with the

acceptable maturing ofsociety generally.

We have condence in the future and we remain deter-mined to make Freemasonry a more and more potentinuence for good in our national life. In fact we believethat the Craft, growing in numbers from a world-wideperspective, is now on the cusp of new greatness. Thechallenge to do good unto all persists; our response,without equivocation, must be positive. n

The Progressive View:

Freemasonry continues

to evolve in a steady but

purposeful manner. The

foundations laid and theprinciples upheld by our

founders are guiding this

evolution and controlling

the nature and the rate

of change. This will serve

us well for the future andensure that we main-

tain the principles of our

organization, while at the

same time being relevant

in society today.

FROM THE GRAND SECRETARY


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n 2011, the Grand Lodge of Washington DC cel-ebrated 200 years of its existence. This auspiciousoccasion does suggest that a level of maturity has

been reached which necessarily gives a basis to showa past full of events, that the typical 24 year old youngMason could refer to as distant or ancient. The GrandLodge has grown by leaps and bounds to get to reachthe milestone recently celebrated. We have garneredsuccesses that can make us proud, but we could also, ifwe look very carefully, nd some part of our past thatis not as perfect as we would like it to be. One thingfor sure is that our past, no matter how, should alwaysserve as lessons and building blocks for a better future.Focusing on today, one can with pleasure and admira-tion, observe the great work and leadership of our Most

Worshipful Grand Master, Joseph S. Crociata in chartinga course for the next century of our Grand Lodge.

Recently, I have taken the time to collect my ownthoughts following our 2012 leadership conference,which brought together more than 90 of our futureand present leaders, to reect upon whats next forMasonry in the District of Columbia. Many aspects ofhow the latest of this annual two-day event was receivedtend to conrm for me several suspicions I have con-cerning where we are and where we are going as afraternity. What has retained my attention is the factthat our current lodge membership and future leadersare approaching Masonry with a slightly different mag-nifying glass, in trying to scrutinize the content of whatMasonry has to offer. There have been times, in the notso distant past, when one would almost think wordslike spirituality, and mysticism ought to be consideredas taboo and classied with subjects like religion andpolitics as unwanted in our deliberations. I am veryencouraged these days to see that these subjects arenot so repulsive anymore. I am not suggesting in anyway that we should stop everything we do or change ourways altogether. As a matter of fact, its my view that ifthe way you practice and relate to Masonry works foryou, you should not change it, as practicing Masonry isa personal journey.

What excites my attention is that the renewal ofMasonry here and elsewhere in the world is experienc-ing growth with younger members. The average age ofmembership is dropping rapidly. This change bringsnew challenges and opportunities for the Craft to stayrelevant in this day and age. The newer member seemsto want a deeper connection with the heart and soulof Masonry. Business as usual does not cut it anymoreand the leaders of todays Masonry are brought to therealization that more thought and work need to be put

into coming up with program-ming that satises all. It is acredit of our Noble Craft thatwe can push harder and makenecessary efforts to adapt tochanging realities.

How did we get to the point today where humanity,and especially the young and upcoming generation, isin need of seeking a deeper meaning to life throughpsychological and esoteric studies? Astrology, one of theseven liberal arts and sciences which are recommendedto our consideration in one of our Masonic degrees, mayoffer some explanation.

As I look into my own quest for inspiration, I looked up

what it means for humanity to be entering The Age ofAquarius. This question ts rather well with the periodwe have been going through since the advent of theyear 2000 through to the present year, 2012 which isbeing proclaimed in some quarters as the last. Feelingsof imminent upheaval are attributed partly to the rststirrings of this new Age, as we enter it.

First of all, we should be reminded that the theory ofAges is based on a concept initially put forward by Plato.The theory states that the passage of time is cyclical andfollows a succession of great years, each lasting 25,920years, this being the length of time that the vernal pointtakes to travel through the twelve constellations of thesidereal zodiac. According to this principle, which drawson both astronomy and astrology, an Age correspondsto the length of time that this same point takes to travelthrough a constellation, this being 25,920 divided by 12 -or 2,160 years. It should nonetheless be made clear thatthis length of time is an average, because the constella-tions do not all extend equally across the sky.

Year one of our current calendar denotes the beginningof the Age of Pisces. The fact remains that, if we acceptan Age as lasting on average 2,160 years, it meanshumanity would currently be at the end of the Age ofPisces. If we go by the oldest texts written on the theory

of the Ages, then each of them has exercised a particu-lar inuence on humanity. Thus the Age of Pisces, sawa moving from a monotheism based on the veneration ofa God external to humankind, to a monotheism orientedtowards the God that is to be found inside everyone.Hence the expression: The Kingdom of Heaven iswithin you.

The Age of Pisces was preceded by the Age of Aries,which was marked by the gradual moving from polythe-ism to monotheism. As you know, it was in Egypt, the

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In Search for a Deeper Meaningin Masonry

Teko A. FolyDeputy Grand Master


IN SEARCH FOR A DEEPER MEANING


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great Pharaoh Ikhnaton, who championed this conver-sion among the people through the worship of Aton.The Tradition relates that it was in this same periodthat Moses left the land of the Pharaohs and returnedto Canaan. During this exodus, which lasted forty years,he too set about converting the Hebrews to a belief ina single God, that he named Yahweh. He also receivedthe Tables of the Law - the Ten Commandments onMount Sinai.

The Age of Aries was preceded by the Age of Taurus,with which we associate the ourishing of the Baby-lonian civilization. The general view is that it wasduring this Age that humankind movedfrom a pretty much archaic animismto a relatively structured poly-theism. Having worshippedthe forces of nature fora long time, most oftenout of fear, humankind

came to veneratedivinities that werelikely to come upto its expecta-tions.

The Age of Tau-rus was precededby the Age ofGemini. Esotericliterature saysthat it was thisAge that saw theappearance of writ-

ing, and of civilization.In other words, it wasduring this Age that thehuman being emerged per-manently from animalism, andbecame aware of its humanity.In mystical terms, we may say thatstarting from this new cycle, the humanbeings individual soul became trulyfreed from the universal Soul, in order to fulll its spiri-tual evolution.

The Age of Gemini was preceded by the Age of Cancer,which takes us back to around 9,000 BCE. It was during

this Age that the transition from prehistory to historyoccurred. You will note that the beginning of this Agecoincides with the supposed disappearance of the con-tinent Atlantis, which some mystics equate to the GreatFlood described in the Bible. If we go by the Judeo-Christian Tradition, this Flood denoted the re-starting ofcivilization, after humanity had practically disappearedfrom Earths surface.

The different inuences mentioned in connection withthe Ages of Cancer, Gemini, Taurus, Aries, and Pisces,

have to do with the transformation that gradually tookplace in humanitys consciousness, particularly in itsways of dealing with the mystery that it has always beenconfronted with, and which still confronts us, which is:Why do we live on Earth? As just shown, this lengthyquest, indeed - gave rise to civilization itself, and thensaw the emergence of animism, polytheism and mono-theism.

While the Age of Pisces has seen the development of ascience that has become more and more materialistic,which has been placed at the service of private and cor-

porate interests, the Age of Aquarius will reconnectwith mysticism. As it does this, it will be

taking on a direction that is spiritualand humanistic. Science will not

only postulate the existenceof God, which some scien-

tists are doing already;it will also acknowl-

edge - as somethingthat is beyond ques-tion - the presencein humankind ofa soul, which itwill considerto be the spiri-tual energy thatmakes eachone of us a liv-ing, conscious

being. From thatpoint on, science

will be acknowledg-ing the true extent

of the universe and thehuman being, with a full

awareness and completeunderstanding of what lies

behind them. In this way, scienceand mysticism will have become oneand the same in explaining the how of

existence, and also the why.

I also think that one of the great changes to be producedby the Age of Aquarius within human beings will be awidespread awakening to the very purpose of life. To be

more specic, human beings will come to understandthat we are on Earth to spiritually evolve: that is, tobecome aware of, and to express, the noblest virtuesthat are accredited to the most divine part of the humansoul. Imagine what the world will be like, when eachperson strives to display tolerance, integrity, generosity,non-violence, and so on. The paradise that many reli-gions refer to will no longer be something to be soughtin the beyond: it will be on the way to becoming a realityhere, in the form of what many philosophers have calledthe ideal society. n

Voice o Freemasonry

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The Astrological Zodiac

IN SEARCH FOR DEEPER MEANING


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Thanksgivingand Remembrance

Thanksgiving and Remembrance are two verygood reasons why we have come together inbrotherhood this afternoon. So when I was

asked to give this speech, I reected and grappledwith what Thanksgiving and Remembrance have todo with each other. Does one idea strengthen theother? Perhaps. Yet, each seems to be a distinct andseparate concept on its own. What is the commonbond between them? I thought about how these

two themes can be related to each other, if at all.Thanksgiving and Remembrance one concept is togive gratitude and appreci-ate the good things that wehave in our lives and theother is to honor and com-memorate those that haveforged a path before us. Wecan certainly have one with-out the other. But together?

As I explored and preparedfor today, I discovered asomewhat surprising and

inspirational relationshipbetween the two. Thanks-giving and Remembrance ontheir own are meaningfulbut when allied, I posit thatthese two lofty concepts canindeed have the power to not only lift our spirits andchange lives but make the world a better place to livefor us and future generations.

Let me begin with Thanksgiving. Giving thankssimply put means gratitude. We may give thanks, wemay say thank you, we may pray, but this seems likea fairly passive concept to me. Theres really no action

or big effort involved, but gratitude is a feeling thatwe seem to naturally have and also possess a strongdesire to express it. This for the most part is humannature and seems to be universal throughout theworld. Giving thanks is a very personal and individualexperience. What I may be thankful for, may not bewhat youre thankful for. Each one of us has our ownunique blessings and life experiences for which wewant to give thanks.

So how does one give thanks? Do we simply say thankyou or pray to God thanking Him? What is the pay-offof our giving thanks other than perhaps being politelike our parents taught us? And to whom should wegive thanks? Well that one is a gimme, Ill assumemany, if not most of you here today on some levelshow appreciation and give thanks to God for the goodthings that happens in our lives. Does God really needus to give thanks to him or is it meant to help us in

some way feel better about ourselves. What do we giveup? Whats the hard work in giving thanks? What is theaction? What do we sacricefor this gratitude? Thanksgiv-ing seems like a pretty easything to do.

There was a time when itwasnt that easy, per se,and people truly did sac-rifice something whengiving thanks. Back in thebiblical days of King Solo-mons Temple, one of the

earlier sacrices was called aThanksgiving Offering. Inter-estingly enough this offeringwas not mandatory, but wasa voluntary sacrice and wasperformed specically when

someone escaped from an extremely dangerous situa-tion; such as crossing a desert or an ocean or recoveredfrom a serious illness or survived a life threateningsituation like child birth. In a nutshell it was donewhen someone experienced a personal miracle. Keepin mind that there was a real nancial cost to thisoffering. The person had to buy or give one of their

own expensive animals as the Thanksgiving sacrice. Itconsisted of an entire cow or sheep or goat, plus fortyloaves of four different kinds of bread. And how thissacrice was used was a bit different than the othersof the time. After ten percent was rst given over tothe priests, the rest of the food had to be consumed inone day and night as opposed to over a longer period oftime, as were other Temple offerings. So how did oneperson eat all that? He couldnt do it alone, but it hadto be done. The custom was to invite your friends and

Jeffrey D. RussellJunior Grand Warden

What follows is an address delivered by RWB Jeffrey D. Russell, Junior GrandWarden, at the annual observance of Masonic Day of Thanksgiving and

Remembrance, which took place on October 14th, 2012, at All Souls Church,Unitarian, in Washington, DC.


Feeling gratitude

and not expressing

it is like wrapping

a present and thennot giving it.

THANKSGIVING AND REMEMBERANCE


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The congregation sings a hymn

All Souls Church,

Unitarian,

Washington, DC

The keynote speaker,

RWB Jeffrey D. Russell

First Lady

Brackshaw

the Grand

with OES

Grand Ma

and Worth

Grand Pa

The Grand Chaplain,

Assistant Grand Chaplains,

and the keynote speaker

e cake

Scenes rom the 2012 Masonic Dayo Thanksgiving and Remembrancephotographs by MWB Robert H. Starr)

Voice o Freemasonry

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13/28

The Voice o Fre

13

family and have a big party. Your personal thanks-giving offering to God just became an epic block party.Of course guests would ask what happened to you andthis was now an opportune time to re-tell the story of

your personal miracle over and over and over, thus ineffect spreading the word of God to others. This was

the communal aspect to a very personal experience,as all those present would hear your moving, rsthandaccount of Gods divine benevolence. Now that is nota very passive Thanksgiving, but in fact a quite action-packed event.

Giving thanks is a timeless concept. All cultures andreligions have a concept of Thanksgiving and givingthanks can open ones heart to the Supreme Being.Weve discussed the power of giving thanks to God,although today we do it through prayer and medita-tion, rather than a sacricial offering. But it is also truethat we give thanks to our fellow man as well andthat has another kind of power. When we do that, there

is a special relationship or bond that is establishedbetween the person that does something for someoneelse and the person that reciprocates with a hearty andwarm thank you. This human connection and experi-ence has a tendency to perpetuate itself over and over.One good deed leads to another. Feeling gratitudeand not expressing it is like wrapping a present andthen not giving it. Gratitude is not only the greatestof virtues, but the parent of all the others virtues.The American philosopher and psychologist, WilliamJames, said the The deepest craving of human natureis the need to be appreciated.

I think that being appreciative is a good thing and isone of the tools that helps us keep our moral compassheading in the right direction in this world. Throughthe act of giving thanks we continue the circle of life.We know as Freemasons that our deeds are measuredby the positive effect we have on the world. In a way,our recognition and our acknowledgment of whensomething good happens to us shows that we are onthe right path. It shows our humanity and it showsthat we are not selsh. It shows that we have a deepappreciation of the bountiful world of blessings and ofthe everyday miracles. When we recognize the goodworks of mankind, we are recognizing Gods hand as

well. And that is the key. Its as if the act of givingthanks itself, advances mans good deed or Gods smallmiracle to an even higher level. The bottom line is thatthere is no room for greed or selshness in someonethat is grateful. Being thankful prevents us from takingpeople and their favors for granted. Thats why whenthe ancient Israelites made their Thanksgiving Sacri-ce, it was a shared communal experience and menworked hand and hand with God to help shed his lighteven further. I daresay that being thankful is a part of

fullling our partnership with God to do His will andHis work and in doing His work we ultimately makethe world a better place for all mankind.

As Masons, we are steeped in a proud history and anundying belief that we should recognize, appreciate,and strive for righteousness in the world today, espe-

cially for those that can no longer speak for themselves.Through Remembrance, we continue to highlight andbuild on the positive works of those who are no longerhere and able to manifest a positive force for them-selves. When we remember and honor the outstandingworks of the good brothers and fellows who came thisway before us, we are renewing and maintaining ourmemory, and keeping their contributions alive in us.This act of Remembrance hopefully inspires us andperhaps even motivates us to make our positive markon this world. That is how we continue the cycle of lifefrom generation to generation. This can be extremelypowerful as our work in this world is magnied and

imbued with the work of those that we keep alive inour memories. The Argentinean Poet, Antonio Porchiawrites, One lives in the hope of becoming a memory.

It is through this perpetual generational chain ofunbroken gratitude and appreciation that the worldwill ultimately become a better place. As Freemasonsit is incumbent upon us to not only make our lifesstory a good one through faith, hope and charity butalso through remembrance and appreciation for thosethat helped paved the way for us. It is up to us to keeptheir legacies alive so their time with us was not fornaught. We all want to believe we can make a positive

contribution in this world. Sometimes it is difcult tothink that we can make a difference but if we makeit a habit to be thankful, then that gratitude will betransformed into good works.

Then we spread that appreciation throughout thecommunity for all to hear, just like the Israelites of olddid. Im condent that each one of us can and shouldbe at peace with ourselves that we indeed did live alife of values.

Ill conclude with a story about the Dash. A manstood at a funeral of his friend and he referred to thedates on the headstone, the date and year of his birth

and the date and year of his death; from the beginningto the end. He then said, But what truly matters ina persons life is the dash between those years. Thatlittle line is what represents the life he lived. And thatis why I hope that we can all stand here this eveningbefore the memory of our brothers and those that haveserved and say with condence that we have lived upto their standards. Thats a very big part of being aMason. I ask you, how will your dash be remembered?Thank you. n



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Voice o Freemasonry

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Visions, Dreams,and Reality

Having entered the approach to the sunsetslopes of life, my thoughts frequently focuson that passage of scripture wherein it is

suggested that our children will prophesy; that ouryoung men will see visions; and that our old menwill dream dreams (Acts 2:17). While I do not con-test the general applicability of those observations,I nevertheless hold that wewho are of advanced agecan, even as we dream ofthe past, share the enthu-

siasm of youth for what isyet to be. In doing so it isimperative that our visionsand dreams be properlytempered by adequatemeasures of reality.

Over the course of my retire-ment years my thoughtshave increasingly focusedon the impact of Freema-sonry upon my life. Thatthe fortunes of the Craft

captivated my attention,decade by decade, can-not be denied. Initiation,for example, was for me acornerstone experience; awatershed divide; a turn-ing point in my evolvingperspective of being andpurpose. It gave me a newperspective, an enhancedappreciation of obligationto friends, neighbors, andto brothers in the frater-

nity. I knocked and the doorof opportunity, service, andpersonal enrichment wasopened. Thanks be to God.

In the years following my initiation I was afforded,as are all who willingly accept Masonic obligation,endless opportunities for self improvement. In con-sequence of that experience it became possible forme to preach and to teach, through the magic of the

written and spoken word,the worth of the tenets ofFreemasonry. In that effort, I think I may have founda fraternal fountain of youth, one in which I havebeen able to maintain my enthusiasm for the manyopportunities afforded by service in and for ourinstitution. In that effort I have been truly blessed.

Over the recent past, whilecontemplating my Masonicexperiences, I became

increasingly desirous ofpreserving and sharing thefruits of my labors. Centralto the satisfaction of thatobjective was my additionalconcern for the strengthen-ing and the perpetuation ofmy work in those Masonicquarries within which Ilabored. After considerationof my objectives and means,I decided to preserve andshare my work in digital

format. That chore is nowcomplete and the resultantCD is ready for distribution.

The central item on thisCD is entitled Talks andThoughts. In it some 200manuscripts, subdividedprimarily to reect wherethey were rst presentedrather than by content.Hence there are presenta-tions that focus primarily

on the Symbolic Lodge, theRoyal Arch Chapter, theKnights Templar, the Scot-tish Rite, as well as the

appendant Masonic Orders. These presentationsreect both my pervasive interests and those of theorganizations in which they were presented. In sum,they testify to my concern for the well-being of thetotality of a movement that is world-wide in scope.

Over the course ofmy retirement years

my thoughts have

increasingly focused

on the impact of

Freemasonry upon

my life. That the

fortunes of the

Craft captivated my

attention, decade by

decade, cannot be

denied.

Stewart W. Miner

Grand Secretary Emeritus

VISIONS, DREAMS, AND REALITY


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I have included on this CD some work that I previ-ously shared with my brethren in other media. Thecontent of essays previously presented in the book-let entitled Let Your Work Become Your Mark,for example, are included here. So too is a seriesof essays on the exploits of the Antient Templars,

originally prepared for the membership of ArlingtonCommandery. It is included on this CD because theTemplar Tribune, in which they once appeared,is now out of print.

I have personal interest in the presentations includedunder the heading Landmark Orations. Thereinare the texts of addresses I made when installed asMaster of my lodge, as Grand Master, and as GrandHigh Priest. Also included in this segment of theCD are presentations dealing with the history of the

Grand Secretaries Conference, remarks offered atthe time of my retirement as Grand Secretary; theoration I offered at the dedication of the newly con-structed Masonic Home in Richmond; the MasonicDay of Thanksgiving and Remembrance addresspresented during the Bicentennial Year of the Grand

Lodge; and other addresses of like import.I would suggest to those who may choose to openthis CD rst look at my endnote comments (seebelow). Doing so will reveal my personal convictionthat this CD is less about what I may have done forthe Craft, but rather what the Craft has done for me.It will also reveal my prayer that the contents of thisCD will, in some small way, be of use to those whoseek perfection through Masonry. To those who do, Ioffer a full measure of success. n

At the time o my initiation into Cherrydale

Lodge, I was truly a poor, blind candidate,knowing ar too little about the raternity

and its works and workings. On that evening,however, I experienced a transorma-

tion, one that truly changed myoutlook on lie or the better.

I believe that the contentso Talks and Thoughts

properly chronicle myresponse to all thoseobligations that I

accepted at thattime. While they

suggest in sumthat I am neither

a great speakernor a greatwriter, I pray that

they will attestto my unwavering

determination tosupport Freemason-

rys eternal goal theperection o a society inwhich a true Brotherhood

o Man under the Fatherhoodo God is a never-changing goal.

It seems to me that my expressions o personal

opinion testiy not only to what I may have donein Masonry, but much more importantly, to what

Masonry has done to me and to my perspec-tives in lie. In the process my views

have been shaped and immenselyenriched, and while I admit-

tedly remain ar short oper ect ion, Masonry

has immeasurably

enriched my socialand spiritual lie.

I am apprecia-tive and hopeul

that the contentso Talks and

Thoughts will, insome small way,be o use to all

readers who seekpersonal and soci-

etal perection. Toeach o those who

elect to participate inthis noble work, I wish

a ull measure o success.

Stewart Wilson Miner

February 10, 2012n

ENDNOTE FROM SELECTED TALKS AND THOUGHTS


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Voice o Freemasonry

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Thank You, Freemasonry.

It started on July 7th when my father, Bro. MosesEli Kahn, was initiated into Morrow Lodge No

265, F. & A. M., in Morrow, Ohio. He took his Fellow-craft Degree on August 4th, and was Raised a MasterMason on September 8th all in the year 1900 onehundred and twelve years ago. William McKinley ofOhio was President of the United States. The popula-tion of the United Stateswas 76.2 million. It wasonly thirty ve years after

the end of the Civil War,and three years before theWright Brothers famousrst ight.

My father was a memberof Morrow Lodge when hedied in an accident on Jan-uary 3rd, 1927, when I wasonly six weeks old. Becauseof this tragedy, I never hadthe opportunity to knowhim either as a fatheror as a Brother Mason. As I was

growing up, my mother took meto visit his grave, and on histombstone were the square andcompasses. I asked my motherwhat these symbols were. Ofcourse, she did not know, butshe said they were symbols ofMasonry, that my father had beena Mason, and that he enjoyedattending Masonic meetings,and nally she added, he was agreat and good man. So, in mychilds mind I equated greatness

and goodness with Masonry, andresolved to become a Masonwhen I could someday.

Someday nally happened whenI petitioned in 1955 and was Initiated, Passed andRaised in 1956 in the then Samuel Gompers Lodge No.45 in Washington, D.C. As I took my obligations as aMason, I realized that my father had taken upon him-self the same obligations fty-six years before me. At

those moments, I felt a spiritual kinship with my father a kinship which would have been impossible exceptfor our mutual association in Freemasonry. Even tothis present day, I feel that spiritual kinship wheneverI attend a Masonic lodge meeting.

For a long time, I had wanted to visit Morrow Lodge,and on several occasions talked about going butplans somehow didnt work out. Finally it was my

son, Bro. David Lowell Kahn,whom I had Initiated, Passedand Raised from the East

in 1984, who urged me togo. I called MW Bro. Man-sour Hate, PGM, GrandSecretary, and he securedthe name and phone numberof Morrow Lodge Secretary,Bro. Stephen Kaiser. Subse-quently, calls and e-mails toBro. Kaiser resulted in my

visit to Morrow Lodge onJune 2, 2012.

The ofcers and membersof Morrow Lodge were very

gracious and hospitable to me.They even made me an Honor-ary Member of Morrow Lodge.That dues card will appear nextto my fathers dues card for the

year 1926. My hope is that myson, David will someday add hisdues card to the collection. It isalso my hope that Davids son,my grandson, Joshua Eli Kahn,will become a Mason someday.That will make four generationsof Masons named Kahn.

I cannot ever repay Masonryfor the inestimable gift it hasgiven me, but my efforts to do sowill continue. My attendance at

meetings will continue. My offer to help will continue.My participation in degree work will continue. In short,I will do whatever is in my power to advance the Craftand its goals.

Thank you, Freemasonry. n

Thank You,Freemasonry

by Theodore M. Kahn, Grand Master 1985

(top) This Square and Compasses emblem

appeared on the exterior of Morrow Lodges

previous lodge hall at the time Bro. MosesKahn was a member. (bottom) The current

cornerstone of the new lodge hall visited by

MWB Ted Kahn in 2012.

THANK YOU, FREEMASONRY


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The Voice o Fre

17

Bro. Moses Eli Kahn,

raised in 1900

M.W. Bro. Theodore M. Ka

raised in 1956, Grand Ma

in 1985

THANK YOU, FREEMASONRY


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Voice o Freemasonry

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Congratulationsto Brothers Whitcomb, Volsky, and Rozsa, the 2012 Recipientso the Valentine Reintzel Medal or Meritorious Service

Citation Edwin Jay Whitcomb

Born in 1935, Edwin Jay Whit-comb is a native of SilverSpring, MD. He is a graduate

of Montgomery Blair High School.He received his BA in Economicsfrom Roanoke College in 1957. Inthat same year he married his wifeNancy and they have three sons anda daughter. He served in the MarineCorps from 1957-59, and upon his

discharge worked several jobs overthe years before going into businessfor himself as a carpenter.

WB Whitcomb was raised in JoppaLodge No. 35 in 1991, and served twoconsecutive years as its WorshipfulMaster in 1995 and 96, then as its Trea-surer in 2005 and has served as Secretaryof his lodge since 2006. He is also a foundingmember of Fiat Lux Lodge No. 1717.

WB Whitcomb is a 32nd Degree KCCH Scot-tish Rite Mason, where he is Assistant

Director of the 18th Degree. He is amember of Almas Shrine, where heis a Trustee, and a member andtreasurer of the Clown Unit. WBWhitcomb is also a member ofthe James F. Allen Chapter, RoyalArch Masons and the MontgomeryCommandery of Knights Templar.

WB Whitcomb has served as anAppointed Grand Lodge Ofcer underGrand Masters Dan Frederick (1999),Grant Berning (2001) Jules Tepper (2003),

Albert McNair Smith (2006), Jesse Villarreal (2011)and Joseph Crociata (2012). He currently servesas Assistant Grand Tyler. He is also the GrandRepresentative of the Grand Lodge of Columbia, Bar-ranquilla near our Grand Lodge.

Jay, as he is known by his Brethren, is well-known inMasonic circles as a dedicated laborer. He is alwayswilling to assist the Grand Lodge in any capacityand has been called on by many Grand Masters todo just that.

In 2011, Jay celebrated his 20thyear in the Craft, and we lookforward to many more to come.The Latin phrase Semper Fidelistruly exemplies this extraordi-nary Brother.

For his countless hours of dis-tinguished service to this GrandLodge, Grand Master Crociatais pleased to present WorshipfulBrother Edwin Jay Whitcomb with

the Valentine Reintzel Medal forMeritorious Service.

Citation Roman Volsky

The Grand Master is pleased to rec-ognize the contributions of Right

Worshipful Brother Roman Volsky tohis Lodges, to this Grand Lodge, and to

Freemasonry in general. His willingness toserve and demonstrated capacity to lead have

been unsurpassed in Masons of his generation,and merit recognition beyond the continued

greater challenges that his role as a Grand

Line Ofcer impose.

Roman Volsky was born in Odessa,Ukraine. He is married to his wifeTatiana, and is the proud father oftwo daughters.

He graduated the Odessa MarineEngineering University with a

degree in Mechanical Engineering.After a period of compulsory service

with the Soviet Navy, he established aprivate publishing company in his home-

town, managing it until December of 1990, when heimmigrated to the United States. When faced withthe choice of residing within the Russian commu-nity in New York City or making his home insteadin other locales that would require him to applyhimself to perfect his use of the English language,he chose the latter. This willingness to accept andmeet challenges is characteristic of Right WorshipfulBrother Volsky, and informs much of his professionaland Masonic success.

VALENTINE REINTZEL RECIPIENTS


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The Voice o Fre

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2012 Valentine Reintzel Medal recipients:

WB E. Jay Whitcomb, RWB J. David Moses Rozsa, RWB Roman Volsky

In 1995, he formed a full service media and pub-lishing rm that serves the US government, privateindustries, and international clientele, providingprinted and digital material in various languages.Roman Volsky is also an accomplished linguist, hold-ing the highest certications as an interpreter in theRussian language. He provides linguistic services tothe Courts, the Federal and State government andthe private sector.

Right Worshipful Brother Volsky joined the Craftin 1997, when he was initiated, passed and raisedin Benjamin B. French Lodge No.15 in Washington,DC. In 2004, as the Worshipful Master, he presidedover the celebration of the Lodges 150th Anniver-sary. His conduct of that celebration at the RonaldReagan Center included combined elements of cer-emony, the visual arts, music and opera, and madeit a centerpiece of the Grand Lodges welcome tothe Grand Masters attending the North American


VALENTINE REINTZEL RECIPIENTS


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Voice o Freemasonry

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Conference hosted by our Grand Lodge. As a PastMaster, he remains an active member of his Lodgeand is involved in its many programs. After servingas the Grand Sword Bearer in 2008, and the GrandMarshal in 2009, Right Worshipful Brother Volskywas elected the Junior Grand Steward in 2010. He

is presently serving the Grand Lodge of the Districtof Columbia as its Junior Grand Deacon. Throughouthis years of Grand Lodge service, his involvement inthe public and fraternal celebrations of the Craft hasadded immeasurably to the cultural and fraternal lifethat we enjoy.

He is also active in our local Valley of the ScottishRite, having served as the Venerable Master in AlbertPike Consistory in 2007. He is currently directingthe 14th Degree of its Reunions. In 2007, he wascoroneted a 33 Inspector General Honorary of theAncient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

Given his consistent contribution to the importantceremonies of the Craft, it should be with the highestmeasure of pomp, circumstance and panache thatthis award is bestowed on him today. In recognitionof his years of able service to the Fraternity, both inhis Lodges and for the Grand Lodge, The Grand Mas-ter is pleased to award the 2012 Valentine ReintzelMedal for Meritorious Service to Right WorshipfulBrother Roman Volsky.

Citation J. David Moses Rozsa

The Grand Master extends special recognition to the

contributions of Right Worshipful Brother J. DavidMoses Rozsa to his Lodges, to this Grand Lodge, andto Freemasonry in general. His willingness to serveand work diligently in the quarries of this GrandLodge demonstrates a seless sense of Masonic duty,which merits this award.

Born in Montral to American parents, RW. BrotherJ David Moses Rozsa spent most of his childhood inNew York City. He is married to Carolyn Grace Moses,and is the proud father of daughter Rachel and sonAlexander.

He attended the University of Southern California as

a National Merit Scholar, earning a Bachelor of Artsin Philosophy. He then attended the University ofIowa College of Law. After two years of law school,David moved to Northern Virginia and started apolitical campaign management and consulting rm.After a decade of managing the certication depart-ments of not-for-prot organizations including theNational Association of Mortgage Brokers, NationalConcrete Masonry Association, and Association ofClinical Research Professionals David founded

and currently serves as CEO of Metacred, Inc.,an association management company specializingexclusively in credentialing program management.He holds numerous certications in his eld.

Right Worshipful Brother David was initiated, passed,and raised in Albert Pike Lodge No. 33 in 2004, and

served as its Master in 2009. He distinguished hisservice to his Lodge in that year by the establishmentof a rigorous program of Masonic education, andthe Lodge was honored by the Grand Lodge in thatyear for its mentoring excellence. As a Past Masterhe remains active in the programs of his Lodge. Hehas served as President of the Masters and War-dens Association, and holds the 32nd Degree in theAncient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Juris-diction, Valley of Washington.

In 2009, Right Worshipful Brother David was electedto the Grand Line as Senior Grand Steward, and con-

tinued to serve in the Elected Line for three years.During that period, he was intimately involved in sev-eral of the Grand Lodges projects, including Visionand Mission project, Bicentennial celebration, GrandLodge family picnic, and Independence Day parades.For the past four years, Right Worshipful BrotherDavid has also organized the DC Freemasons St.Baldricks charity event.

If his entry into elected Grand Lodge Ofce deservescredit, his service as a Past Grand Lodge Ofcer mer-its this Award. After serving as Junior Grand Deaconin 2011, Right Worshipful Brother Rozsa became

a Past Junior Grand Deacon upon the vote of thisGrand Lodge. Where others might nd discourage-ment, he proved his dedication to the enrichment ofthis Grand Lodge with his acceptance of appointmentas the 2012 Grand Historian, and more especiallyas the Chairman of the Grand Lodge Code RevisionCommittee for this year. The work of this GrandLodge in revising the Code is without precedent inany year of living memory, and could not have beenaccomplished without the diligent and thoughtfulstewardship of Right Worshipful Brother Rozsa.

The seless labor of Right Worshipful Brother Rozsadistinguishes him as a man and Mason whoseinterest in promoting the welfare of the Craft faroutweighs any interest for personal honors or plau-dits. This distinction makes him eminently qualiedfor the honor we have the pleasure of bestowingupon him today. In recognition of his continued ser-vice to the Craft and this Grand Lodge, the GrandMaster takes great satisfaction in awarding the 2012Valentine Reintzel Medal for Meritorious Service toRight Worshipful J. David Moses Rozsa. n

VALENTINE REINTZEL MEDAL RECIPIENTS


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D.C. Mason AchievesThree Signicant Milestones

The month of June, 2012 was an exceptional monthfor Potomac Lodge No. 5 member, WB Leslie J.Munro, P.M., as he observed his 100th birthday on

June 16th and his 65th Masonic birthday on June 3rd.To assist in celebrating these rst two auspicious events,several members of Potomac Lodge traveled to Ocean City,Maryland on June 17th to attend a reception for WB Munro

given by members of his church. In addition to a birthdaycard to mark this occasion, the Master of Potomac Lodge,WB Robin C. Bodie, presented WB Munro with a suitablyengraved replica George Washington Gavel. Representingthe Lodge in addition to WB Bodie was the Lodge Chaplain

and WB Bodies father, WB Jeffrey G. Bodie, P.M.; RWBDean S. Clatterbuck, P.M.; WB Robert K. Armeld, P.M.;and Bro. David Cornwell.

WB Munro was born in the city of Winnipeg in Manitoba,Canada, but his family relocated to the United States in1927, settling initially in Lincoln, Nebraska. His father, aScottish stonemason by trade, of necessity moved to wherethe work was, going from Nebraska to St. Louis, then toChicago, and nally to Washington, D.C., where he workedon the National Cathedral, the National Archives Building,as well as other jobs. In each of these moves, he brought his

family with him to the new location.

Graduating during the Great Depression, WB Munro, like

millions of others, had difculty nding employment, andnally accepted a job working with the a crew that had acontract for repairs on the Washington Monument. Afterrepairs to the marble faade of the Monument were com-pleted, it was necessary to wash down the areas that hadbeen repaired, and WB Munro would perform the clean-ing task while on a scaffold hanging on the outside of theMonument. For this high-risk position, he was paid $0.50 anhour or $20.00 per week. WB Munro ultimately was hiredin 1935 by the Acacia Life Insurance Company, where heremained for 41 years until his retirement in 1976 as the

Companys Internal Auditor. At that time, Acacia, as thename suggests, was a largely Masonic-oriented insurancerm, with most top-level managers belonging to the Craft.

In 1939, WB Munro married and moved to the Marylandsuburbs where he lived and raised his family until movingto Ocean Pines, Maryland, following his retirement.

WB Munro became a member of Myron M. Parker LodgeNo. 27 in 1947, and served as Master of that Lodge in 1954.In 1959, he was elected Treasurer of the Lodge, serving inthat position for 15 years until 1974, when Parker Lodgeconsolidated into Potomac Lodge No. 5. (RWB Clatterbuck

notes that WB Munro is one of the few living Masons leftwho was present when he was raised in Parker Lodge in1958.) WB Munro was also active for many years in theVirginia Scottish Rite and Shrine.

The third signicant milestone occurred at the AnnualCommunication of Grand Lodge on November 17, 2012.Following the death on August 30, 2012 of WB Max Beloff,Past Master of Samuel Gompers-Benjamin Franklin LodgeNo. 45, the Grand Master in early October designated WBMunro to succeed WB Beloff as the recipient of the GrandLodge Gold Fidelity Medal, which was duly presented tohim on that occasion.

Since losing his beloved wife, Kathryn, in 2006 after 67

years of marriage, WB Munro has lived by himself in hishome in Ocean Pines. He is still quite active and drives hisautomobile on a regular basis, often visiting his son wholives in the Indian Head, Maryland area. He regularly singsin the Atlantic United Methodist Church choir in OceanCity. He also sings with the Pine Tones Chorus, a localgroup specializing in a wide variety of classic songs. TheGrand Lodge joins with the members of Potomac Lodge incongratulating WB Munro on these noteworthy events inhis life and for his contributions to Freemasonry. n

L to R: WB Robert K. Armeld, PM; WB Robin C. Bodie, WM; WB Leslie J. Munro, PM;

RWB Dean S. Clatterbuck, PM; WB Jeffrey G. Bodie, PM; Bro. David Cornwell at 100th

birthday celebration for WB Munro, June 17, 2012.

by Robin C. Bodie

Master, Potomac Lodge No. 5

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D.C. MASON ACHIEVES THREE SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES


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A New Face in the Grand Line:Michael D. Nicholas, Sr. Elected Junior Grand Stewardor 2013

Mike Nicholas will celebrate 35years of marriage to MaryannClair Nicholas this Decem-

ber. Blessed with two sons, 32 and29, they also have one grandson anda daughter-in-law. Mikes hometownis Ocean City, NJ. He graduated fromthe United States Military Academyat West Point many moons ago, andserved in US Cavalry and Infantrycommand assignments for 12 years.He is currently an Information Tech-nology manager in support of theSecretary of Defense at the Penta-gon, where he was working on themorning of Sep 11, 2001.

He was raised in LaFayette DuPontLodge #19 in August 2001, andserved as Lodge Secretary for 7 yearsprior to serving as Worshipful Masterin 2009 and 2010. He is currentlya Lodge Trustee and Chairman oftheir Works and Lecture Commit-tee. Mike was selected as the Grand

Representative to the Grand Lodgeof Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2010. He hasalso been a Trustee of the MasonicFoundation of the District of Colum-bia for 2011 and 2012. He was chosenby MWB Jesse Villarreal to serve asan Aide in 2011, and by MWB JosephCrociata as the Grand Marshal forthe Masonic Year 2012. He is alsoTreasurer of the DC Grand Chapterof the Widows Sons Masonic motor-cycle organization.

Outside of Freemasonry, his limitedtime is spent with his family, andin riding his motorcycle as often aspossible as the Treasurer for theAmerican Legion Riders in Fair-fax Virginia, whose focus is to raisemoney for Veterans causes. He alsoenjoys road-cycling and racquetball,and he is an amateur genealogist andfamily historian. n

Right Worshipful BrotherMichael D. Nicholas, Sr.

A NEW FACE IN THE GRAND LINE


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Potomac LodgeHolds a Low Vale Lodge

I

n 1992, WB Ramon Zeender became the rst

Potomac Lodge Master in many years to hold aVale Lodge meeting when a number of brethrenassembled at his farm at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland,and conferred the Master Mason Degree. Followingthe meeting, the brethren celebrated the event witha feast of pit-cooked beef.

Some 17 years later in 2009, WB Jeremy Barnesrevived the concept of a Vale Lodge by holding aSpecial Communication on September 1 of that yearon Theodore Roosevelt Island and conferring theMaster Mason Degree upon two Fellow Crafts. So faras is known, this was the rst Vale Lodge ever held byPotomac Lodge within the District of Columbia itself.The weather fully cooperated and the evening was agreat success. This event required the cooperation ofthe United States Park Service, to which the Lodgeexpressed its appreciation.

This year, under the leadership of WB Robin C.Bodie, the Lodge held a Low Vale Lodge in theShenandoah Caverns in Virginia. After more thansix months of advanced planning, 31 members ofthe Lodge, 4 Entered Apprentices, a Past Grand

Master of Vermont, and the Grand Lecturer, mostaccompanied by their ladies, assembled at theHampton Inn in Woodstock, Virginia, at high noonon Saturday, March 31, 2012. At 1:30 p.m., thegroup departed the motel and traveled to Route 11

Potato Chips, where they were met by the owner,Ms. Suzanne Cohen. Ms. Cohen gave the group anoverview of how potatoes are specially grown formaking potato chips, the manufacturing process for

producing potato chips, and howRoute 11 recycles,right down to agricultural use of the potato peels.The Company strives to be a waste-free facility. Herintroductory remarks were followed by the oppor-tunity to observe the potatoes being sliced, cooked,and packaged. Samples of all avors were readilyavailable and everyone had an opportunity to tastesome freshly cooked chips. A considerable amountofRoute 11 product departed with the group as theycontinued on to Shenandoah Caverns.

Special Communication attendeesgather after the meeting

Dean S. Clatterbuck

Honorary Past Senior Grand Warden

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POTOMAC LODGE HOLDS A LOW VALE LODGE


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Everyone wishing to do so was given a conductedtour of Shenandoah Caverns. As the only Cavernsin Virginia to offer Caverns access by elevator, allmembers attending had the opportunity to take atour. At the conclusion of the public tours, the Lodge

members assembled in Bacon Hall, so named becauseof the formations that resemble sides of bacon. Afterthe Lodge was set up, WB Bodie opened PotomacLodge at a Special Communication for the purposeof conferring the Fellow Craft Degree. After readingDispensations from the Grand Masters of Virginiaand the District of Columbia authorizing the meeting,the Fellow Craft Degree was conferred upon Bros.Quinn Cooke, Justin Foote, Dan Havey, and GeorgePerez. The Middle Chamber Lecture was deliveredby the Grand Lecturer , RWB Christopher ChipMahaney. After the conclusion of the Degree, WBBodie, assisted by WB Dean Clatterbuck, presented

a certicate of honorary membership in PotomacLodge to MWB Richard E. Fletcher, Past Grand Mas-ter of Vermont and the recently-retired Secretary ofthe Masonic Service Association of North America.It was noted that while MWB Fletcher has been therecipient of numerous honorary memberships, thiswas the rst one presented to him while he was 130feet underground. By this time, most of the mem-bers were becoming keenly aware of the constant 54degree temperature in the Caverns, and WB Bodie

hastened to close the Lodge. However, especially forthe four Entered Apprentices who were passed to theDegree of Fellow Craft, the afternoon was a particu-larly memorable one.

Shenandoah Caverns is owned by Mr. Earl Hargrove,

Jr., one of the founders ofHargrove, Inc., a Lanham,Maryland, company started in 1946 to specialize inthe creation of unique display windows for depart-ment stores. The company later evolved into thecreation and production of large parade oats anddisplays used at trade association shows and politicalconventions. Residents in the Washington, D.C. areamay be most familiar with the work ofHargrove, Inc.through their decorations of the National ChristmasTree on the Mall since 1954 as well as supportingthe Easter Egg Rolls on The White House lawn eachyear. Mr. Hargrove has developed several attractionsin addition to the Caverns to showcase some of hisaward-winning displays and oats.

While the Lodge members were involved in the LowVale Lodge, the ladies toured Main Street, U.S.A.,a Shenandoah Caverns attraction that features there-creation of department store windows that werepopular displays at special times in many depart-ment stores in the country in the 1950-70s. Fromthere, the ladies were transported to the Yellow

Barn, yet another attraction, where they enjoyed

WB Robin Bodie addresses attendees at banquet in American Celebrationon Parade following the days activities

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a wine and cheese tasting event, followed by theopportunity to view various agricultural exhibitsand antique vehicles as well as an active bee hivelocated in that facility.

The ladies then proceeded toAn American Celebra-tion on Parade, a large building which showcases

some two dozen or more oats that have appearedin many major parades, including the Rose Parade,the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, and anumber of inaugural parades. The men then joinedthe ladies and all enjoyed a reception followed bya buffet dinner featuring excellent Italian cuisineprepared by Chef Sal Di Roberto of Edinburg, Vir-ginia, with the tables set in front of a huge Americanag display that has appeared in several inauguralparades. At dessert time, WB Bodie presented WBClatterbuck with a beautifully decorated cake inrecognition of his birthday three days earlier. At the

conclusion of these festivities, everyone returnedto the Hampton Inn, where WB Bodie hosted ahospitality room for the continued enjoyment ofthose present. Sunday morning, everyone followedtheir individual schedules to have breakfast at theHampton Inn and either return home or do other

sightseeing in the Shenandoah Valley.Potomac Lodge is indebted to the Grand Master ofVirginia and MWBs Jesse Villarreal and Joseph S.Crociata, of our Grand Lodge for granting the neces-sary dispensations. In an effort to make the Lodge asportable as possible, RWB Roman Volsky producedtwo banners replicating the pillars at the West Gateand another banner replicating the Middle Chambercanvas. Bros. Cristian Wicha and David Cornwellof Potomac Lodge developed easily transportableLesser Lights, the letter G, a sunrise machine andpedestals for the Master and Wardens stations. n

Potomac Lodge members and familytour Shenandoah Caverns



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St. Johns Lodge, No. 11Raises $11,000 to Beneft Almas Transportation Fund

W

hen St. Johns No. 11 began its resurgence

several years ago, we were challenged bythe Grand Lodge leadership to become moreactive in our community and to start forming a lodgeidentity. One of things we did to facilitate this was tocreate an annual golf tournament. For the third yearin a row, St. Johns Lodge No. 11 organized a verysuccessful fund raising golf tournament at Joint BaseAndrews. Held on September 21st, the participantswere also blessed with beautiful weather and thepatriotic backdrop of military aircraft coming in anddeparting the area around the South Course.

The story of this years tournament began at thebeginning of the Masonic year. As is becoming cus-tomary, the Worshipful Master of St. Johns chosethe beneciary of the tournament. WB Justin Russell

chose Almas, and more specically their transpor-

tation fund. But WB Russell also challenged me astournament chair to organize the tournament in sucha way as it did not interfere with an extremely activeyear for initiating, passing, and raising many men inour lodge.

This year the tournament was a test of our will onmany fronts. Most of all, getting corporate sponsorsin this scal environment was extremely challenging.The St. Johns Cup is blessed in that it has severalrepeat sponsors, two of which are members of St.Johns Lodge. The premier sponsors of the eventwere RSDCGroup and Fareld Systems owned byBrothers Ryan Denmark and Ivan Roney. The MasonHarriman Group (Brother Teddy Vagias from Vir-ginia) and my wifes company Customer Relationship

by Michael J. Gambale Jr., PM

Brother Anil Patibandla and Worshipful Brother

Michael Gambale present Michael Sterling, Bob Estes,

and Ivan Abbott with the Past Masters Cup.

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ST. JOHNS LODGE RAISES $11,000


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Associates also stepped up their level of sponsorshipsthis year. These critical sponsors were the differencebetween raising a couple of thousand dollars, andour end result which we are proud to say was over$11,000.

I am also pleased to share that with the help of Illus-

trious Brother Don Ferguson and Almas, we wereable to coordinate the activities without detractingfrom the many degrees we did at St. Johns over thepast year. A growing lodge needs to be creative andthink outside the box in order to keep up with thenew demands of raising and educating new Freema-sons while staying involved in things that build on ouridentity. While not easily done, I believe that we metthat challenge last year.

As for the event itself, it was a low scoring affair asalways, with Michael Sterling, Bob Estes, and IvanAbbott taking home the championship. Mr. Estes and

Mr. Abbott are both repeat winners as they were partof a winning team the rst year. As we do each year,

their names will be engraved on the Past MastersCup. The banquet was an enjoyable affair wheremany prizes were distributed, the mission of AlmasTransportation Fund explained, and I believe I heardmore than a few conversations where men wereasking Masons about the Craft. I also had the true

pleasure of playing with my brother, Sean Gambale,a police ofcer from New Jersey who came down andplayed the game for the very rst time. The goodnews is he only broke two of my clubs. Also, I knowthat Almas received at least one petition out of theevent mine!

I wish to thank the Almas Shriners, the brethren ofSt. Johns No. 11, Naval Lodge No. 4, and all thosewho helped coordinate, volunteer, or support ourtournament nancially. As of right now, I believe weare on track to have the tournament again next year.Please keep our event in mind. We would love tosee more lodges get involved. You dont have to be agreat golfer. We make all feel welcome. n

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ST. JOHNS LODGE RAISES $11,000


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Grand Lodge of Free And Accepted Masons of the District of ColumbiaJoseph S. Crociata, Grand Master Mansour Hatef, Grand Secretary

Visit us online at: dcgrandlodge.org

The Voice o FreemasonryGrand Lodge, F.A.A.M. of DC

5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W.

Washington, DC 20016-2524

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Documents

The Voice of Freemasonry Vol. 29, No. 3