Cover Notes

Voice of Freemasonry Volume 24, Number 2, 2007

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Robert B. Heyat, Grand Master

MANAGING EDITOR Mansour Hatefi, PGM Grand Secretary

The Voice of Freemasonry is an official publication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons (F.A.A.M.) of the District of Columbia. Unless otherwise noted, articles appearing in this publication express only the private opinion or assertions of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Grand Lodge. The jurisdiction speaks only through the Grand Master and the Executive Board and, when attested to as official, in writing, by the Grand Secretary. The editorial staff invites contributions in the form of

informative articles, reports, news and other timely information (of about 500 to 1000 words in length) that broadly relate to Masonic law, lore, customs, history, symbolism, philosophy, responsibility of membership, etiquette, current events, and/or general public interest. When possible, photographs that illustrate these 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

Articles are subject to editing and, when published, become the property of the Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M., of the District of Columbia. No compensation is allowed for any articles, photographs, or other materials submitted for publication. Permission to reprint articles will be granted upon written request to the Editor from recognized Masonic publications and others. When reprinted, articles should note: “Reprinted with permission of the Voice of Freemasonry in the Nation’s Capital, (month), (year).”

Please direct all correspondence to: Managing Editor: The Voice of Freemasonry 5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W. Washington, DC 20016-2524

MAKING MASONS AT SIGHT, HONORING SERVICE AND SACRIFICE

On Wednesday, April 4, 2007, John Kriesel, a 25 year old Minnesota National Guard Soldier, now a patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, was made a Mason at Sight by the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia.

Sgt. John Kriesel, who lost both legs and suffered other injuries in a roadside explosion in Operation Iraqi Freedom, was presented with the Purple Heart by President George W. Bush at Walter Reed AMC on December 22, 2006.

The history of Making Masons at Sight in the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, and Brother Kriesel’s own story are featured in this issue of the Voice of Freemasonry.

Table of Contents

Page

Cover Notes........................................................................................................2

Grand Master’s Message .....................................................................................3 Grand Lodge ‘Я ’ Us ............................................................................................5 Honoring Service and Sacrifice ............................................................................6 Making Masons at Sight ......................................................................................8 Investing in the Craft..........................................................................................12 The Free-Mason’s Mystical Journey....................................................................16 Freemasonry: Fraternal Organization or Fraternal Initiatic Society? .....................19 Life – and Death – after Harold...........................................................................21

On Our Knees: Thoughts on Masonic Prayer .....................................................23 To Create a Legacy............................................................................................24 The One Year Challenge ....................................................................................26 Coming Events ..................................................................................................26 Masonic Research Awards Program ...................................................................27

Photo credits: All photographs in this issue, unless otherwise indicated, were provided by the Grand Lodge photographer, Brother Sviatoslav V. Voloshin.