Masonic Week 2025

Another successful Masonic Week has been completed. This year we had over 600 attendees (the largest crowd ever) and it was great to see old friends and make new ones.

I arrived at DCA on Wednesday and spent the afternoon socializing. A special thank you to the Brothers of Missouri for inviting me to join them for dinner.

On Thursday morning, I attended the Annual Meeting of the Grand Master’s Council of the United States of America for Ye Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon, where I had the privilege of witnessing two outstanding Masons preside as Grand Master and Grand Prior. During the installation of our new Grand Master, I was honored to be appointed Grand Registrar under his governance.

After the St. Thomas of Acon Festive Board, I attended the Annual Meeting of the Grand Chapter of the Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor, which proved to be quite interesting. Later, I witnessed a historic moment: the inauguration and constitution of the Grand Court of the Masonic Order of Athelstan in the United States of America. It was a privilege to serve as part of the escort for the installation of officers and to witness Masonic history in the making.

On Friday, I attended the 91st Annual Ingathering of the Grand College of America for the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests. The rest of the evening was spent socializing with Brothers from around the world, enjoying the camaraderie that makes Masonic Week so special.

Saturday was dedicated to the 133rd Annual Communication of the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America. Congratulations to the newly installed officers and to Bryce Hildreth for receiving the Fowler Award (a well-deserved honor).

Now, as I find myself in Texas for work, I must admit that I am exhausted!

Grand York Rite of Idaho

It's been a busy 3-days with the annual sessions of the Grand York Rite of Idaho and several appendant bodies.

Thursday morning started with the Order of the Silver Trowel. For this chair degree, I did my normal part of the degree as Adonijah, one of the antagonists in the ritual. Syringa Order No.121 of the Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill. It's always fun to put this degree on and I was appointed Chaplain for the ensuing year. After lunch, the Order of High Priesthood met and this was one of the few years where I've not had to take part in the degree so I was able to just be an observer. Later that afternoon, Idaho Priory No.13 of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor initiated two new Knights. Even though I'm a Past Prior I still contribute to the Priory as I give the Chapter lecture. In Idaho, our College of Honors throws a Dinner for those holding the Knight Commander of the Temple. It was announced at the Dinner that we have a new Co-Dean of the College of Honors for Idaho. Sir Knight Vaughn, current Northwest Department Commander, has been named as Co-Dean as Sir Knight Ernie Teter, Past Department Commander, passed away last August.

With Friday morning came the Public Opening and Joint Session where the Grand Commander presided. I was in charge of the introductions of all distinguished guests and visitors, but I had plenty of help from my fellow Companions and Sir Knights. After the Joint Session adjourned, the Idaho Chapter of Knights Preceptors met and conferred the order on six new Preceptors. I was later elected Seneschal for Idaho Chapter. After lunch, the 119th Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Idaho convened. I stood before the Conclave and moved to formally endorse Sir Knight Jim McGee of Alabama for Right Eminent Grand Captain General of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the USA in 2024. I also had the distinct honor to be elected Grand Generalissimo for the ensuing year. After the installation of officers, I walked over to the Scottish Rite building where the Divine Services and Holy Land Pilgrimage Dinner were held. Once the dinner was completed, the Companion Knights of Tri-Valley College No.178 of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America held its annual meeting where we elected and installed a new set of officers for the ensuing year.

Saturday morning brought the 89th Annual Assembly of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Idaho. I also did the Introduction of Distinguished Guests and presented the Budget for the Grand Council for 2022-2023. After lunch, it was a pleasure to attend the 114th Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Idaho to watch my best friend preside. This is also the third and final Grand York Rite body for him to preside over. He did 3-years back-to-back: Most Illustrious Grand Master (2019-2020), Right Eminent Grand Commander (2020-2021), and Most Excellent Grand High Priest (2021-2022). I was also honored to help bestow the Ephraim A. Kirby Award on him during the banquet that evening. I also had the pleasure of assisting the installation of officers for the ensuing year as Installing Grand Chaplain. The new Grand High Priest and I have known each other since I was first initiated into Freemasonry and he has had a profound impact on my Masonic career. On Friday evening came the Banquet of the Grand Sessions where I served as Master of Ceremonies. In my capacity as Regional Deputy in the Royal Arch, I helped award a Distinguished Service Medal in Bronze, two Chapter Sweetheart Awards, an Ephraim A. Kirby Award, and a Grand Lady of York medal.

If all of that wasn't enough, Intermountain Chapel No.27 of the Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon met Sunday morning where we initiated a new member and I was appointed as Eminent Prior for the ensuing year.

Now it's time to get home and relax for a few days. With Freemasonry and Easter, I've been able to be home for a few days without traveling on the road for work, but now my busy travel season is approaching.

Order of Quetzalcoatl

Some years ago, before I joined the Shrine, I was talking to a Brother who was involved with the local Shriner's Temple and we started talking about a group he was calling "Q". I knew about the Royal Order of the Jesters, but, until that point, I had not heard of "Q" or, by its full name, Order of Quetzalcoatl. This order is an invitational body for those Masons who are also Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and whose philanthropy focuses on transportation funds for Shriners hospitals.

The basic organizational unit is known as a Teocalli. "Teocalli" is defined as a God-house or temple that surmounted a terraced pyramid commonly found in Mesoamerica, which is where the legend of this order stems from. Local Teocallis fall under the governance of the Supreme Teocalli, but the Teocallis are given a lot of autonomy. There are Teocalli in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Panama. Members of this order are known as "Artisans." There are two degrees conferred by this order: Artisan and Master Artisan. 

A Teocalli is led by the following officers:

Camaxtli (presiding officer)

Chimalma (similar to a VP)

Huemac (similar to a VP)

Titlauacan (similar to a VP)

Tlacuilo (Secretary)

Calpixque (Treasurer)

Cuatemoc (Inner Guard and Guide)

Netzahualcoyotl (Outer Guard)

High Priest or Teopixqui (Chaplain)

Teocallis can come together and form regional associations which are presided over by a Chief.

If Nobles are interested in forming a new Teocalli, they need at least 15 Shriners that reside in the same jurisdiction as their Shriners Temple, are in good standing, and a Teocallis doesn't already exist in that jurisdiction. Then they would contact the Supreme Teocalli and petition for dispensation.

The Order of Quetzalcoatl was founded on March 14, 1945, by Arthur J. Elian in Mexico City. He was a scholar of ancient Mesoamerican history and of Mexican lore. He was also a very involved Mason having been elected as Grand Master of the Muy Respectable Gran Logia Valle de Mexico as well as being recognized as Emeritus Registrar and 33° of the Scottish Rite of Mexico, and Recorder Emeritus of Anezah Temple. Not much is known of the formative years of the order, but the order spread after Shriners from Arizona and California had made trips to Mexico City and were initiated into it. They carried it back to the US where it spread over the years and eventually led to the formation of the Supreme Teocalli.

This order takes its name from an ancient Mesoamerican god by the same name. Quetzalcoatl is known as the Plumed Serpent and his name comes from the Nahuatl words "quetzalli" meaning "precious feather" and "coatl" meaning "serpent". Quetzalcoatl was a storm god who was considered the creator of the world and mankind, and is often associated with the rain god, Tláloc. He was considered the patron and god of learning, science, agriculture, crafts, and the arts. In Aztec mythology, he was the brother of Tezcatlipoca (god of night and sorcery), Huitzilopochtli (god of war, the sun, and human sacrifice), and Xipe Totec (god of spring and vegetation). Other legends state that he was a prophet and leader of a group of men known as the Toltecs (craftsman or builders) who was then deified after he had attained such enlightenment that merited his ascension.

Once a Noble accepts an invitation into the order, he is obligated as a Coate or tribesman. Within one year of that happening, he must receive the Artisan degree. Within two years of becoming an Artisan, one must obtain the Master Artisan degree during the Feast of Fire (their annual business meeting). It also seems like one can attain Master Artisan by going on a pilgrimage to the Temple of Quetzalcoatl at Teotihuacan (north of Mexico City) or Chichen Itza (Cancun).

References

Brief History of the Name Quetzalcoatl and the Toltec Ancestry of the Order. (n.d.). Retrieved from Supreme Q: https://www.supremeq.com/menu_bar/history.pdf 

Cartwright, M. (n.d.). Quetzalcoatl. Retrieved from Mukilteo Teocalli Number 111: http://teocalli111.org/page6.htm 

Order of Quetzalcoatl. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Quetzalcoatl

Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation

The Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation (CMMRF) is an amazing charity in Cryptic Masonry. The CMMRF helps advance the research into Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology. The primary recipient of the donations is the Indiana Center Vascular Biology and Medicine (ICVBM) located at the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Richard Roudebush Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN.

The CMMRF was started under the governance of Ben Mandelbaum, Most Puissant General Grand Master of the General Grand Council, Cryptic Masons International. It was incorporated in the state of Oklahoma on March 6, 1986. The CMMRF is run by a Board of Trustees along with a President and Executive Secretary. The General Grand Master serves as the President during his triennial. You can see the timeline of the CMMRF here: https://cmmrf.org/cmmrf-timeline/

Initially, the CMMRF focused on the cause and a cure for atherosclerosis and its complications. They started to incorporate adult stem cell therapies. Currently doing research into strokes, Osteoarthritis, Pancreatitis, Acute Kidney Injury, Diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Congestive Heart Failure, Juvenile Diabetes, Peripheral Artery Disease, and lingering wounds. One of the most notable patents that have come from this research is the "Closer". The vascular Closer is a device that is used over 500,000 times a year with surgeries on arteries. There are research videos available for download on the CMMRF website.

Each year CMMRF continues to grow in financial assets. As of December 31, 2017, the CMMRF has received $5,698,149.04 in contributions. CMMRF has $3,788,565.90 in financial assets. CMMRF has given the Indiana University School of Medicine $4,589,464.86. Cryptic Masons have given Grants equaling $4,685,464.86 from 1978 to the present time. Income from investments helps to fund these grants.

In recognition for contributing, the CMMRF gives lapel pins for donations of $50, $100, $150, $300, $500, and $750. Certificates are also issued for donations of $25, $50, $100, $500, and $100 as well as for Cryptic Councils who have 100% participation. A plaque is also issued for donations of $1,000. After the first $1,000 donation, an individual will receive a gold-filled Nine Arch pin with a diamond chip for each additional $1,000. To celebrate the chartering of the CMMRF, the Board of Trustees declares March 6th, as CMMRF DAY each year, calling on all Cryptic Masons to donate nine dollars ($9) as a tribute to this philanthropy and its great works.

Knight of the Holy Land

While at the 67th Triennial of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America, I enjoyed meeting knights from all over the world. One of the Grand Encampment's charities is the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. This foundation is funded primarily by local Commanderies, but some Grand Commanderies have formed an endowment fund. One example is the Grand Commandery of Oklahoma who created the Holy Land Pilgrimage Endowment.

According to the Grand Commandery of Oklahoma: 

At the 2015 session of this Grand Commandery, a permanent Holy Land Pilgrimage Endowment was authorized to be established as a separate, segregated account within the Grand Commandery of Oklahoma. The purpose was to create an investment pool of funds whose earnings would be used solely for the benefit of the Oklahoma Holy Land Pilgrimage program. The fund was established, and contributions received

This fund helps pay the expenses of sending a Minister to the Holy Land under the sponsorship of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. By 2017, they had 22 Sir Knights who had donated to this fund. Those who have contributed at least $1,000 to the fund are entitled to wear a jewel (see pic) as well as receiving a plaque and lapel pin. I think this is a fantastic idea and will be striving to bring this to the Grand Commandery of Idaho.

Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine

The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine is more commonly known as the Shriners and is a fraternity "based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth." The Shriners are known for their red fezzes, participation in parades, and support of the Shriners Hospitals for Children®. The Shrine has been described as "Pleasure without intemperance, hospitality without rudeness and jollity without coarseness." As of 2000, in order to join the Shrine, one must be a Master Mason in good standing. Previously one needed to be in either the York Rite or Scottish Rite to join the Shrine.

The history of the Shriners goes back to New York City and four men: Dr. Walter M. Fleming, William J. Florence, Charles T. McClenachan and William S. Paterson. Dr. Fleming conceived the idea to start a fun fraternal order for Scottish Rite or York Rite Masons (though in 2000 those requirements were dropped). Fleming first made the proposal to Florence, who would be key in the founding rituals of the Shrine, before approaching the other two. The idea for an Arabic themed group came from Florence who had attended a party of an Arabian diplomat while in France. They gathered up support with 13 Masons interested in forming this new group and on September 26, 1872, they officially formed the Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America. The first Temple was named Mecca and Dr. Fleming was named as its first Potentate. The spread of this new order was slow and after 4-years there was only 43-Nobles. It was with the formation of the Imperial Grand Council, a national governing body, that caused the Shriners to prosper. The Imperial Grand Council was formed on # #, #, in New York City, with Dr. Fleming named as the first Imperial Grand Potentate. Please note that in 1886, the Imperial Grand Council met in Cleveland, OH, where it was decided to drop the word "Grand." The first meeting was brief, but established its headquarters, or Grand Orient, in New York City; appointed officers and honorary members of the Imperial Grand Council; established committees; established fees for chartering new Temples, per capita assessment, and for initiation; established the membership requirements of the Shrine; and chartered four new Temples throughout New England. Over the next couple of years, the Shriners started to expand, but would experience momentous growth starting in the late 1880s, spreading to the Midwest United States and into Canada. Up to this point the Shrine had no single, unified philanthropy; Shriner Temples each generously supported local and national charities. In 1919, Noble W. Freeland Kendrick proposed the idea of a philanthropy that focused on children and at the 1920 Imperial Council meeting he made a motion to “establish a Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.” Noble Kendrick became known as the "Father of the Hospital System." Like all of Freemasonry, the Shrine enjoyed years of large growth following World War II as soldiers looked to continue the camaraderie they experienced in the military. Today there are around 200 Temples all over the world with thousands of clubs, hundreds of thousands of members, and 22 Children's Hospitals across North America, South America, Europe and Southeast Asia.

The basic unit of the Shrine is the Temple. Every Temple has a clearly defined geographical territory which are often very large (my Temple covers the bottom half of the State of Idaho). Smaller units and clubs may be formed to assist the Temple in keeping fellowship with Nobles that may live great distances from the Temple. Clubs and units can take the form of bands, motorcycle units, clown units, drama clubs, parade units, standard guards, cooking clubs, tech clubs, and so on. Members of the Shriners are referred to as "Nobles." Temples are ran by an elected group of offices known as the Divan which is composed of the following officers:

Potentate

Chief Rabban

Assistant Rabban

High Priest and Prophet

Oriental Guide

Treasurer

Recorder 

Chaplain

Director

Assistant Director

1st Ceremonial Master

2nd Ceremonial Master

Marshal

Captain of the Guard 

Outer Guard(s)

The Imperial Divan (formerly known as the Imperial Council) is the international governing body of Shriners International. The Imperial Divan is composed of similarly named officers, but with the addition of the honorary title "Imperial" attached to the position. The Imperial Potentate serves as the presiding officer and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Children's Hospitals.

The most noticeable icon of the Shrine is the distinctive red fez that all Shriners wear. The red fez is decorated with the black tassel, the name of the Temple, and the crescent & scimitar, sphinx head, and star. Its name derives from the place where it was first manufactured, Fez, Morocco. The fez was selected as a part of the Arabic theme of the Shrine. The scimitar is emblematic of the members, the backbone of the fraternity. The crescent is emblematic of the fraternity and philanthropy of the Shrine. The sphinx stands for the Imperial Divan, the governing body of the Shriners. The star is emblematic of the children helped by the Children's Hospitals. Sometimes attached to the emblem of the Shrine is the motto "Robur et Furor" meaning "Strength and Fury."

As stated above, it was by the effort of Noble Kendrick that the Shriner's Hospital were established. He was inspired after a visited a Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children in Atlanta, GA. He campaigned heavily for the establishment of an official Shriner philanthropy during his tenure as Imperial Potentate. Once the resolution to establish the Shriner's Hospital for Children® had passed, a committee was selected to determine the site of the hospital, but it was soon concluded that one hospital would not work and that a network of hospitals was needed throughout North America. By June of 1922, the cornerstone was laid for the first Shriner's Hospital for Children® in Shreveport, LA. As more hospitals were built across North America, the philanthropy expanded the mission to include medical research and education of medical personnel. Today the Shriner's Hospitals conduct research in every area of care, including orthopedic disorders, burns, spinal cord injury treatment, and cleft lip and palate; the Shriner's Hospitals are particularly known for treatment of burns and orthopedic care. The Shriner's Hospitals have become well known for their burn research and many of the standard practices used in burn centers across the US originated in the Shriner's Hospitals. The Shriner's Hospitals are institutions in such high regard that nearly every pediatric orthopedic specialist in the US does a rotation at a Shriner's Hospital. Through this charity around one million children have been treated at one of the 22-hospitals in the United States, Canada, or Mexico.

References

1. History of the A.A.O.N.M.S. (n.d.). Retrieved from Phoenix Masonry: http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/History_of_the_Shrine.htm

2. History of the Imperial Council Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America. (1921). Retrieved from Phoenix Masonry: http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/history_of_the_aaonms.htm

3. How The Organization Works. (n.d.). Retrieved from Cairo Shriners: https://www.cairoshriners.org/uc/

4. Join Us. (n.d.). Retrieved from Medinah Shriners: http://medinah.org/joinus.htm

5. Shriners. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shriners

6. Shriners Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from Ararat Shrine: http://www.araratshrine.com/membership/faqs/dictionary/

7. Shriners International – Shrine – A. A. O. N. M. S. (2010). Retrieved from Freemason Information: http://freemasoninformation.com/what-is-freemasonry/family-of-freemasonry/shrine-a-a-o-n-m-s/

8. What is a Shrine Mason? (n.d.). Retrieved from Aleppo Shriners: http://alepposhriners.com/aboutus.html

9. Who are the Shriners? (n.d.). Retrieved from Shriners International: http://www.shrinersinternational.org/Shriners

American Academy of Ophthalmology to Develop Knights Templar Eye Foundation Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is partnering up with the Knights Templar Eye Foundation (KTEF) to create an online resource dedicated to children's eye care. Made possible by grants from the KTEF, this center will provide ophthalmologists around the world with the latest information for treating children's eye diseases and disorders. 

According to Freemason Information:

An estimated 19 million children worldwide under the age of 15 are visually impaired, 1.4 million of whom are blind. Many cases of childhood blindness could be avoided with interventions using existing knowledge.

This center will provide information on-demand which could make a difference in the vision of a patient. Resources will include diagnostic and treatment guides, video guides on demonstrations and approaches, peer advice on cases and challenges, latest developments and standards, and guidance for pediatric practice management. This center is expected to launch in 2015. The executive editor will be Faruk Örge, M.D., Director of the Center for Pediatric Ophthalmology at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, and Vice-Chair of Clinical Affairs at the University Hospitals Eye Institute, Case Medical Center. The Deputy Executive Editor will be K. David Epley, M.D., a past President of the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation was incorporated in 1956, is sponsored by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America, and ran by a Board of Trustees. The original mission of the KTEF was "to provide assistance to those who face loss of sight due to the need for surgical treatment without regard to race, color, creed, age, sex or national origin provided they are unable to pay or receive adequate assistance from current government agencies or similar sources and to provide funds for research in curing diseases of the eye." The mission has changed and on December 31, 2010, the Board of Trustees adopted a new mission statement "to improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care." Grants from the KTEF have helped develop new, nonsurgical, treatments for strabismus (crossed eyes) and ophthalmologists have told us that our efforts in funding pediatric ophthalmology research have been the primary reason that there are fewer and fewer surgeries for strabismus. The KTEF annually announces its call for research grant applications. The KTEF invites eligible investigators to submit applications for pediatric ophthalmology research grants for the award period which normally runs from July 1 to June 30. From the applications received, the Scientific Advisory Committee recommends to the Trustees which requests should be funded. Since its inception, the KTEF has expended over $140 million on research, patient care, and education. Research grants totaling in excess of $23 million have been awarded to researchers working in the fields of pediatric ophthalmology and ophthalmic genetics.

Read more here: http://freemasoninformation.com/2014/07/american-academy-of-ophthalmology-to-develop-knights-templar-eye-foundation-pediatric-ophthalmology-education-center/

Templar Charities

At the beginning of this month, the 2nd to be precise, my Commandery held its annual Groundhog's Day Breakfast which is used to help raise money for two of the Templar charities, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation and Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage. The former is probably the more well-known of the two, but the latter has a unique service to those who serve in the worthy profession of a minister.

Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage

The mission of this charity is "to send ordained Christian ministers on a Biblical study and historical and cultural immersion experience who would not have the opportunity otherwise." It is hoped that this will strengthen their ministry as they are provided with a chance to walk around the Holy Land where Christ walked and take part in intensive study programs

The committee that governs this organizes and supervises the planning and execution of the overall program and the groups of ministers' travel.

Sir Knights from the local Commanderies submit nominations for a local minister to the Committee on Holy Land Pilgrimage of the Grand Commandery of their State. The State Committee reviews the nomination and selects the number of ministers they willing to send over based on funds available. Local Commanderies can choose to pay 100% of the costs and fully sponsor a minister. These selected nominations and 100% sponsored are then sent up to the Grand Encampment's Holy Land Pilgrimage Committee and this committee is responsible for the full funding of the ministers' travel.

The travel usually occurs between February and March, and the last 11-days; two of the days are travel days.

Costs vary from year to year, but the price is announced each Spring by the Committee. The costs cover the round trip flight from NYC to Tel Aviv, fuel surcharges, airport taxes, 9-nights' accommodations, 8-breakfasts, 7-lunches, 8-dinners, program expenses, and some other basic fees. They do not cover personal incidents, souvenirs, and travel from the home state to NYC. Usually, the local Commandery will cover these costs, but the Grand Commandery can also choose to cover if they have the funds. It is important to note that the NYC-Tel Aviv travel costs are covered by the Grand Commandery and not the Grand Encampment.

For more information please check out the Holy Land Pilgrimage website.

Knights Templar Eye Foundation (KTEF)

The most notable charity of the Knights Templar is the Eye Foundation which seeks "to improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care.”

According to the Foundation:

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation is committed to support research that can help launch the careers of clinical or basic researchers committed to the prevention and cure of potentially blinding diseases in infants and children. We support clinical or basic research on conditions that can or may eventually be treated or prevented. Examples include but are not limited to amblyopia, congenital cataract, congenital glaucoma, retinopathy of prematurity, ocular malformations, congenital nystagmus, and other hereditary eye diseases such as retinal dystrophies or retinoblastoma.

The KTEF is committed to preserving sight and preventing blindness since its creation in 1955. Historically funding went to direct patient care as well as research and education, but with the recent passage of the Affordable Healthcare Act, the mission and direction of the KTEF changed to solely funding research and education efforts.

The KTEF was founded by Sir Knight Walter Allen DeLamater from New York. A veteran of the First World War he was known to be involved in many diverse fields of interest, but would eventually choose Templary to be his life's great work. In the military, he would become the only person in his Regiment's history to rise from Private to Major General and served his country with commendable courage on many different fronts of war and conflict. After his time overseas he returned to civil service in New York where he served in several important assignments.

DeLamater was initiated into Halterman Lodge No.412 in Middletown, NY, on July 26th, 1917. He was considered a very talented Mason and was knighted in Yonkers Commandery No.47 on March 17th, 1921 where he rose quickly through the ranks. He served as Grand Commander in 1934 and was elected to the Grand Encampment in 1937. At the 1946 Grand Conclave, the Sir Knights heard the story of DeLamater's vision he had received while awaiting an operation to fix a blood clot that was causing him paralysis and other problems for a number of years. In the vision, he said that angels spoke to him and said that he must heal the blind as Jesus did and then made a miraculous recovery from what was seen as a near-death experience.

He sought out to fulfill his divine mission and prior to the 1952 Triennium (where he was Deputy Grand Master), he began his campaign. He launched a brilliant campaign promoting Knights Templar Eye Hospitals in connection with existing hospitals throughout the US. During the meeting, there were many heated debates and arguments that were noted to have lasted into the hallways after the meetings had finished. After was all said and done, they rejected the phrase "Eye Hospitals" and adopted "Eye Foundation". After clarifications, resolutions, and amendments this proposal finally was passed with a 3/4 vote.

According to the Edmund Ball in A History of the Founding of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation:

From the very beginning, a Medical Advisory Council consisting of able and dedicated ophthalmologists from all over the country guided the Foundation. For a good many years funds for research were granted somewhat promiscuously on recommendations from knowledgeable Sir Knights but without particular focus. This would be corrected a number of years later when the distinguished Dr. Alfred Edward Maumanee, Jr., Director of the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, established a Scientific Advisory Committee in 1985, consisting of five distinguished ophthalmologists from over the United States. This committee screens all the proposals for grants for research and pediatric ophthalmology.

To accomplish their goals, the KTEF annually announces its call for research grant applications. Applicants may see Career-Starter Research Grant, Competitive Renewal Grant, or a Training Mentors for Developing Countries (TMDC) Fellowship. The received applications are screened by the Scientific Advisory Committee who then recommend to the Board of Trustees which requests should be granted and awarded. From its beginning to August 2012, the Foundation has reported that it has spent $137,000,000 on research, patient care, and education.

Royal Arch Research Assistance gives 100k grant to autism advocacy group

Saw this on the web tonight and thought I'd share:

Royal Arch Masons Present Autism Speaks with $100,000 Royal Arch Research Assistance Grant 

(Media-Newswire.com) - NEW YORK, N.Y. ( November 16, 2011 ) -- On Thursday, November 10, the General Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International presented Autism Speaks, the world’s largest autism research and advocacy organization, with a $100,000 Royal Arch Research Assistance ( RARA ) grant in support of the Autism Speaks early diagnosis and early intervention initiative to investigate auditory processing disorders in children with autism.

Read More

The Royal Arch Research Assistance (RARA), as described in one of my introductory posts on York Rite Freemasonry, is the charity provided by the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons International.  Much of their work has surrounded assisting research on auditory disorders.

York Rite Freemasonry

Introduction 

The York Rite is a branch of the Freemasons. It composed of 3 bodies: a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, a Council of Cryptics Masons, and a Commandery of Knights Templar (Chivalric Orders). Royal Arch Masonry consists of the following degrees: Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch. Cryptic Masonry consists of Royal Master and Select Master; some jurisdictions also confer the Super Excellent Master degree, but not all. The Chivalric Orders consist of: The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross, The Order of Malta, and the Valiant and Magnanimous Order of the Temple (Knights Templar). 

A proficient Master Mason in good standing can join the York Rite. You must be of Christian faith to go through the Chivalric Orders, but don't have to be to go through the Royal Arch and Cryptic Masons. 

The York Rite answers many questions from the Blue Lodge (Craft Masonry). The Royal Arch degrees take place before and after the 3rd degree. The Cryptic degrees take place before the Royal Arch degree and after the 3rd degree. The Order of the Red Cross is the first order conferred and dramatizes the freeing of the Jewish captives from Babylon. The Order of Malta is where the first requirement of the member to be Christian is observed, this order traces the history of the Knights Hospitaller.

 And finally, the crowning glory of the York Rite is the Order of the Temple. Said to be "a very impressive and solemn experience in Masonry". It truly is a beautiful ceremony and from my experience, I agree wholeheartedly with the saying that "every Christian Mason should be a Knight Templar". 

After you have been initiated through all the degrees and orders of the York Rite, there are also many invitational and honorary appendant bodies. They are strictly invitation-only, have specific prerequisites that must be met before you can even be considered, and some have membership limits. These appendant bodies are Order of the High Priesthood, Order of the Silver Trowel, Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor, Allied Masonic Degrees, Council of Knight Masons, Sovereign York Rite College of North America, Knights of the York Cross of Honor, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (Rosicrucian Society), the Royal Order of Scotland, Red Cross of Constantine, Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests, and the Grand College of Rite, USA. 

Structure 

True to all 3-bodies of the York Rite, there is a local body, Grand body, and International body. For the Royal Arch, there is the Chapter, Grand Chapter, and General Grand Chapter. The leaders of each of these levels respectively are High Priest, Grand High Priest, and General Grand High Priest. For the Cryptic Masons, there is the Council, Grand Council, and General Grand Council. The leaders for each of these levels respectively are Illustrious Master, Illustrious Grand Master, and the Most Puissant General Grand Master. For the Knights Templar, there is the Commandery, Grand Commandery, and the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar, USA. The leaders for each of these levels respectively are Eminent Commander, Right Eminent Grand Commander, and the Most Eminent Grand Master. 

Charities 

There are 3 main charities that are supported by the York Rite: Royal Arch Research Assistance (RARA), Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation (CMMRF), and Knights Templar Eye Foundation (KTEF). 

The RARA helps support the research into Central Auditory Processing Disorders. The primary recipient is the Able Kids Foundation which leads the way into CAPD research. Research is showing that children with CAPD often develop ADD.

The CMMRF helps advance the research into Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology. The primary recipient of the donations is the Indiana Center Vascular Biology and Medicine (ICVBM) located at the University of Indiana. One of the most notable patents that have come from this research is the "Closer". The vascular Closer is a device that is used over 500,000 times a year. 

The KTEF aids those who need help in the preservation of sight. It both assists those who need help paying for their eye surgeries as well as donating to optical research. Since its inception, it has spent more than $89,000,000 benefiting more than 75,000 people. It has also donated over $8,000,000 for research purposes.

Whew! Quite the read. I'll leave it at that.