Fall 1992 Volume IX. Number 3
GRAND MASTER VISITS WHITE HOUSE FOR CORNERSTONE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION The Grand Lodges of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia joined forces on October 13 to commemorate a Masonic event that took place 200 years ago to the day. The reenactment of the cornerstone-laying ceremony of the White House attracted a sizable crowd as the Grand Lodge Officers from the District of Columbia recreated the original 1792 ceremony with 18th-century pomp and circumstance. The program, which was planned in conjunction with the National Park Service, was held on the Ellipse, south of the White House. National Park Service ranger Joseph Geary served as Master of Ceremonies. Three actors from the American Historical Theater portrayed George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and architect James Hoban in a scene describing the
selection of an architect for the President's home. As the Masonic procession approached the open replica of a lodge room, Virginia Past ~ r a &Master Donald Robey described the procedures used during the ceremony. District of Columbia Grand Master Jerold J. Samet (left) led the officers to a new stone, where they tested it with the square, level, and plumb, and rededicated it with corn, wine, and oil. Several historic items were placed on the altar. The St. John's Lodge bible on which George Washington took his oath as President had been hand carried from New York City by three members of that lodge. The trowel used at
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the cornerstone-laying ceremony of the U.S. Capitol in 1793 is now the property of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, Alexandria, Virginia. The gavel used at the same event is under the watchful eye of Potomac Lodge No. 5, Washington, D.C. Also participating in the morning events were members of the South Knox Spartan Band of Vincennes, Indiana, and the choir from the Franklin P. Nash United Methodist Church of Washington, D.C. The day's program began at 7:30 a.m. when Masons and guests gathered for a prayer service at St. John's Church, also known as the "Church of the Presidents," on LaFayette Square on the north side of the White House. "Masons gathered on this morning 200 years ago to offer prayer before the cornerstone was laid," said Brother Samet. "It is fitting that we meet for prayer before the reenactment." Biblical passages selected for the service referred to the importance of the founda- continued on page 2
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RAISED 14 ; ,.?, GRAND M ~ E R .CLAS~: * ~ *
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VOICE OF FREEMASONRY A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE This publication is designed to be an organ of information, instruction, and inspiration for all who hold allegiance to this Grand Jurisdiction. Please be aware that any mistakes in this publication are there for a purpose; we publish something for everyone and some people are always looking for errors. Comments and contributions should be directed to the attention of the editor, care of the Grand Secretary.
Voice of Freemasonry Grand Lodge Office 5428 MacAfthur Blvd., N.V Washington, D.C. 20016 (202) 686-1811 Editor Hugh Y. Bernard, Jr.
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R p w time cymutc: wm &&y do,swl after t r e " i L Pwi& rn&mbiZa -tomark the l i a d of &e d
tion stone. In an inspirational message, Bishop Carl J. Sanders, 33 q Grand Chaplain for the Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, aho emphasized that theme, po-inthg out that the foundation of our nation is faith in God. He warned that when the foundation is weakened, the entire structure is in danger. At a luncheon following the reenactment, historian Nelson E Rimensnyder & cussed the role of the White House architect, James Hoban; and Paul D. Dolinsky, a member of Federal Lodge and chief of the Historic American Building Survey, raiewed the history of the White House. The Historic Americqn Building Survey, the last ejrtant WPA project, has documented the archimure of some 27,000 bddings in the United States. Later that afternoon, in a special ceremony at the White House, President and Mrs. George Bush welcomed (pictured on cover, left to right) R.W. Wiam M. Clark, Jr., Deputy Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Maryland;. M.W. John Robert Dean, Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Virginia; M.W. Jemld J. Samet, Grand Master, Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia;
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architect Hoban, who was also a Fast Master of Federal Lodge No. 1. Grand Mastef Samet led the guests in a series of 16 toasts, reminisaint of the banquet held at Fountain Inn in Georgetown200 years ago. Guest s p e a k was Bro. Clarence J. Brown, 33 4, President of the U.S. Capitol Historid Society. Brother Bmwn, a Fsrmer US. C o w a n , pointed out &it there were three haportant cornerstones to recognize TI+ first mregented the fed& lines for th&'D&rict of Columbia in 1791. The second wm the White House, and the third was the IF33 ceremony of the U.S. Capitol. Plans sue now be& made by the w d Ladge of the District of Cuhunbi?W & brate the bicentenriial of the Chpitol cornerstone n m September.
There are more pictures of thewWhite House Cornerstone Bicentennial Celebration on pages 4 and 5 of thk h e .
Editorial Board Stewart W. Miller C . Brian Schwartz Dan L. Frederick.
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her, National Statnary Ha% 4Botmk ivstmtimofthe roams for the Smite Appm p d a t i s Cmmmittee., raov54Eion cif WOW Of•’&Sw1ding. ARex Kg ~cm&acti8nof the 3amw Ma&an B*@&$ fur &@ Lbbary @f Cagrw; d d o ~ a to•˜ ~the t Mwer Plan for &eCap&l gmrmds; crmtm&& d & e Phil& H a t 3maf.e Office BtiWbg ratmation of the
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The Family of Freemasonry has again been entered in the Tournament of Rases Parade, according to Stanley Cazneaux, Grand Master of Masons in the State of California. Sponsored by the nearly three million North American members of the Masonic order, the brightly decorated float will portsay the theme, "Masons in Music,*' as it rolls down Cdorado Boulevard on New Year's Day in Pasadena. "Our entry is formally suallpportedby California's 140,080Masons, as it was last year, but this time we have the added support of Masons throughout the world," said.Caneam. "We have such famous Masons as Mozart and John Philip Sousa to draw from, so we are certain to provide a float that appropriately and colorfully depicts the theme," said Committee Chairman Stanley Channon, P.G.M.
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Masonic Employment Clearing House ;g$,-@ .' i ' ,I
F# ym me lo&itig far a job, write yo& k "advdsernent" in approximately 60 m d s or l s s and mad. tcx ,
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Smart W. Miner, Grand Secretary
Grand Lodge of D.C. 5428 M8cArtXE.u~Bvd., N.W. Rshington, D.C. 20M6
PERSONNEL / RECRUITMENT MANAGEMENT SPECLALIST
ARCIEIWT Seeks position to u t W 10yeas of U.S. architectmil experience. Graduate of University of Liverpool (Bache10~of Architeam) and University of Rangoon @S. k Civil Engineerhg). M o w of Institute of Ard&m@, Pakistan; Member Aoyal Institute of Britis'ilA%aB&s.R~~inBunnaand pending in
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Fluent in Fmch and Arabic; worlcing knowledgeof &a&h. M u a t e of College De La Salle, Cairo, &ypt @A.in AccountbyRnmcej. (Respond to
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Seeks position to utilize 10 years experience in staff mmiting and placement, fomhg on bankin& f h cia1 services, and data p m s i n g fields. Has extensive experience in client development, marketing, and personnel retention. Holds B.A. degree in political science from American University (1975). (laespond to J-9204)
AUTOMmVE MANAGEMENT Seeks position utilizing over 30 yeam of experience in the Automotive Service Management area. Has exiensive experience in Customer Relations, Person-
ZSO,fm, IDMS, DB2, and &nq(vvd system.
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If you dsh to contact:one &We adrp1cants, write to Grand Secretary Miser at the above address or call him at (B2J 686-1811. He will advise you how to get in touch with the specific persons you desire.
All i&omtion is kept confidential.
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MANAGEMENT CONSUIXANl?
Seeks position to u W m t l y c o n f e d MBA. Interested in management consulting and iniformation systems devotopment and analysis. Z;o;ur experience in non-profit reSe;uChradvancement. experience and prqg'amExtensive micm~~mputer ming course work (FORTRAN, WSIC, PASCAL). Graduate of wlfiam and Mary (B84 in Management) and American Univ&ty (MBA in information Systems). (Ilespond to 3-?Z@@
WAC EXPERT
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Seeks management position in KVAC sales and m e t dwefopment for WAC equipment mufactmr. 32 years experiencewith 21 years ofoutstandbg sales achievements with responsibility for WAC sales to wholesale W b u t o n in a wen state region. @espond to J a m )
Great '~asonicStocking St White Mouse Carrserstane 'Bicentennial Keychains
ORGANIZED One of the goals of the pbgmm "Grand Lodge '2000" was to i n a w e membership and enhance our fraternity 3a the Dirict of Columbia. The creation of the International Committee in January 1992 made it possible to contact Masons in for&@groups visiting or living hem in Washingtoxi, The commjtPee &o contacted a number of European Grand Lodges to promote the creatim of new foreign-language hdges in this jurisdiction. Due to the large French community here in Wasbbgton, the creation of a Frenchspeaking Lodge became a priority" Conpacts were made with the Gmde Loge Nationale Francaise and a numbex of Fmch-speakg Masons in Vibhgton were id@ed. Aftex seveml trips Co France and thereciprocal visit of their representative to TVashirngton, it was decided to oqnize a Lodge under the naiiae of "La France." The orgaabtionai meeting of "La France" Lodge U.D. took place ia the h i s Room oZ the Shrine Temple, wM& ha4%em already conserratedas a Lodge Room by the Grand Master. The room was elegantly arranged and more than twenty French charter members and Crrurd Lodge Officers travelled to Washington for the ceremony. The officers were i n d e d by 8.W- George the Jlelbuty Gzand lv&wter aad R. Ad-, R.W. Yves l%estoameI,Clsvld Secretwy and Honomy Deputy Grand hktster of h d e Loge Nationale Frau& The wemmywas followed by a %We bdge 3n &e Sphinx Chb. "La Ram%" lodge U.D. nm has more than Mtty-ktve megl.krs. It will open,close, and conduct business on the TWd Degme in French, in accord with the Titual of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. Degrees will be conferred in m & m i t y to the EhmWon Ritual (in French). From Dxember 4 thou& the 6th, M.W. Jerold J. S W x Grand Master, and R.W. Geoae R,Adam, Deputy Chmd Master will attend the Chad Lodge Comm~cationsof the Gmde Loge N a t i d e FTanc;a3se and "La France" will have a &d meking in Paris for the benefit of our Pmch Bmken.
- Robert B. Heyat
Aviation Pioneer and District of Cotumbia Freemason . Paul Edward Garber *
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On September 23, 1992, Brother Paul Edward Garber, a D.C. Freemason who played a role in the development of paw&& axkition, passed away at age 5%. J3rwer Garber was a member of lFederal Ladge No. 1 of D.C., in which he had been raised February 24, 1958. Although not active in Freemasonry, Brother Garber appreciated his membership and his Lodge, and several brothers kept in touch with him.One of the highlights of his last months was a visit to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia with several of his Masonic brethren, an oocasion he greatly enjoyed. Born at Mantic City, New Jersey in August 1899, Paul Garber moved with his family as a child to Washington, D.C., where he showed an early interest in kites, being encouraged in this by a neighbor, Alexander Graham Bell. By the time he was ten, he had seen Orville Wright fly early powered aircraft at Fort Myer, Virginia, as part of a series of tests conducted under contract for the US. Army which saw possibilities for the future in military aviation. These flights, in one of which a crash occurred that &ted in injury to Orville Wright and the death of our first military aviation pioneer, Lt. Thomas Selfridge, were covered by a young reporter and photagmpher, Carl Harry Claudy, who was working for a New York newspaper and whose dispatches of this tragic and histoiic event, with pidures, are now in the National Air and Space Museum. In 1943, Brother Claudy was to become the Grand Master of Masons in the Dishict of Columbia and was to head the Masonic Service Association for m b y years. Paul Garber continued his interest in aviation, and before he was sixteen, on July 4, 1915, he had flown a powered airplane solo, thus qualifying himself for membership in the Early Birds of Aviation,
a group wmposed of those who bad soloed before December 1916. In world War I Brother Garber served as an Army sergeant and was further trained in flying. He was also briefly a ground crewman after the war in the Postal Mail Service, involved with the first air mail flights. By 1920 he was a preparer of exhibits for the Smithsonian Institution, starting a 72-year connection with that body. During this time he saw the historic value of gathering artifacts and memorabilia of early and developing aviation, and his zeal as a collector of what many others con-
By the time he was ten, he had seen Orville Wright fly early powered aircraft at Fort Myer, Virginia sidered ephemera and trivia, led to the great collections of what is now the National Air and Space Museum. He was its first curator, serving from its founding as a unit of the Smithsonianin 1946, until his retirement at age 70 in 1969, but continuing as historian emeritus and Ramsey Fellow, the latter being concerned particularly with naval aviation history. During his active Smithsonian years Brother Garber amassed such collectibles as Charles Lindbergh's "Spirit of St. Louis," in which that young Freemason had flown from New York to Paris in 1927. During World War 11, Paul Garber was a Navy commander direct'i the production of scale models for enemy aircraft for training use in identification for air combat purposes. He also developed controllable kites. In 1980 the Air and Space Museum's Restomtion and Storage Facility
at Silver Hill, Maryland, was named in his honor. When man's thirst for conquest beyond earth's atmosphm led him to outer space, Paul Garber continued his pioneering and acquisitive programs, gathering spacecraft and launching and support equipment for permanent preservation, as he had of airplanes. He was acquainted with many pioneer aviators - James Doolittle (a Mason), Billy Mitchell, and Glenn Curtiss. A poet as well as technical writer, he wrote these thoughts when tragedy in January 1986 overtook the Challenger space shuttle cray and all died: "We cannot let this cruel tmgedy end all our @for&; striving we mrcsr be. Onward and upwad constantly to try, learning more about earth, sea, and sky. Dear Heaven& Father; take into Thy an? t h e dear f r i d whose l i w ended out t h e . . New knowledge evermote, we'll try fo find. U@ thank aN hmes, trying, for mankind"
And now, after 93 years, F'ad Garber, in Pilot Officer John G. Magee's immortal words from "High Flight" - "has slipped the surly bonds of earth, and danced the skies on laughter-Silvered wings. Sunward he's climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of. And while with silent lifting mind he's trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space put out his hand and touched the face of God." (The writer acknowledges hi3 appreciation to Brother John W Davidson, a West Virginia Mmon and a docent-guide at the National Air and Space Museum, for valuable material on Brother Garber's career:)
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Mummers to be Entertainment at Annual Grand Lodge Banquet
With pageantry and color rivaling only their own New Year's parade in Philadelphia, the famed Mumm- will provide the entertainment highlight of the Annual Grand Lodge Banquet on 'hesday evening, December 15, 1992. The Mummers will appear in their unique and flamboyant costumes, with strumming banjos and other instruments rendering such traditional favorites as "Oh Dem Golden Slippers." This appearance by the Mummers will be a first at a D.C. Grand Lodge event, and so far as the available record shows, perhaps the f i t Mummers appearance in
Voice of Ektx?masonry *Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M., of D.C. 5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016 e
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Rshington at any event, at least for many years. Their availability for our. Grand Lodge Banquet is the result of collaboration of Grand Master Samet and contacts with a Mummers business officer who is a Brother and a Pennsylvania Grand Lodge Officer. As usual in recent years, the banquet will take place at the Capital Hilton Hotel, 16th & K Streets, N.W., with a social hour commencing at 6:30 P.M. The Presidential Ballroom will be the scene of the banquet, set for 730 P.M., preceded by the entrance of the Grand Master and Grand Lodge Officen. Tickets are available
Non-Profit Org. U.S.Postage PAID Permit No. 559 Washington, D.C.
through the Constituent Lodges or through the Grand Lodge office at $35.00 each. A sell-out is anticipated, and early reservations are recommended. The present Mummers organization in Philadelphia, with its New Year's parade, dates from 1876, and somewhat later the city began to sponsor the event, not only as a draw for business and visitors (many of whom come to Philadelphia solely for this event), but in an effort to control a rowdy element that inevitably develops at times of holiday revelry. As with New Orleans' famous Mardi Gras, a number of prestigious clubs in the city unite to form the Mummers. Characteristic are the elaborate costumes, which members make themselves, the unique "strut" of the marchers, and the infectious music. Mummery draws its origins from various roots ancient Greek, medieval minstrelsy, comic drama of the medieval period, and cultural elements from Sweden, Finland, England, Wales, and Germany. For example, in German the word "Mummerkleid" means disguise. In England, "Mummer" referred to groups of youths who performed mime plays during Christmas week relating to St. George and the Dragon, Father Christmas, and others. From this amaIgam, the modern Mummers evolved. It is a mistake to think of Philadelphia as a staid and straitlaced city. Besides the Mummers, it gave us the famed comic, Masonic Brother W. C. Fields (raised in the Egyptian Room of Philadelphia's famous Masonic Temple), who though he achieved fame in Hollywood, had his tombstone inscribed with the sentiment that after thinking it over, he would rather be in Philadelphia. Come out, with friends and family, for an unforgettrlble evening on December 15.