Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The Beginning

I am starting this blog to both follow my travels throughout this world and to discuss the Masonic as well as the Crusading Knights Templar.

 A little bit about me: I'm 25-years-old and I have been in the Freemasons for almost 4-years. In 2006, I was Initiated on May 19th, Passed on June 16th, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on June 23rd. On November 1st and 22nd, 2008, I was conducted throughout all the degrees and orders of the York Rite, thus becoming a Sir Knight in the Valiant and Magnanimous Order of the Temple. 

During the November 2008 Stated meeting, I was elected by the Brethren to sit in the Oriental chair and was installed into my office the following month, making me the youngest Worshipful Master in my Lodge's history. I had a lot of planning to do in my year as the following year was our Centennial Year. I also started up a working Child Identification Program (CHIP) for my Lodge and helped establish the Grand Lodge committee.  

I was also pleased to see so many people join in my year. Almost every available meeting night we had a candidate to confer the degrees on, sometimes multiple candidates each night. 

During the later part of my year, I was asked by the acting Eminent Commander to sit as the Senior Warden of our Commandery. Being a Worshipful Master, I hadn't taken an active role in any of the York Rite bodies. At the November elections, I was elected to serve the Companions of the Royal Arch as their Excellent High Priest, Principal Conductor of the Work for the Council, and Senior Warden for the Commandery. 

At my Lodge's election night, the Brethren elected the Senior Warden to serve as Worshipful Master for this year. I finished my year, received my implements of a Junior Past Master (apron, jewel, and being appointed Tyler of the Lodge). I have since the time taken a more involved role in the York Rite and enjoyed it immensely. 

I helped with this year's Grand Session of the Idaho York Rite bodies as the Registration Chairman. It was my first Grand Session and I had a fun time. I received the Order of the High Priesthood, now almost a week ago. My Commandery opened up the Grand Conclave and then turned it over to the Grand Officers. Among many distinguished visitors and guests, we had the distinct honor in welcoming the Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar USA, William Howard Koon II. We haven't had a Grand Master visit us in living memory. 

I lead the Teller Committee for the Grand Conclave and was pleased to announce that my good friend was elected to become the Grand Commander of Idaho. He was the one who signed my petition to join the York Rite, who knighted me, and who preceded me as Worshipful Master of my Lodge. The rest of the time went by quickly and I met many new acquaintances and friends. 

I will be traveling much this year as I am deploying to Iraq. I hope that I get Leave because I plan on visiting the European Masons. 

I will try to keep this up to date and start some intriguing discussions.