To Create a Legacy

HOW ONE MASON CHANGED THE WORLD BY BEING A BUILDER

Jeremy S. Barnes ,

JW, Potomac Lodge No.5

In the minds of many Americans, the name John Pershing evokes a wide range of emotions: brilliant tactician; desk-riding micromanager; six-star General; unforgiving disciplinarian; the Presidential candidate of the people; the Captain who made General because of his connections. In one way or another, Pershing was all of these things, and many more. His relevance today, however, is sharply different from that of his contemporaries. The reason for this is simple: Pershing’s adherence to a high set of moral standards, and his insistence that those around him meet the same standards, inspired others to improve themselves. As a military officer, Pershing was well known for his principles. He dressed impeccably, and in fact is the reason that members of the armed forces must maintain a well-groomed appearance and a clean, pressed uniform. His strict disciplinary standards were well known by his students at West Point, and his ethics and fair treatment of the local populace kept the peace during his time in the Philippines. Many high ranking officials, however, both military and civilian, have become well known for their approaches to the world. From the Marshall Plan to Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book, our world has been shaped, and from time to time re-shaped, by the ideas of the wise and the powerful. How then, did General of the Armies Pershing succeed in ensuring that his name would outlast the other leaders of his time? And what can we, as Masons, learn from him? To answer these questions, one needs only to look at the legacy that General Pershing left behind, the organization that still bears his name: the National Society of Pershing Rifles. The nation’s premier undergraduate military fraternal organization, the hallmark of the Pershing Rifles is that they remain as true to their founder’s ideals today as the General did throughout his lifetime. It has been said that class never goes out of style, nor does propriety. In a world of instant communication and lawsuit-happy citizens, organizations that adhere to “outmoded” ideals such as Relief, Truth, and Brotherly Love should have a hard time keeping up with today’s impersonal, digital reality. Yet neither Masonry nor the Pershing Rifles are fading into the history books; rather, both are experiencing a virtual renaissance. In each case, the ideals of the organization are the root of this success.

In 1891, when Pershing arrived as the newly-appointed Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the University of Nebraska, he was appalled by what he found. The cadets there, lulled into believing the public perception that there would never be another war, lacked even basic levels of motivation and esprit de corps. No doubt Pershing’s Masonic background was one reason for his reaction: he created a precision rifle drill team, and named it Company A. The rationale behind Company A was simple: by placing the best-drilled and highest motivated cadets on display, and by creating an environment in which they could improve themselves, Pershing hoped to create an example for the rest. His plan worked wonderfully: against long odds and public opposition, Company A entered and won the maiden competition of the National Competitive Drills in Omaha, NE. The rest of the cadets, inspired by the success of their peers, improved as a unit. Pershing’s success was such, in fact, that the President of the University—once, like most of the faculty, opposed to the military’s presence on his campus—went out of his way to personally request that Pershing’s tour of duty at the school be extended.

As for the members of Company A, the work ethic and ideals instilled in them by Lieutenant Pershing shaped their future. In two short years they reorganized themselves as a fraternal organization, taking the name “Varsity Rifles”. A year later, in honor of their founder, they changed their name to the “Pershing Rifles”. Membership became a high military honor, and the organization was widely seen as an integral part of Nebraska’s social framework. Their prestige rose with Pershing’s, and membership at its peak included over 10,000 students at nearly 200 colleges and universities around the nation. The members of the original unit -

went on to distinguish themselves both in battle as well and should be remembered for them; in General of the as in civilian careers; many of their successors have Armies Pershing’s case, however, his name is kept alive received similar honors. on a daily basis by the young men and women of the Much has been written about the path that Pershing’s Pershing Rifles. In this manner, Pershing left a true career followed upon his deparlegacy: an unending chain of inditure from the University of viduals dedicated, just as the Nebraska; in all accounts, his tireGeneral was, to the timeless ideals less attention to detail and his of loyalty; devotion; friendship; jusgallantry under pressure stand tice; truth; purity; cleanliness of out. By staying true to his basic heart; and rectitude of conduct. moral beliefs, he made a reputaAnd so, even this brief study yields tion for himself as a strict—but a profound lesson for the Mason: fair—officer who supported the as we perpetuate the name of high standards he demanded by Masonry by working to better ourexceeding them himself. From the selves and each other, we respect he gave the Buffalo Sollengthen the life of our fraternity. diers he led to his demand that As we learn to subdue our pasAmerican forces in the Great War sions in favor of selfless service, would fight under the American we strengthen the Craft, and in Flag, his ethics earned him the turn strengthen ourselves. The respect of all who knew him. In wise understand that true strength, 1919, the United States Congress power, and influence come only rewarded his selfless service by through service to one’s fellow advancing him to the rank of General of the Armies, the highest rank • Pershing Riflemen at the 2004 John J. Pershing Memorial Drill Competition man; as Masons, our calling is to be known among men for our willever held by an American military officer. ingness to serve. Remember, as Pershing did, that Nearly sixty years after his death, the name John Pershthere are always those willing to improve themselves; ing has not been forgotten by the general public. Other even when faced with what seems to be overwhelming prominent military figures such as Bradley, MacArthur, complacency, sometimes excellence only needs a or Nimitz are primarily remembered in the context of hisforum in which to flourish. ■ tory, or for the places or fighting machines that bear their names. These men accomplished great things,

John Joseph Pershing, Master Mason

General Pershing received his first three degrees in December of 1888, likely while on leave from his military duties. He was initiated into Lincoln Lodge No. 19 of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska on December 11, 1888, and passed and raised on December 22 of the same year. In 1894, Pershing received further light as a Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar, both also in Lincoln, NE. In 1919, General Pershing was granted Honorary Membership in Stansbury Lodge No. 19, F.A.A.M. of the District of Columbia (now National-Stansbury-Dawson Lodge No. 12). He received his 32nd degree in Wheeling, WV in 1920, and was made a 33rd Degree Mason in 1930. Pershing was also a member of the Shrine. In 1942, Pershing had the singular honor of being made an Honorary Member of the Grand Lodge of Missouri by President Truman, himself a Mason.