The media did pick up the story and here is an article from the Idaho Statesman:
Sometime between midnight Saturday and early Sunday morning, vandals
spray painted the entrance of the historic Masonic Temple at 215 N.
10th St. in Downtown Boise.
The graffiti read "V 4 Victory." Those were the same words spray
painted at the Masonic Temple in Meridian this summer, said Corey
Turner, vice president of the Boise Masonic Temple Association.
"We don't know who it is, or who to suspect," said Turner. There was
no other damage to the building. Vandals broke a window at the temple
in Meridian, but didn't damage that building otherwise.
---
Ultimate Carpet Cleaning cleaned up the spray paint for free, said Turner.
I am for one, very appreciative of Ultimate Carpet Cleaning for their generosity.
Tonight, or rather this morning, when I jumped on Facebook I saw that a good friend and Brother who leads the Temple Board for the Boise Masonic Temple posted this picture:
I am shocked and appalled at this act of vandalism and I hope the perpetrators are caught. I never would have imagined this happening to a Lodge in Idaho, but I guess anti-Masons are everywhere.
To those who did this, you are a bunch of cowards.
I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!! This is a year for me to be truly thankful for a great many things. I owe so much to my supports in my life: God for keeping me, my family for their unending love and support for me in my many endeavors in life, my friends who make everyday fun and fulfilling, and to the Masons who have made the last 5-years memorable. Bless all of you and have a wonderful day.
As I said during the previous post, I talked about the Under 40's committee. At November's Stated meeting I held a survey of the membership covering what influenced them to join, what they liked about the organization/meetings, and what would they like to improve. A third of those that answered joined the York Rite were seeking further light in Freemasonry. Over half of those that joined enjoy the fellowship provided by the York Rite. In the "Improvements" section they had the chance to pick up multiple choices so I'm only going to give the #1 answer. 77% of those surveyed (22% of the answers given) want more...education programs. This answer was given not just by the younger crowd, but was spread across the spectrum of ages.
Increase and test your knowledge of the Scottish Rite while you learn about its structure and organization, its rich history, and its deeply philosophic Masonic teachings
For a nominal price of $35 they issue you a book with 6 quizzes to take, and after one has taken it a certificate of completion and lapel pin is issued. This could be done with the York Rite and be an amazing success.
The York Rite has an amazing history; an interesting relationship between the 3 bodies; and rich symbolism and lessons taught in the degrees and orders. I see some hurdles though to overcome:
A centralized, governing body that presides over the program
Establishing a book, or set of books, that covers the bases for all 3 bodies
The easiest thing may have a separate program for each body, but I would wish to unite the education program.
The curriculum I had in mind would follow in a fashion similar to this:
Part I - History
Quiz 1 - Origin of the Royal Arch degrees and its journey to America
Quiz 2 - Origin of the Chivalric orders and its journey to America
Quiz 3 - Origin and History of the Cryptic Rite
Part II - Royal Arch Degrees
Quiz 4 - Mark Master degree
Quiz 5 - Past Master (Virtual) and Most Excellent Master degrees
Quiz 6 - Royal Arch Mason degree
Part III - Cryptic Degrees
Quiz 7 - Royal Master degree
Quiz 8 - Select Master degree
Quiz 9 - Super Excellent Master degree
Part IV - Chivalric Orders
Quiz 10 - Order of the Red Cross
Quiz 11 - Order of Malta
Quiz 12 - Order of the Temple
Part V - Honorary and Invitational Bodies (HIB)
Quiz 13 - Chair degrees (to include the KYCH)
Quiz 14 - HIB requiring membership in the Royal Arch
Quiz 15 - HIB requiring membership in the Knights Templar
Quiz 16 - Other misc. honorary or invite-only organizations
None of this is set in stone and I will gladly take any assistance/advice, but in the meantime I plan on starting an Education Program at each York Rite meeting. The piece I will read will be tailored to the specific group meeting and it is my hope that some will learn more and inspire them to start researching themselves.
During the Northwest York Rite Conference last month we were briefed by the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons International (GGCRAM) about a new committee being formed, called "Under 40's." This new committee is aimed to keep the General Grand Chapter "abreast of the needs and aims of our newer younger members".
It will be led by a national chairman with regional chairman, all assigned by the General Grand High Priest. Then there will be a chairman for each State/jurisdiction to be chosen by the Grand High Priest.
That leads me to the current goals of the committee.
1.Determine the interest of the “40 and Under” demographic of R.A.M. 2.Assist in providing content for the R.A.M. E-magazine 3.Update the training ligature of the GGCRAM 4.Assist in the organization of a ‘Future Leaders’ Program
I am currently working on a survey for new members and absent members alike to see what they would like to see from the York Rite. I'm trying to maximize the experience of the members, revitalize and stimulate the Companions.
If anyone is interested in assisting with this committee, contact your State's Ambassador to the General Grand Chapter.
The Generalissimo is the second officer in a Commandery of Knights Templar. His duty is to assist the Eminent Commander in the dispatch of business and, in the Commanders absence, preside over the Commandery. The use of this title is fairly new and peculiar to American Masonic Templary.
Merriam-Webster defines Generalissimo as "the chief commander of an army" the first use of this word was in Italy around 1621. It originates from "generale", Italian for General, and the suffix -issimo, itself from Latin -issimus, meaning "utmost, to the highest grade".
On the symbolic interpretations of the jewel of the Generalissimo, Sir Knight George L. Marshall, Jr., wrote in the March 2011 edition of the Knights Templar magazine the following:
The jewel of the Generalissimo is shown at right. The metal is silver color for both the suspension bar and the jewel as it is for all remaining officers’ jewels as well. The jewel is a square, surmounted by a paschal Lamb. The square is to remind you that friendship and love should ever govern Freemasons and particularly Knights Templar. The square, as we know, is the jewel of office of the Worshipful Master of a Blue Lodge. Additionally, we are taught that the square is a symbol of morality. Since the square was used by operative masons to prove that angles were 90° or “right,” it naturally became an emblem of accuracy, integrity, and rightness. As stones are cut to fit into a building, so our acts and thoughts are built together into a structure of character badly or firmly and must be tested by a moral standard of which the simple square is a symbol.
The paschal lamb atop the square has long been a symbol of Christ, apparently coming into use about the 15th Century. This symbol is sometimes referred to by the Latin name Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) or in heraldry, Holy Lamb. Heraldry defines it thus: a representation of a lamb passant [walking] having around its head a nimbus [halo] and supporting on the dexter [right] shoulder a crosslike staff bearing a flag argent [silver or white] charged with a cross gules [red].
(Words in square brackets are supplied by me.) The term “paschal” originally related to the Passover, or Seder, of the Jews, and the paschal lamb was a lamb slaughtered and eaten on the eve of the first day of Passover. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was crucified during the time of Passover and so became our symbolic paschal lamb. The cross borne by the lamb represents the manner of his death and the flag His banner under which we as Templars have become His Knights. The walking or marching lamb illustrates that activity we should pursue in marching steadily onward to help spread His kingdom on earth.
Thus, this jewel also reminds us to conduct ourselves with those high standards of morality and character which were taught by the Lamb of God while He walked among men and with that unconditional love that He exemplified in His sacrifice on Calvary.
Well this tonight was the Stated Communication for the York Rite bodies in Boise, Royal Arch Masons presided.
The meeting opened with 25+ in attendance. When we finally came to the Elections, and so came the nominations. In each body I was elected as follows:
Chapter: King
Council: Illustrious Master
Commandery: Generalissimo
The meeting was nice and short with an excellent dinner beforehand.
Upcoming Events:
November 19th is Day 2 of the York Rite Fall Festival
December 3rd is a meeting for Tri-Valley College No.178, York Rite Sovereign College of North America.
December 8th is the December Stated Communication of the Boise York Rite, Council will preside. After the meeting, the Chapter and Council will do their officer installations.
December 15th is the officer installation of Idaho Commandery No.1 with drinks and snacks afterward.
Tomorrow night is Election Night for my Lodge so that will be interesting.
Today marks the sad day, one year ago, when Asher, my Godson, was taken from this world. It was a tragic accident and no parent should ever have to go through the living Hell that my longest and best friend had to go through. No parent should ever have to bury their child.
I was in training for my Iraq deployment when it happened and I found out through Facebook. I knew I had to, but I dreaded the call. What would I say? I finally made the call and it was one of the hardest things I could do, to hear my friend, my brother, retell the story of his child's death. No matter how I found the tears cascaded down my face.
My little sister, God bless her, went in my place to the funeral. It touched her too as she knew the family and she has a son just a few months younger than Asher. It made her appreciate every minute she has had with her son.
"There's a man Ian never got to know - the man
he was growing up to be. He's a good-looking, clear-eyed young
fella, about 25. I can see him. He's the type of guy that men
want to be around, because he has integrity, you know? He
has character. You can't fake that. He's a guy women want
to be around, too, because there's tenderness in him, respect,
loyalty, and courage. And women respond to that. Makes him
a terrific husband, this guy. I see him as a father. That's
where he really shines. See, when he looks in his kid's eyes
and that kid knows that his dad really sees him,
he sees who he is. Then that child knows that he is an amazing
person. He's quite a guy that I'll never get to meet. I
wish I had."
I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween! I am on my way back from the East Coast and once I'm home it's time to relax for a few days before the York Rite Festival.
Well, I slept in and it was nice. Since it was Sunday and most of the sights around the National Mall would be closed, I decided to just make the drive down to Alexandria, Virginia, to see the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.
After a 2-hour drive, I finally came up a great sight.
The building is spectacular and driving up I had to stop and jump out to take pictures.
Once you climb the stairs and get through the large doors, you come to a large hall.
George Washington at the Cornerstone ceremony of the National Capitol
St. John's Day Observance at the Old Christ Church in Philadelphia, PA
The tour guide talked to us about the history of the memorial and some of the more striking points are:
That the building was built without ever going into debt, but because of this took around 60-years to complete
The statue of George Washington in the main hall is 17-ft and 7-tons, and they had to put it into the building by carrying it up the steps through the main entrance (through those pillars).
We toured the 4th floor - Museum, 5th floor - Royal Arch, 8th floor - Knights Templar, and 9th floor - Observatory Deck / Tall Cedars of Lebanon.
George Washington joined the Masonic Lodge in Fredericksburg,
Virginia at the age of 20 in 1752. His Masonic membership, like the
others public titles and duties he performed, was expected from a young
man of his social status in colonial Virginia. During the War for
Independence, General Washington attended Masonic celebration and
religious observances in several states. He also supported Masonic
Lodges that formed within army regiments.
At his first inauguration in 1791, President
Washington took his oath of office on a Bible from St. John's Lodge in
New York. During his two terms, he visited Masons in North and South
Carolina and presided over the cornerstone ceremony for the U.S. Capitol
in 1793.
In retirement, Washington became charter Master of the
newly chartered Alexandria Lodge No. 22, sat for a portrait in his
Masonic regalia, and in death, was buried with Masonic honors.
Such was Washington's character, that from almost the day
he took his Masonic obligations until his death, he became the same man
in private that he was in public. In Masonic terms, he remained "a just
and upright Mason" and became a true Master Mason. Washington was, in
Masonic terms, a “living stone” who became the cornerstone of American
civilization. He remains the milestone others civilizations follow into
liberty and equality. He is Freemasonry's “perfect ashlar” upon which
countless Master Masons gauge their labors in their own Lodges and in
their own communities.
A Timeline of George Washington's Masonic Activities
1752
November 4, 1752 - Initiated as Entered Apprentice at Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, Fredericksburg, Virginia.
1753
March 3, 1753 - Passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft at Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4
August 4, 1753 - Raised a Master Masaon at Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4.
1778
December 28, 1778 - Marched in a Masonic procession in celebration of Saint John the Evangelist Day
1779
June 24, 1779 - Celebrated Saint John the Baptist Day with American Union Military Lodge at West Point, New York
December 27, 1779 - Celebrated Saint John the Evangelist Day with American Union Military Lodge at Morristown, New Jersey
1781
October - Reportedly visited Lodge No. 9 at Yorktown, VA with General Lafayette after defeat of British General Cornwallis
1782
Brothers Watson and Cassoul of Nantes, France present Washington
with exquisite silk Masonic apron, acknowledged by letter dated August
10
June 24, 1782 -
St. John the Baptist celebration - Marked with American Union Military Lodge at West Point, New York.
December 27, 1782 -
St. John the Evangelist Day - Celebrated with Solomon's Lodge No. 1, Poughkeepsie, New York.
1784
June 24, 1784 -
St. John the Baptist celebration - Marked with Alexandria Lodge, Alexandria, Virginia
June 24, 1784 -
Made an honorary member of Alexandria Lodge No. 39 (Now Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22) Alexandria, Virginia
August 1784 -
Presented a Masonic apron made by Madame de Lafayette to General and Bro. de Lafayette
1785
February 12, 1785 - Walked in Masonic funeral procession for Bro. William Ramsay at Alexandria, Virginia
1788
April 28, 1788 - Named Charter Worshipful Master of Alexandria Lodge No.
22 when a new charter from the Grand Lodge of Virginia was issued.
Unanimously re-elected Master December 20, 1788 for one year.
1789
Elected honorary member of Holland Lodge No. 8, New York, NY
April 30- Inaugurated President of the United States using Bible from St. John's Lodge No. 1, New York
1791
April 15, 1791 - Welcomed by members of St. John's Lodge No. 2, New Bern, NC
May 1791 - Received the greetings of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina by General Mordecai Gist, Grand Master, Charleston, SC
1793
September 18 Acting Grand Master - Laid the cornerstone for the United
States Capitol, Washington, D.C. 1794 Sat for William Williams,
portraitist, in Masonic regalia at the request of Alexandria Lodge 1797
March 28 Received a Masonic delegation from Alexandria Lodge
1798
April 1, 1798 - Attended Alexandria Lodge No. 22 Proposed a toast at the banquet that followed
1799
December 18, 1799 - Buried at Mount Vernon with Masonic rites as well as those of the church, conducted by Alexandria Lodge
