Independence Day Parade and Picnic

Palisades Independence Day Parade and Picnic

James T. Feezell, PM Grand Marshal

Freemasons of the nation’s capital city commemorated 231 years of the United States Declaration of Independence by participating in the 41st Annual Palisades Independence Day Parade and Picnic, on Wednesday, July 4th, 2007. The festivities commenced at 11 AM with a parade up MacArthur Boulevard from the Whitehaven Parkway to the Palisades Recreation Center. At the end of the parade route, the crowd was treated to a picnic with complimentary food and entertainment, courtesy of the Palisades Citizens Association (PCA), local merchants, and the Freemasons of the District of Columbia.

WB Richard Bautista, of Albert Pike Lodge No. 33 organized the Parade Team. He lined up the walkers and drivers and equipped Brothers, cars, and motorcycles with flags and banners. Along the one mile parade route, the Brothers were replenished with miniature flags for the children, pamphlets about the Masonic Child Identification Program (CHIP) for their parents, and water for themselves, to fend off the July heat.

RW Brother Akram R. Elias, Deputy Grand Master rode in the lead car this year. Following in the convoy was MW Bro. Len Proden, PGM, and DC’s Deputy of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite. Representing the York Rite, were Past Grand Commanders of the Knights Templar of DC, WB Hugh Shawen and Charles “Buddy” Wagner. The Masonic motorcade included two of our own Wild Ones: WB Maximilian Ullmann, PM, of Italia Lodge No. 2001 and Grand Chancellor, and Bro. Warren Peck, of National-Stansbury-Dawson Lodge No. 12, gunning their Harleys.

Dozens of walking Brethren rounded out the contingent. Some bore banners and flags. Some handed out miniature flags or pamphlets. The Clownettes of Montgomery Forest No. 134, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, amused and delighted all. Not to be out-clowned, for the first time, this year the Nobles of Almas Shrine also marched in the Palisades parade, forfeiting their coveted spot in the National Independence Day Parade downtown, to join their Brethren on the cooler, tree-lined streets of the Palisades along the banks of the Potomac River.

At the end of the parade, the Brothers were greeted at the picnic grounds of the Palisades Recreation Center with fresh watermelon, cool beverages, and hot dogs expertly grilled by the Grilling Teams headed by Worshipful Brother Patrick Nnaji and Brother Arthur Lawson, both of East Gate Lodge No. 34. Before the day was out the Brothers of the Grilling Teams would cook and serve over 3,000 frankfurters!

WB Dalton West, PM, led the Masonic Child Identification Program station with the assistance of Bro. Alan Patterson and others, all of the Naval Lodge No. 4. Together, the CHIP Team helped

parents collect and document vital information about their children in a format designed to expedite law enforcement response in case their child is missing or abducted.

Throughout the day, along the parade and about the picnic, the man behind the camera was our own WB William D. Means, of William R. Singleton-Hope

Lebanon Lodge No. 7. Bill snapped dozens of photos of the event, recording the day for posterity.

While the parade began at 11AM, Brethren were at labor as early as 8AM to prepare for the day’s activities. MW Bro. Lee Ferguson, PGM, and the brothers of the First Grilling Team were among the first out, hauling equipment from the Grand Lodge

to the Recreation Center and firing up the coals with the first light of the day. Soon thereafter, Bro. Lee continued his labors, helping WB Bautista move parade walkers from the Recreation Center to the start of the parade route, and after the parade got underway, he began the task of transporting water, flags, and flyers along the parade route, providing musical accompaniment for the morale and cadence of our contingent. It appears a Past Grand Master of the District of Columbia is due some perquisites, but exemption from work detail is not among them.

For our laboring Brethren, the day continued well after the parade and party were done. The Second Grilling Team took over the Comestibles Command Center about noon and seamlessly continued grilling and serving the culinary Coney Island delights. While the temperatures behind the grills were right out of Dante, the atmosphere was light and boisterous as scores of Masonic chefs stopped by to share with the Teams the proper way to set up the coals and cook a hot dog. The franks ran out about the same time as the party began to wind down. The Second Cooking Team disassembled their work station and cleaned up their area, leaving the park litter-free and the picnickers all well-fed and happy.

Many Brothers contributed to the success of this event. An exhaustive list of all who drilled, grilled and otherwise tilled would fill this entire issue. To everyone who bore a hand in making this day a successful Craft event, I offer my thanks. I recognize, especially, my Independence Day Palisades Activities Committee Co-Chairman, WB Alexander Olbrich, PM, Master of Arminius Lodge No. 25. The prime mover and shaker of this event, WB Olbrich raised the call to rally the troops, led both Grilling Teams into the fray, and labored until the last case was hauled back to the Grand Lodge building at the end of the day.

We were overwhelmed with volunteers to work the event. Thanks to all of the members of the Committee, especially WB West, who planned and executed the CHIP Program flawlessly; WB Kurt Hamrock, Master of William R. Singleton Hope Lebanon Lodge No. 7.conscripted an entire cooking team from the ranks of his lodge and from the members of Nation’s Capital De Molay, of which he is the Executive Officer.

Nor were W Bros. Olbrich and Hamrock the only sitting Masters representing their Lodges in the quarries. At least a dozen Masters abandoned their gavel and Oriental chair for the day in favor of toque and tongs. Most of these Worshipful Brothers brought with them a strong turnout of Fellows of the Craft from their lodges to labor.

Thanks, also, to Ill. Jeffrey G. Bodie, Potentate of Almas Shrine Temple, and Bro. Robert K. Blaine, Colonel of Almas Shrine Temple, for bringing the Nobles of Almas Shrine to the Grand Lodge’s Palisades Parade. It appeared the Brothers, their families and friends all enjoyed them immensely.

Independence Day at the Palisades feels like a “small town” event transported to our Big City. In all, the day was a great success, certainly for the Brethren who participated and attended the event, but also for the entire Fraternity in the District of Columbia. I hope to see you there in ’08!