Today marks an important day in history. This afternoon the Province of the United States of America was dissolved and the Grand Master's Council in England constituted Ye Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon USA in Reston, VA.The following officers were installed to lead the newly established Grand Council:
Most Worthy Grand Master: Sir André of ByronGrand Prior: Sir Reese of Bexar, KHProtector of Canterbury: Sir Michael of Seasalter, KHGrand Marshal: Sir Matthew of Philadelphia, KCGrand Treasurer: Sir Fred of Mount PleasantAssistant Grand Treasurer: Sir William of SeattleGrand Registrar: Sir Joe of GloucestershireGrand Secretary: Sir Ernest "Randy" of LavaletteGrand Historian: Sir John of GroveportDeputy Grand Marshal: Sir Joseph of ToftingallGrand Almoner: Sir David of MonroeGrand Warden of Regalia: Sir Christopher of BrenhamGrand Sword Bearer: Sir Jackie of Virginia BeachDeputy Grand Secretary: Sir Jack of BoonevilleGrand Banner Bearer: Sir Allen of RandolphAssistant Grand Marshal: Sir James of MidlothianAssistant Grand Marshal: Sir Aaron of MuhlenbergAssistant Grand Marshal: Sir Quentin of Lake PlacidAssistant Grand Secretary: Sir James of ArlingtonGrand Herald: Sir Edward of Belle VernonGrand Organist: Sir Jerry of GlensideGrand Doorkeeper: TBAGrand Cellarer: Sir Palmer of BarreGrand Cellarer: Sir Bernard of HoustonGrand Cellarer: Sir Emmett of LizellaGrand Cellarer: Sir Louis of EdinburghGrand Cellarer: Sir Robert of SpartaGrand Cellarer: Sir Ronald of RustonGrand Sentry: Sir Haigh of BelfastGrand Repreſentative: Sir Leslie of Wealas-ieg, KC
In 2004, Tahoma Chapel No.30 was constituted which allowed for the creation of the Province of the United States of America which occurred on September 11th, 2005. Sir André of Byron was installed as the Right Worthy Grand Preceptor and Sir Reese of Bexar was installed as the Provincial Grand Prior. Over the last 10-years, the Province of the United States of America has grown from three to twenty-three Chapels.
By 2014 the Province of the United States of America had grown large enough to separate and create its own Grand Master's Council. The Grand Master, Sir André of Byron, has stated that due to English roots, "we will continue to maintain all of the flavors of our English foundation. We will have the same rules for officeholders and honors as we now have under the English Constitution."
Today started with the meeting of Trinity Chapel No.12 then the Sir Melvyn of Wud Plumpton, Grand Master from England, then established two new Chapels. After a Festive Board, the Grand Master's Council reconvened where he invested Sir André of Byron and Sir Reese of Bexar with Knights Humilitas, the highest honor in the order. Sir André of Byron was then installed as Most Worthy Grand Master of the United States of America and Sir Reese of Bexar was installed as the Most Eminent Grand Prior. It was then Sir André's duty to install some of his officers and then invest Sir Matthew of Philadelphia with the honor of Knight Caritas. The Grand Masters, Grand Priors, and Grand Secretaries of both Grand Councils signed an accord that laid the foundation for the growth and recognition of each other. The Knights present then approved the constitution and ritual of the order.
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| Consecration of the two Chapels |
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| Consecration of the two Chapels |
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| Consecration of the two Chapels |
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| Investiture of the Knight Humilitas |
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| Investiture of the Knight Humilitas |
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| Investiture of the Knight Humilitas |
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| Knight Humilitas |
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| Sir André taking the oath of office |
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| The Baton and Ring of the Most Worthy Grand Master |
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| Sir Reese taking his oath of office |
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| The signing of the concord |
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| Knight Caritas |
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| Sir André giving his remarks before closing |
This is awesome! Will we see more charterings soon?
ReplyDeleteLove leatning new things about my ancesters!
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