Fully rested, Sunday morning, I attended the Divine Services held by the Grand Prelate and his Associate Grand Prelates. The Grand Prelate's homily centered on John 10:27-29. I spent the rest of the day with my family again and explored the mountains east of Salt Lake City. Sunday night I attended the Grand Master's Reception seeing old friends and making new ones from all over the world; there were Templars from Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Europe, Western and Central Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
Monday morning kicked off with the Opening Session and Procession of Grand Encampment Officers, the Most Eminent Grand Master, Dignitaries of other Masonic bodies, Subordinate Commanderies, and, lastly, Grand Commanderies. During this morning session, Sir Knight Kussman, Most Eminent Grand Master, announced that Dr. Thomas Lee was the National Award of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar USA recipient. This is an award that is given by the Grand Encampment at each Triennial Conclave. It is awarded to a person--not necessarily a Knight Templar--who has made an outstanding contribution to our country through civic, professional, military, scientific, religious, etc., endeavors.
The Grand Master allowed remarks from dignitaries like the Prince Hall Grand Master, the Canadian Grand Master, the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite of the Southern Jurisdiction of the USA, and the Most Worshipful Grand Masters of Utah and California.
Monday afternoon started the business sessions of the Grand Encampment where I participated as a member of Divisions and References. After the Grand Master's Allocution, some gifts were exchanged and reports were given. During the Necrology Report, memorials were done for Sir Knight Thurman C. Pace Jr. (given by Sir Knight William H. Koon II, PGM), William J. Jones (given by Sir Knight David D. Goodwin, PGM), and James M. Ward (given by Sir Knight Jeffrey N. Nelson, PGM). We ended the day on a good note with a lot of work for Tuesday. Monday night I attended the Grand Master's Family Dinner where the two Associate Grand Prelates received the Knight Grand Cross of the Temple.
On Tuesday morning we were back to work. The Committee on Charters and Dispensations made a report where we approved to charter the Grand Commandery of Serbia and the York Grand Commandery of the United States of Mexico. More reports were given, but a notable one was by the Special Committee on Grievances who received a grievance from the Grand Commandery of Wyoming after Sir Knight Michael Johnson was removed from office in 2022. The committee included a Past Grand Commander of Wyoming, they met with delegates from Wyoming, and met with Templar Jurisprudence before coming to a unanimous decision to dismiss the grievance with prejudice. The report and motion to dismiss was accepted and adopted.
At mid-morning we adjourned the Grand Encampment and the Knights Templar Eye Foundation Inc. was opened. We had to vote on two Trustee positions where one Sir Knight was re-elected to serve and a good friend, Jeremy, was elected as a Trustee. We also passed a rewrite of the Constitution.
We then resumed labor in the Grand Encampment and completed a few business items before lunch. In the afternoon session, we elected the following officers for the 70th Triennial:
Most Eminent Grand Master: David J. Kussman
Right Eminent Deputy Grand Master: Jeff A. Bolstad
Right Eminent Grand Generalissimo: Jack M. Harper II
Right Eminent Grand Captain General: James C. McGee
Right Eminent Grand Treasurer: David A. Studley
Right Eminent Grand Recorder: Larry E. Tucker
Sir Knight Paul Ericson was appointed the Right Eminent Grand Prelate for the Triennium. Resolutions 1 and 3 failed, but Resolutions 2 and 4 and the Grand Master's Decisions passed.
Tuesday night the Grand Encampment held its Banquet where several hundred guests gathered taking up 3 ballrooms of the hotel. The food and fellowship were great and the night ended with the DeMolay's Ceremony of Light performed by the International Master Councillor and International Congress Secretary. The young men did an outstanding job and did their Order proud.
This morning the officers elected and appointed were installed. After a quick lunch, it's now time to head home and get ready for my next adventure.
I took a lot of photos and you can see them on Instagram or X.
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