The Voice of Freemasonry | Vol. 14* No. 2

From the Grand M.W. Brother Dan L Frederick

Dear Brethren: Where has the time gone? We have worked hard over the last several months and witnessed changes which will advance our craft in to the new millennium. I was so proud to have twenty-four Worshipful Masters present at the Semi-Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.

Our representation of the lodges was very strong. We deliberated some very important issues and you spoke up for what you wanted. Freemasonry is stronger for what we did. I hope that this communication met your expectations of me as your Grand Master. I have encouraged positive responses from you and you came through. Each decision you embraced will secure our place in the future!

It saddens me to inform you that our dear Grand Lecturer, Brother Stafford Appel, has gone on to that glorious celestial Lodge above. Earlier this year, in May, our Grand Chancellor, Bernard Shultz, left us.

Also, in May we saw the passing of Most Worshipful Brother Robert Morris, our Grand Master in 1974 and a fellow Senior DeMolay of Robert LeBruce Chapter. Equally upsetting to the Craft was the death of Worshipful Brother Isadore Rosenthal, holder of the Grand Lodge Fidelity Medal.

I am pleased that the Grand Lodge took action to permit the acceptance of petitions from men at the age of 18 years. We have followed the precedent set by 24 other Grand Lodges that have embraced the lowering of the minimum age of petitioners. I also applaud the actions taken by the Grand Lodge to amend the charters of those Lodges that work in either the Scottish Modern or Emulation style rituals. In response to the will of the Grand Lodge I have appointed

a committee to address the issues associated with a proposal to allow lodges to conduct business on any one of the three degrees.

I am grateful too for the action you took relative to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge issue. We have conclusively established the regularity of that Grand Lodge and we are now working with the leadership of the Grand Lodge to effect the completion of the recognition process. I deeply appreciate your action at Grand Lodge to authorize me, as your Grand Master, to pursue this effort. You may be sure that I will keep you informed on the progress of our work on this issue, as it develops, and as soon as we have completed our labors, I will share with you all of the information essential to the promotion of intervisitation with our brethren in the Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

Grand Lodge Program, brings Masons together to enjoy the brotherhood that our Grand Lodge offers. This weekend brought to our fair city the Grand Masters of Russia and Romania, along with a representative from France. Also in attendance was a large number of brethren who traveled here from Turkey for the birth of Nur Lodge, U.D. On display at the Table We have three new lodges, under Lodge on June 5th was the beautiful dispensation, in this jurisdiction. framed rendition of the 99 attributes They are Nur Lodge, U.D., which of God, in Arabic, on extended loan works the Emulation style ritual in to our Grand Lodge from M.S.A. the Turkic ( Turkish are a people, Turkic is the language); Fraternity I look forward to continuing our work Lodge, U.D., which operates in a in the name of progress this year. I mode similar to Magnolia Lodge am still listening to you and seeking No. 53; and General George C. your advice and support for the fall.

Marshall Lodge U.D., named for a Success will be certainly ours if we man who was made a Mason-at- continue to think in a positive frame Sight in this Grand Lodge and who of mind! was the father and promoter of the plan that revived Europe following Yours for the betterment of our fraWorld War 11. I pray for the success ternity, I remain, of these Lodges and urge that you visit and assist them as they work Fraternally, toward chartered status.

We were truly honored to have a successful and enjoyable program Dan L ~rederick planned and implemented by the International Relations Committee in June. This program, like any other

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half Streets became a matter of serious concern. So much so that the Grand Lodge lost possession of the premises and being literally put out on the street, moved in January 1843, along with Lodges 1and 7, to quarters at Pennsylvania Avenue and Twelfth Streets, N.W. Meetings were held there until July 20, 1843, when the wanderings of Grand Lodge took it to several Lodge rooms including those of Naval Lodge No. 4, Federal Lodge No. 1 and The New Jerusalem Lodge No. 9 on C Street near John Marshall Place. In November 1845 Grand Lodge found itself in the upper floor of the Old Medical College at Tenth and R Streets, N.W., with Lodges 1,7,9 and 12.

Past Grand Master Kenyon 50th Anniversary in Masonry

The Old Medical College, with its rickety and unlighted stairway, made for unsatisfactory quarters and was abandoned in 18% by the Fraternity when the Grand Lodge, along with several subordinate Lodges, moved to a structure on the comer of Ninth and D Streets, N.W. This building was also called the Central Masonic Hall - Central Masonic Hall No. 2 as it were - and was occupied until 1870.

Still not happy with its place of residence the Grand Lodge in 1858 appointed a committee to act with similar committees from the several constituent Lodges to plan the erection of a Temple on Ninth and F Streets, N.W.. On April 22,1864 Congress passed an act, which was approved on April 26, 1864, incorporating the Masonic Hall Association of the District of Columbia. Responsibility for acquiring property, erecting a building, and raising funds for it, was vested in the Association.

The cornerstone of the building was laid on May 20, 1868in a very elaborate ceremony. Members of the Fraternity in the executive departments of the Government were excused to take part in the ceremonies and President Andrew Johnson marched over the entire route of the parade in his character as a Master Mason. Unlike the demonstration that marked the laying of the comerstone at Four-and-a half and D Streets, the procession on this occasion was strictly a Masonic one. The Grand Lodge met in this building on December 27, 1869 for the first public installation of Grand Lodge officers in its history but was not permanently located there until May 20, 1870 when it was appropriately dedicated according to our ancient usage. The Temple was occupied

by Grand Lodge from 1870 to 1908.

Although it hoped otherwise, complete rest from its wanderlust over almost one hundred years was not yet quite achieved as Part I1 of this Article - The Middle Years will attempt to show.

Carl R. LeVine Grand Historian

On Tuesday evening, May 4th, the brethren and many guests of Joppa Lodge No. 35 celebrated the 50th anniversary in Masonry of PGM Frank A. Kenyon. Twice Grand Master in 1972 and 1973 and three times Worshipful Master of Joppa Lodge in 1961,1981 and 1986, MWB Kenyon has dedicated most of his life to serving the brethren of Joppa Lodge and the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia.

Many brothers from around the Jurisdiction and from as far away as Texas attended and gave personal testimonials of the great contributionsMWB Kenyon has made to Masonry and the effect he has had on their lives. Grand Master Dan L Frederick was in attendance and sat in the East during the commemoration. PGM Eldon J. Brown presented MWB Kenyon his fifty year pin. The meeting was attended by over 60 brethren including seven Past Grand Masters of Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia.

Blood Bunk Co?mzittee - The Gift of Life.

-joriry d d~ . b h d c d i .in~ our &md h d g e Blood Bank are Emm a relniwly few donors who regularly donate platelias. Our d k t i v e appmiation bcertainly due them but rathcr than thanking them, hey would like thk rest of US to join them. They know that a unik of w h d t blmd from a single donor cm be sqxara~edinto m p o h s md used to help save th~ or I~IOEpeople's lives. They dm know that a sisgle shock lrauma victim can use one hundrcd units of b l d in a few born ar that in a single day a patient needing a liver transplant can requirt?two Iiundred units of blood products.

Haw n m y times havc we seen or heard h s , 111 w e or over h a radio? Fortunakly, enough of the Ihtjlren have h a d and rcs p n M so that 60 MDI-Masonic family in t h i h Grand Lodge, in m x n t y m n , has had to pay for blood when a tmn~usimwas rcquircd. Their blood requirements were met h m thc Grand Lodge Blood Bank.

Qiving Mod is an ertsy \vay for us to really practice our Most of you reading this can give blood. Thc avcragc belid' in Brotherly Low and to help our fclloiv man. adult's body contains almost a gallon and a half of blood. l w Ic kithan il p.ihe Thc Grand W g e Blood Rank cffort is an old. time tehted While each blood unit i &P r d Wle wd 1hQ c k m ~ that program in nfhich those ~ j h ocan donate blood help body continuously rep]thosc ivho are i n need. I t is cahy lo givc bIood, and al- blood is quic.rrklyreplaced. A h&hy perm can domt though Lhc proccss takes about iln hour, thc actual dona- blood ever fim-six days d p h h i cm t!edmuad ~ rhe tion is madc 8-10 minutes. An hour of your time is a oflen as every two w e e k h n g pl~lclerdu~tim, blood i s circltla~~our of k m,k p h h rn ~ QXrclativcly cmnll cost lo help snvc somconc's lifc. tracted fmm the blwd. and U3e B h l i s MUITM W II ~ E 1-800-GIVE BLOOD is ihe lelephonc number to call to m. makc an appointmen1 to givc blood. N'c say givc but xtually it 1s niorc likc a dcposit in r l bank. The dcposit i, madc to ~ h Grand c Lodgc Blood Bank by gi\*ingyour Lodgc Rlood number (a six digit numbm darling \\ith 004 or 007) whcn you makc you -'Girl d Lifc." You h e n must repon to your Lodgc Blood &irrnan that you gave M d and if it was whole blood or platdm Give Blod

credit .isgiven for each donati~nof platelsk The Lodge BIood Chairman accumulates the donatimu infomadm for the Lodge and subnli~shis.repcmro rheCIrand Mge. If a GI-andLudge of the Disuicr; of Columha F.A.A.M. Mason or a family rnernbw n d s a b l M trmshsian, contact the Grand h d g e Blrwd C h a i m , WB Bill Grcschel (703-31&$2?8). HE will make mangemen ts i\-ith the hospita! for "replacement d i w " h r the blood required. A processing fee for t h Mood used may be chargcd.. H o w m r , health insurance usually covers the pmcssing fee and ~hcrci s no charee for the blood used in the m s f u s i ~ n .

You may be ihinking that if donatins blood is so easy, then w.hat iis the big dcal? Why a m I reading this and why do I hear ahout giving blood i n Lodge? You may think tbi a lot of pcoplc givc blood. The facts are that very few .pb$le donate blood. Although 95% of people in our mmxnu~tywill necd and use a blood product i n their lifc~ime,only 5%:actually donatc blood. The ma-

Light Up the Belmont - 1999 Belmont Ball Du& on your dancing s h o d

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Mark your calendars now for Saturday, October 2, 1999! That's when the members of Federal Lodge #1 and Federal Chapter #38 will "Light Up the Belmont" for the Eighth Annual Belmont Ball to benefit two singular children's charities: "For Love of Children" and "The Scottish Rite Center for Children with Language Disabilities."

The theme of this year's gala "That's Entertainment!" promises to be "an evening presented in several acts." There will be something for everyone and the good times will all be in the name of CHARITY in the resplendent setting of the public rooms of the h ~ e ~ a t i ~Eastem n a l Star Temple, originally built as the Belmont Mansion.

This is an excellent opporhmity to introduce friends to the world of Freemasonry!

I Masons and their guests "lrlppingthe Light Fantastic" in the name of charity during the 1998 Belmont Ball at the historic Belmont Mansion.

In addition to the Big Band sounds and scrumptious food for which the Ball has become famous, a silent auction and a drawing for two "round-trip-Anywhere USA" airline tickets will be among the focal points of the evening. And, oh yes ...there will be a few surprises!

Tickets for this year's Belmont Ball are $75.00 a piece. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible.

Watch future issues of the Voice of Freemasonry for further details about the 1999 Belmont Ball. To be included on the invitation list (or if you have friends whom you would like to receive an invitation) please contact us through: Capital Charities Corporation 10314 Fawcett Street Kensington, Maryland 20895 Attention: 1999 Belmont Ball Committee

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Most Worshipful Dan L Frederick, Grand Master of Masons ,in the District of Columbia, visiting with a member of the Masonic community from England during the 1998 Belmont Ball.

So remember to mark your calendars today and make plans to attend! We look forward to having you all with us Saturday, October 2nd,when we "Light Up the Belmont" in the name of charity.

LARGEST MASONIC EMBLEM DEDICATED DURING HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA COMMEMORATION

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ALEXANDRIA, VA, APRIL 28.1999

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The largest Masonic emblem in the world was dedicated on June 26 at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia. The impressive Masonic ceremony included an afternoon and evening of historic events, a picnic, Army band music and fireworks as part of the year-long commemoration of the bicentennial of the death of our nation's first president, George Washington.

In a formal ceremony at 3 p.m., Most Worshipful George H. Chapin, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, and the officers of the Grand Lodge, dedicated the huge square and compasses emblem constructed on the front terrace of the towering George Washington Memorial building on historic Shooters Hill at the end of King Street.

The dedication continued the tradition of acknowledging great buildings and memorials with Masonic honors. That tradition includes, but is far from limited to, the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monument, and the George Washington Masonic National Memorial edifice where the emblem is located. Prior to erecting this symbol, the largest Masonic emblem in the world, there was nothing to identify the George Washing ton Memorial as a Masonic edifice.

Following the afternoon dedication ceremony, there was entertainment by recording artist and Masonic Brother Dan Hall. In his repertoire, Brother Hall included a song written especially for the dedication ceremony. A picnic dinner was be served on the grounds of the Memorial from 4 to 7 p.m. The U.S. Army Concert Band performed at 7:30 p.m. The festivities culminated at dusk in front of the Memorial with a fireworks display.

Many Grand Lodges in the United States, as well as foreign jurisdictions, were represented at the historic event.

The unique, tall, slender pyramid-like structure of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial is a very visible landmark for travelers on 1-95 and those flying to and from Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport. Its spacious nine floors contain thousands of items of importance to our national heritage, Washington and historical memorabilia of the Masonic fraternity and its allied organizations.

The Memorial is open to the public daily except New Years Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Guided tours are held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a convenient handicap access to the Memorial.

To get to the Memorial, take the 495 Beltway to 95 South. Exit onto Telegraph Road. TurnTight on Duke Street, left on Callahan Drive to the Memorial on the left.

The Memorial belongs to all Masons in the country since every Grand Lodge in the United States supports the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Memberships, donations, endowments and bequests help provide for the operations and upkeep of the Memorial.