GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Voice of Freemasonry Volume 24, Number 1, 2007 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Robert B. Heyat, Grand Master MANAGING EDITOR Mansour Hatefi, Grand Secretary
THE LEGEND LIVES ON February 22, 2007 marks the 275th anniversary of the birth of the quintessential American icon, George Washington. Yes, we know that he was “First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of his Countrymen”; but did the man really live up to the legend? This
The Voice of Freemasonry is an official publication of
issue of the Voice of Freemasonry endeavors to answer that question
the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons
by focusing beyond the romanticized stories and popularized myths.
(F.A.A.M.) of the District of Columbia. Unless otherwise
You will find articles discussing Washington as a leader and role
noted, articles appearing in this publication express
model and a man of conscience and great scope. Learn more about
only the private opinion or assertions of the writer, and
Washington the Mason and discover Washington the early Ameri-
do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Grand Lodge. The jurisdiction speaks only through the
can futurist. Read about why this virtuous man deserves the
Grand Master and the Executive Board and, when
impressive Masonic memorial that bears his name and how Wash-
attested to as official, in writing, by the Grand Secretary.
ington played the key role in the location and founding of our
The editorial staff invites contributions in the form of
national capital. You will uncover a Washington who, it turns out,
informative articles, reports, news and other timely
was every bit as great as we have come to believe.
information (of about 500 to 1000 words in length) that broadly relate to Masonic law, lore, customs, history, symbolism, philosophy, responsibility of membership,
Cover art is courtesy of National Heritage Museum in Lexington,
etiquette, current events, and/or general public inter-
Mass. George Washington, ca. 1847 by Rembrandt Peale (1778-
est. When possible, photographs that illustrate these
1860), oil on canvas (75.6).
informative articles should accompany the submission. Pieces submitted should be typed, double-spaced and preferably accompanied by a computer disk in a neutral PC format or via e-mail to: grandlodge@dcgrandlodge.org
Table of Contents
Page
Cover Credit........................................................................................................2 Grand Master’s Message .....................................................................................3 Articles are subject to editing and, when published, become the property of the Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M., of
George Washington, Leader and Role Model ........................................................5 George Washington, The Man ..............................................................................6
the District of Columbia. No compensation is allowed
George Washington, The Mason ..........................................................................8
for any articles, photographs, or other materials sub-
George Washington, Early American Futurist ......................................................10
mitted for publication.
Grand Master’s Homecoming .............................................................................12
Permission to reprint articles will be granted upon
A Masonic Memorial to a Virtuous Man ..............................................................17
written request to the Editor from recognized Masonic
George Washington & Washington, DC ..............................................................20
publications and others. When reprinted, articles
Membership in the Grand Lodge ........................................................................22
should note: “Reprinted with permission of the Voice of
World Conference of Grand Lodges, 08 .............................................................24
Freemasonry in the Nation’s Capital, (month), (year).”
In Memoriam: Gerald R. Ford ............................................................................25 The National Masonic Trail .................................................................................26
Please direct all correspondence to:
Coming Events and Seminars ............................................................................27 2007 Grand Lodge Officers ...................................................................back cover
Managing Editor: The Voice of Freemasonry 5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W. Washington, DC 20016-2524
The Voice of Freemasonry
2
Photo credits: All photographs in this issue, unless otherwise indicated, were provided by the Grand Lodge photographer, Brother Sviatoslav V. Voloshin. Gallagher Photography produced the group photo appearing on the back cover and the George Washington Masonic Memorial provided the parade photo on page 19. Unless otherwise indicated all other images were derived from open sources on the internet.
