2027 Masonic Week Schedule

The preliminary schedule of the 2027 Masonic Week has been released. It will be held from February 3-7, 2027, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC–Crystal City near the Reagan National Airport. You can find the registration here: https://amdusa.org/wp/masonic-week/

 

Wednesday, February 3, 2027

11:00 AM - Laying of the Wreath by the AMD Grand Council

3:00 PM - Conferral of Degree of Membership, Ancient Egyptian Order of Sciots

7:00 PM - Conferral of the Knight Grand Cross, Royal Order of the Red Branch of Eri

7:00 PM - San Jacinto Order No. 128, Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill

 

Thursday, February 4, 2027

8:00 AM - Order of Holy Wisdom, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests

9:30 AM - Grand Master's Council, Ye Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon

Aaron White - Grand Master

Russell Bridges - Grand Prior

Jeremy Vaughn - Grand Secretary

12:00 PM - St. Thomas of Acon Festive Board

1:30 PM - Education Presentation by Dr. Heather Calloway of Indiana University

2:30 PM - Grand Court of the USA, Masonic Order of Athelstan

D. Allen Surrat - Grand Master

David Cashion - Grand Secretary

5:45 PM - Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor 

David Ladd - Grand Preceptor

Larry Tucker - Grand Recorder 

7:00 PM - Athelstan Banquet

9:00 PM Masonic Order of the Bath

Kim Bowman - Commander-General

Bill Snyder - Keeper of the Bath Records

9:00 PM - Masonic Order of Pilgrim Preceptors

David Boswell - Grand Master

George Haynes - Regional Governor 

Alan Beidel - Regional Secretary 

 

Friday, February 5, 2027

7:00 AM - York Rite Sovereign College Breakfast

8:30 AM - Knight Commander, Royal Order of the Red Branch of Eri

9:00 AM - Ladies Breakfast 

9:00 AM - Grand Council of Knights Masons of the United States of America

Russell Bridges - Great Chief

Brandon Penley - Grand Scribe

12:00 PM - Knights Masons Luncheon

1:00 PM - Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests

Jeff Nelson - Grand Preceptor

Larry Tucker - Grand Registrar

3:15 PM - Grand College of Rites

John Habel - Grand Chancellor

Rick Patton - Grand Registrar

5:00 PM - Society of Blue Friars

Arturo de Hoyos - Grand Abbot

Mark Tabbert - Deputy Grand Abbot

Richard Fletcher - Secretary-General

5:00 PM - Conferral of the Installed Sovereign Master, Allied Masonic Degrees

6:00 PM - Conferral of the Installed Supreme Ruler, Allied Masonic Degrees

7:00 PM - The Philalethes Society Banquet

7:00 PM - Great Priory of America, CBCS, Dinner

9:00 PM - Ye Antiente Order of Corks

Marion Humphreys - Grand Bung of the Americas

Saturday, February 6, 2027

7:00 AM - All Masonic Breakfast

8:00 AM - 1° - 3°, Royal Order of the Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord

9:45 AM - 4°, Royal Order of the Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord

10:30 AM - The Philalethes Society

Oscar Alleyne - President

Tyler E. Vanice - Secretary

12:00 PM - KYCH Luncheon (open to all)

1:30 PM - Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees

Duane Vaught - Sovereign Grand Master

Seth Anthony - Grand Secretary

2:00 PM - Ladies Tea 

Following Grand Council - Council of the Nine Muses No. 13, AMD

6:00 PM - All Masonic Social Hour 

7:00 PM - All Masonic Banquet

9:00 PM - Conferral of St. Lawrence the Martyr, Allied Masonic Degrees

9:45 PM - Conferral of Royal Ark Mariner, Allied Masonic Degrees

Sunday, February 7, 2027

8:30 AM - Washington Monument Assemblage

Jason Varner VI° - Deputy Master Mason

Alan Beidel VIº - Clerk

9:00 AM - Lodge of Menatzchim, V°

10:30 AM - Lodge of Harodim, VI°

12:30 PM - The Operatives Brunch

Passing of Bill Miller

I found out today that William R. Miller, a good Mason, passed away. I met Bill when I joined Knight Masons and St. Thomas of Acon in March 2013. Along with Joe and Louis, it was through Bill's generosity that I was able to attend Masonic Week, starting in 2014. I would sleep on the hide-a-bed in the hospitality room that they hosted. Over the next few years, I got to know Bill very well. In 2015, he appointed me as a member of his Hospitality Committee when he presided over the Red Cross of Constantine.

Bill was born on November 2, 1935, in Seattle, WA, but he received his public education in Washington, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa. He received a B.S. in Industrial Administration from Iowa State University, where he joined the Delta Epsilon fraternity. After nearly 38 years, he retired in July 1994 as a Facilities Resource Manager with Boeing. Bill and his high school sweetheart, the late Maralyn Edwards, a Rainbow girl, were married on October 12, 1957, in Knoxville, TN. 

Bill was a member of the Morningside Chapter of DeMolay, where he was a Representative DeMolay and received the Zerubbabel Key. He was Dean of Tacoma Legion of Honor Preceptory (1983). As an adult, he served on the Advisory Boards of the local DeMolay Chapter and Rainbow Assembly, serving as Dad Advisor and Rainbow Dad, respectively, receiving the DeMolay Guild of the Leather Apron and Grand Cross of Color. He was elected a member of the DeMolay Supreme Council in 1994 and was Grand Orator (2008). He was a Past Patron of Pyramid Chapter No. 257, Order of the Eastern Star. 

Bill was made a Mason in Queen Anne Lodge No. 242 in Seattle on March 12, 1959, later demitted to Thornton F. McElroy Lodge No. 302 in Federal Way, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1966 and again in 2016. He served as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Washington (1989-90). He served the Conference of Grand Masters of North America on its Fraternal Relations Committee (1989-93). He was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Children (1988-1994) and its President (1992-94). 

In the Scottish Rite, he served as Venerable Master of Tacoma Scottish Rite 1984, was made a Knight Commander Court of Honor in 1973, coroneted an Inspector General Honorary in 1985, was crowned Sovereign Grand Inspector General of Washington in October 1993 (serving for 20 years) and served as Grand Minister of State of the Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. 

He was a member and past presiding officer of a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Council of Cryptic Masons, Commandery of Knights Templar (recipient of the Illustrious Knights of the Triangle from the Grand Commandery of Washington and the Knight Commander of the Temple from the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar), York Rite College (recipient of the Order of the Purple Cross and Past Deputy Grand Governor of Washington) and SRICF College (IX° - Magus). He was also a member of the Royal Order of Scotland, KYCH, the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, and the Afifi Shriners. Bill was Sovereign Master of Pacific Council No. 30 and Most Venerable Sovereign Grand Master of the Grand Council (AMD) in 2006. He was the Excellent Chief of Clontarf Council and served as the Most Excellent Great Chief of the Grand Council of Knight Masons, USA in 2018. Bill was Worthy Master of Tahoma Chapel No. 30, St. Thomas of Acon, and served as Most Worthy Grand Master of the Grand Masters Council, USA in 2017. He joined the Holy Order of Knights Beneficient of the Holy City, Great Priory of America (CBCS) in 2000 and served as the Most Reverend Great Prior. He joined St. Alban Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1983, served as Puissant Sovereign in 1991, and Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign in 2014-2015. 

Bill was a member of Marine View Presbyterian Church and the Federal Way School Board (1975-1986) (three terms as president) (Washington State School Board of the Year 1980).

Bill was survived by son Brian, daughter Kathleen Ancel, and grandchildren Jeremy, Kyle, Colin, and Brandon.

2026 Masonic Week Schedule

The preliminary schedule of the 2026 Masonic Week has been released. It will be held from February 4-8, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC–Crystal City near the Reagan National Airport. You can find the registration here: https://amdusa.org/wp/masonic-week/

 

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

11:00 AM - Laying of the Wreath by the AMD Grand Council

7:00 PM - 6°, Royal Order of the Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord

7:00 PM - San Jacinto Order No. 128, Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill

 

Thursday, February 5, 2026

8:00 AM - Installed Supreme Ruler, Allied Masonic Degrees

8:45 AM - Worshipful Commander Noah, Allied Masonic Degrees

9:30 AM - Grand Master's Council, Ye Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon

Aaron White - Grand Master

Kevin Sample - Grand Prior

Jeremy Vaughn - Grand Secretary

12:00 PM - St. Thomas of Acon Festive Board

1:15 PM - Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor 

Michael Kastle - Grand Preceptor

Larry Tucker - Grand Recorder

1:15 PM - Order of Holy Wisdom, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests

3:00 PM - Grand Court of the USA, Masonic Order of Athelstan

D. Allen Surrat - Grand Master

David Cashion - Grand Secretary

6:00 PM - Installed Sovereign Master, Allied Masonic Degrees

7:00 PM - Athelstan Banquet

9:00 PM - Ye Antiente Order of Corks

Marion Humphreys - Grand Bung of the Americas

9:00 PM - Masonic Order of Pilgrim Preceptors

David Boswell - Grand Master

George Haynes - Regional Governor 

Alan Beidel - Regional Secretary 

 

Friday, February 6, 2026

7:00 AM - York Rite Sovereign College Breakfast

8:30 AM - Knight Commander, Royal Order of the Red Branch of Eri

9:00 AM - Ladies Breakfast 

9:00 AM - Grand Council of Knights Masons of the United States of America

Lloyd Leinbaugh - Great Chief

John Bristol - Grand Scribe

12:00 PM - Knights Masons Luncheon

1:00 PM - Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests

James Winzenreid - Grand Preceptor

Larry Tucker - Grand Registrar

3:00 PM - Grand College of Rites

Frank Modica - Grand Chancellor

Rick Patton - Grand Registrar

4:30 PM - Society of Blue Friars

Arturo de Hoyos - Grand Abbot

Mark Tabbert - Deputy Grand Abbot

Richard Fletcher - Secretary-General

4:30 PM - 6°, Royal Order of the Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord

7:00 PM - The Philalethes Banquet

7:00 PM - Great Priory of America, CBCS, Dinner

9:00 PM Masonic Order of the Bath

Charles Schubert - Commander-General

Bill Snyder - Keeper of the Bath Records

Saturday, February 7, 2026

7:00 AM - All Masonic Breakfast

8:00 AM - 1° - 3°, Royal Order of the Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord

9:30 AM - Ladies Bus Trip

9:45 AM - 4°, Royal Order of the Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord

10:30 AM - Philalethes Society

Adam Kendall - President

Terry Tilton - Secretary

12:00 PM - All Masonic Luncheon

1:15 PM - Council of the Nine Muses No. 13, AMD

2:00 PM - Ladies Tea 

2:30 PM - Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees

Doug Knauer - Sovereign Grand Master

Seth Anthony - Grand Secretary

6:00 PM - All Masonic Social Hour 

7:00 PM - All Masonic Banquet

9:00 PM - Royal Ark Mariner, Allied Masonic Degrees

9:45 PM - Order of the Secret Monitor, Allied Masonic Degrees

Sunday, February 8, 2026

8:30 AM - Washington Monument Assemblage

Deputy Master Mason - Jason Varner VI°

Clerk - Alan Beidel VIº

9:00 AM - Lodge of Menatzchim, V°

10:30 AM - Lodge of Harodim, VI°

12:30 PM - The Operatives Brunch

RIP Reese Harrison

I just heard that Bro. Reese Harrison passed away on August 29, 2025. He could be outspoken at times, but always devoted and knowledgeable.

Reese Lenwood Harrison, Jr., of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on August 29, 2025. Born January 5, 1938, he devoted his life to the law, to military service, to his church and community, and above all to Freemasonry, where his record of service and leadership stands among the most distinguished in Texas history.

A graduate of Baylor University and Southern Methodist University School of Law, Reese was admitted to the bar in 1962 and began his career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. He later became a senior partner, CEO, and litigation chair at Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison & Tate, and practiced with Clark Hill PLC. Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and nationally recognized for his litigation work, he was consistently named among Best Lawyers in America and Texas Super Lawyers.

In addition to his distinguished legal career, Reese served nearly 35 years in the Texas Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve, retiring as a Colonel and later receiving a brevet promotion to Brigadier General. He was honored with the Major General Paul D. Straw Trophy in 1991 for exemplary military and civic service.

A devoted husband and proud father of two daughters, Reese was also deeply active in civic, charitable, and heritage organizations, including the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Trinity Baptist Church, the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and Freemasonry, where he held many national and international offices. He will be remembered as a man of service, leadership, and faith who gave tirelessly to his country, profession, and community.

His Masonic career is quite extensive, and it’s almost impossible to sum it up quickly…so I won’t try. Raised in Albert Pike Lodge No. 1169 (1959), Reese went on to serve as Worshipful Master (1969–70) and later Cibolo Lodge No. 151 (2004–05). He served as District Deputy Grand Master (1982), District Education Officer (1997–2000), Grand Orator (1987), and the President of the Masters, Wardens, and Secretaries Association. He received numerous honors, including the Golden Trowel Award, the Henry Price Medal (Massachusetts), and the Pierpoint Edwards Medal (Connecticut). He served as Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Texas in 2004.

Reese was exalted in San Antonio Chapter No. 381 (1959), Royal Arch Masons, where he served as Excellent High Priest and long-time Treasurer. He was District Deputy Grand High Priest (1971) and Most Excellent Grand High Priest of Texas in 2014. In Cryptic Masons, Reese was greeted in San Antonio Council No. 14 (1960), serving as Thrice Illustrious Master. He was District Deputy Grand Master (1971, 1974) and Most Illustrious Grand Master of Texas in 2018. In Templary, he was knighted in San Antonio Commandery No. 7 (1960), where he served as Eminent Commander (1974). He was recognized with the Commander’s Merit Award, the Knight Templar Cross of Honor (2001), and the ranks of Knight Commander of the Temple (1992) and Knight Grand Cross of the Temple (1999) by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar USA.

Reese received the 32° in 1959, invested a KCCH in 1971, and coroneted 33° Inspector General in 1979. He held multiple presiding offices in the Valley of San Antonio, including Venerable Master and Wise Master, and served as Personal Representative of the SGIG. He was also active in the Scottish Rite Research Society.

Reese was created a Noble of Alzafar Shrine (1959), later serving as Potentate in 1979 and President of the International Past Potentates Association (1985–86). He served as Monarch of Omala Grotto (1979), longtime Zone Director, and national officer. Reese was also active in the Royal Order of Jesters, Order of Quetzalcoatl, and the Cabiri.

Reese held some of the highest offices in Masonry internationally:

• Governor General (1998–2000), Regent, and recipient of the Knight Grand Cross of York in the York Rite Sovereign College of North America
• Grand Master General (2004–2005) and later Grand Treasurer-General in the Knights of the York Cross of Honour
• Sovereign Grand Preceptor (2003–2007) and later Grand Treasurer in the Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor 
• Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign (2006–2007) in the United Grand Imperial Council of the Red Cross of Constantine of the USA and its Jurisdictions
• Past Chief Adept of Texas College, IX° (1992), and Knight Grand Cross (1999) in the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis
• Most Excellent Great Chief of the Grand Council of the USA (1996) in the Knight Masons.
• Most Venerable Sovereign Grand Master of the USA (1999) for the Allied Masonic Degrees.
• Most Worthy Grand Master (USA, 2016–2017) in the Order of St. Thomas of Acon
• Life Member (1967) and Substitute Provincial Grand Master of the USA in the Royal Order of Scotland
• Most Illustrious Grand Chancellor (2007) in the Grand College of Rites
• Most Honorable Commander General (2003–2007) in the Masonic Order of the Bath
• Most Eminent Grand Preceptor of the Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests 
• Master Councilor, Chevalier, Legion of Honor, Executive Officer for Texas, and Grand Master of DeMolay International (1982–83) in the Order of DeMolay 

He was also a member of the Order of High Priesthood, Silver Trowel, Knights Crusaders of the Cross, National Sojourners, Heroes of ’76, High Twelve International, Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Ancient Egyptian Order of Sciots, Texas Lodge of Research, Philalethes Society, Scottish Rite Research Society, and Alabama Confederate Military Lodge of Research

Across more than six decades, Reese rose from Blue Lodge leadership to the highest councils of the Craft worldwide. His dedication, intellect, and unwavering commitment will long be remembered by his brethren in Texas and around the globe.