21 minute read
Initiated Eye Exhibit in Nebraska
The Initiated Eye Exhibit
in Nebraska
Editor’s note: The following address was given at the Joslyn Museum, Omaha, Nebraska on April 29, 2007.
Dean Skokan, Grand Maste r
Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M. of Nebraska
The Grand Lodge (of Nebraska) first requested The Inivalue to our families, our communities and ourselves. tiated Eye Exhibit as a part of our 150th anniversary This exhibit celebrates the value of Masonry in the celebration three years ago at the Conference of Grand founding of our country and implies that those values Masters of Masons in North America, held in Calgary, never go out of fashion, never become dated and can Canada. It seemed to be a natural part of our celebration never, never die. for at least a couple of reasons: I’ll again make a point I’ve stressed before. There is an First, we wanted to raise the awareness of Freemasonry indissoluble tie between our military and Freemasonry. among a part of the population that really doesn’t know Many of the men depicted in this exhibit are in uniform, muc h about us. Nebraska Masonry is not now the elite if those who served other branches of service will forgive organization it once was. me the generic term, they That’s not a bad thing; we were soldiers. Many of us all know that Masons meet have been. Men in combat on the level and that our are forced to rely upon ritual is constructed to each other, to trust each determine the qualificaother, and at times to tions of the inner man, as place their lives in the opposed to his political or hands of another. Most economic status. While we Masons today are not retain a presence in the called to such life and political arena, our ties to death realities, but that the business community same bond exists among have waned. When my us should we ever need to father was raised in 1948, rely upon it. My first order most of Main Street in our as Grand Master was small town belonged to the designed to reinforce that lodge. These men, though tie between patriotism business competitors, and Freemasonry. This worked together in Lodge, exhibit does that as well. they got to know each other there and learned to trust each other there. That sort of business networking in lodge used to be commonplace. I think that those outside our fraternity are jealous of that trust and have actively worked to undermine it. This exhibit commemorates that Masonic relationship. It will demonstrate to those who visit and reflect upon it, that there is a value to brotherhood, and that the bonds ofbrotherhood, in the most honorable way, are a part of the foundation of our country. It is fitting that we gather today to receive this exhibit. 218 years ago the events depicted here were the news of the day. The anniversary of Washington’s first inauguration is tomorrow. It took place on April 30, 1789. The oath of office was administered by Robert Livingston, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York. The marshal of the day was another Freemason, General Jacob Morton. Yet another Freemason, General Morgan Lewis, was Washington's escort. When he was inaugurated Brother Washington, at the time, was Master of AlexanAn Auspicious Day: Washington dressing in Masonic regal-ia for the Capitol cornerstone laying, September 18, 1793. Painting by Peter Waddell. Second, we need to rebuild our own pride in the Fraterdria Lodge No. 22, Virginia. nity. Our Masonic history provides proof of Masonic
It is no accident that the design of his city reflects Masonic working tools, his and ours. Washington’s Masonry was very real to him. He surrounded himself with Masons throughout his career. In fact, thirty-three of Washington’s most prominent generals in the Continental Army are known to have been Freemasons. The reason for that is obvious to us as Masons…Trust. These men knew that their fortunes, their lives, and their sacred honor, and the future of our country depended on their ability to trust each other, implicitly, to rely on each other absolutely, and place their lives in each others hands completely. There was no stronger bond than the Master Mason’s oath, and there is none today. There was no greater testament to a man’s character than membership in our great brotherhood, and there is none today. That is why Masonry was important enough to Washington to design his city “on the square”, as a living memorial to the character, integrity, and trust inherent in Freemasonry. Some say that time has passed us by, that there is no need for a secret society in today’s world; that there is no requirement of character to be a politician, and no prerequisite of integrity to be a leader. Brethren, the most casual review of the history of civilization should teach us that the freedoms we enjoy as Americans to assemble, to speak, to publish, and to pray, are not the baseline of
witness to Masonry in action in the Halls of Congress. Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of it all was realizing that this one event will help construct the foundation on which many future engagements with our brethren on Capitol Hill will occur.
It is my hope that this event has served as the beginning of a dynamic partnership with Capitol Hill; one of which the Grand Lodge, and each and every one of you can be proud; and one which will enable us to promote our values to our national leaders and to further enhance the already positive impact we are making on our community, the nation, and the world. ■ Freemasonry and Public Education continued from page 23
for every student. The expansion of our program through direct financial assistance, teaching awards, and facilities upkeep will impact the experience of so many more of the District’s students. I look forward to working towards this noble cause in this year, and beyond. ■ human history, they are the zenith. This exhibit celebrates the role ofFreemasonry in reaching that point. We are indebted to the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia for commissioning this exhibit, and for allowing us to bring it here as a part of our 150th anniversary celebration. We are indebted to Joslyn Museum for displaying it in such magnificent surroundings. We are also most indebted to Brooks Joyner, the Director of Joslyn Museum. He knew what we did not know, he knew the director of the Octagon Museum where this exhibit was originally displayed, and knew how to get it here. It would not be here without his efforts, and on behalf of the Grand Lodge I express our gratitude to him. I’ll close by quoting the words carved on the outside of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia. They are taken from an address by President Washington when he visited King David Lodge in Newport, Rhode Island. “Being persuaded that a just application of the principles on which the Masonic Fraternity is founded must be promotive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall always be happy to advance the interest of the Society and to be considered by them as a Brother.” So should we all my Brothers. ■
In the Beginning continued from page 10
transferred to a commercial organization, Medlantic Healthcare. These developments induced the Grand Lodge and the Masonic Foundation to then reassess their established programs and policies and to significantly broaden the charitable objectives of both institutions.
During 1987, for example, the Grand Lodge and the Masonic Foundation collaborated to initiate a scholarship program and to finance the first leadership conference of the Craft at the 4-H Conference Center in Front Royal, Virginia. Since then the Grand Lodge and the Masonic Foundation have increasingly employed their resources to jointly support a broad spectrum of charitable activities in the metropolitan area, with articular emphasis being placed on proj p p gp p jp p gp ects that favor the local Veterans Hospital.cts that favor the local Veterans Hospital. ■
Washington D.C. Masonic Leaders:
Working Together
“See, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in harmony.” – VSL Psalm 133
Kwame Acquaah
Deputy Grand Master
On Saturday, February 9, 2008, at the University Special Olympics in 2006 and 2007. MW Bro. Elias Club, located at 1135-16th Street, NW, our Grand also recalled two visits to Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Master, MW Bro. Akram R. Elias, sat down for a December 2007: his visit to attend the Annual Comworking lunch with The Honorable J. Raymond Murmunication, at which he had the privilege of ray, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most addressing the assembled brethren; and the visit of Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Deputy Grand Master, RWB Kwame Acquaah and 11 Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliation, District of other Grand Lodge officers to participate in the cerColumbia, Incorporated. emonies relating to the Inaugural Address of This was a most happy and harmonious occasion MWBro. Murray. replete with good humor and laughter reflecting a The Grand Masters also examined lessons of expecelebration by men who, but for Masonry, would have rience from inter-lodge visitation between the two remained at a perpetual distance but could now jurisdictions; and exchanged ideas on initiatives address each other common to their as a friend. The jurisdictions such lunch was made as scholarship for more pleasant by needy students, the animated consupport for D.C. versation covering public schools; American history, and community US Constitution, service. geography of the District of Columbia, geometry, philosophy, lawyers, and the history of the respective Grand Lodges. On display was the practice of the charge: At your Left to Right: GM Elias, PHA DGM McWilliams Sr, DGM Acquaah, PHA PGM Adams Jr, PHA SGW Myers, JGS Foly, Rep Gibala, PHA JGW Doles Sr, JGW Villarreal, SGW Gleason, PHA GM Murray. Given the history of cooperation and common interests, the Grand Masters agreed on a number of activities to be undertaken during this masonic year including: leisure hours that (a) MWBro. Elias you may improve in Masonic knowledge, you are to to visit Prince Hall Grand Lodge on Sunday, February converse with well-informed Brethren, who will be 10, 2008 to attend an art show and celebration of always ready to give, as you will be ready to receive Black History Month; instruction. (b) MWBro. Murray to join MWBro. Elias at the Hill Following lunch, the Grand Masters reviewed the Breakfast for Masons on Wednesday, March 12, 2008; history of the warm relationship and cooperation that have existed between the two Grand Lodges in the past many years punctuated by highly visible events including, the September 1993 reenactment (c) The two Grand Lodges will cooperate in the development and implementation of a program to support D.C. public schools; of cornerstone laying of the US Capitol; the Septem(d) MWBro Elias and MWBro. Murray will jointly lay ber 2000 Proclamation of complete and full fraternal a wreath on behalf of Masons of Nation's Capital at recognition between the two Grand Lodges; the joint the World War II Memorial during the World Conferescort of school children to baseball games in 2005 ence of Masonic Grand Lodges, May 7-10, 2008; and 2006, and joint support and assistance for D.C.
(e) The two Grand Lodges will work together on escorting D.C. school children to a baseball game during the summer; and (f) MWBro. Murray will join MWBro. Elias in the laying of cornerstone for the US Capitol Visitors Center during the fall. Much has been said and written about the need for the two Grand Lodges in the Nation’s Capital to work together with all their might, intellect and hearts for the restoration, success and prosperity of the Craft in this beautiful city. This meeting confirmed that great, important and meaningful strides continue to be made towards this goal.
DEA Presentation
On January 9, 2008, the Grand Master of visit to the Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA’s) Washington Division Office (WDO) in the company of Brother Radi Barkett of Jus
The purpose of the visit was to present a check in the amount of $2,000 to Shawn Johnson, the Special Agent in Charge of the WDO, on behalf of the Brethren of Justice-Columbia Lodge No. 3 to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) – DEA SURVIVAL BENEFIT fallen heroes through the CFC. The Grand Master remarked that “Freemasonry’s essence is to enable a person to become master of oneself and sovereign in one’s own right. Drugs and narco-terrorism, on the other hand, takes away a person’s independence and imprisons his or her spirit. “In support of the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and on behalf of the Freemasons of Justice-Columbia Lodge No. 3, please accept this donation as a token of our appreciation and support.” MW Bro. Elias was accompanied by RW Bro. Kwame Acquaah, DGM, RW Bro. Paul Gleason, SGW, RW Bro. Jesse Villareal, JGW, RW Bro. Teko Foly, JGD, and W. Bro. Kenneth Gibala, Grand Representative. MW Bro. Murray was accompanied by RW Bro. David A. Williams, Sr., DGM, (who offered the invocation for the meeting), RW Bro. Mackinnon W. Myers, SGW, RW Bro. John T. Doles, Sr., JGW, and MW Bro. Nathaniel M. Adams, Grand Representative. The brethren were demonstrably happy to have met, sorry to part, and genuinely and enthusiastically
Masons in the District of Colombia paid a tice-Columbia Lodge No. 3.
FUND, which supports the families of DEA looked forward to their next merry meeting. ■
Grand Master Akram R. Elias with Mr. Shawn Johnson, the Special Agent in Charge, (SAC) of the DEA Washington Division Office.
From the left: Brother Radi Barkett of Justice –Columbia Lodge No. 3, Sallie Casto (DEA), Shawn Johnson, (SAC-WDO-DEA), Rula Barkett (DEA), and Grand Master Akram R. Elias. Sallie Casto and Rula Barkett are the CFC coordinators for the Division.
The Masonic Foundation of D.C: Past and Present tinued from page 12con
for two years in a row, Masons of the District of Columbia, with the financial assistance of the Masonic Foundation, supported the Special Olympics of D.C., by providing a barbeque for the athletes, their families and coaches, before the Summer Games Opening Ceremonies, at a cost of nearly $15,000.000, at each event. As the Masonic Foundation of D.C. moves into the future, we are looking forward to expanding our charitable projects. We also are looking for ways to increase our public support. In the past year, we have qualified to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign (48808), so that our members, their families and friends, who work for the federal government, may designate their contributions for the Masonic Foundation of D.C.
The constituent lodges of the Grand Lodge of D.C. and our brethren have been extremely generous in supporting the Masonic Foundation of D.C. We ask you to keep this, your own Masonic charity, in mind when considering your charitable gifts. Contributions can be sent to the Grand Lodge in care of the Grand Secretary and made payable to the Masonic Foundation of D.C. La France Lodge The first goal of La France Lodge in this respect is bridging American and French-speaking Masonry. edge of the specific features and merits of American and French Masonic traditions, and establishing a meeting point in the nation’s capital to introduce visiting French-speaking Brothers to local Masonic resources. Another target is to sensitize Masonic society to the direct human distress. In this respect, La France Lodge supports a Non-Government-Organization (“Amour sans Frontières”) assisting abandoned children and mothers in the Republic ofBenin in Western Africa. It is the first charitable activity for Africa within the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. To accomplish all of this, La France Lodge works in French and in English through three major avenues: 1) Study of rituals, symbolism and meditation 2) Organization of “forums” and major presentations in English, some of them open to non-masons, with question & answer sessions It is true that owing to successful investments on behalf of the Foundation the organization is on sound grounds, but the growth and implementation of the benevolence programs of the Grand Lodge depends, in the last analysis, on the generosity of individual Masons. Remember, brethren, that caring and sharing, within and without the household of the faithful, speaks not only to Masonic duty, but also to Masonic privilege and purpose. The Foundation meets annually, shortly before the Semi-Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in May, to elect officers and discuss disbursement of funds.The Trustees of the Masonic Foundation invite you to attend the annual meeting of the Foundation (April 30th this year), and participate in the proceedings and by doing so help achieve the goals of the Foundation. We especially encourage the Lodge Representatives to participate in the Annual Meeting. It is important that each Lodge be represented by at least one brother at these meetings. The Report of the Masonic Foundation will be presented at the
continued from page 25
This is accomplished by facilitating mutual knowl
Semi-Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.■ 3) Twinning with specific foreign lodges to share mutual Masonic experiences. La France Lodge 93 does most of its Ritual in the French language (or in English, when candidates are English speaking), but all the business and presentations are done in English. The Lodge meets on the 2nd Monday of each month (except July & August) at 7:00pm at Georgetown Masonic Hall. Usually, the Lodge gives 6 major presentations per year along the lines mentioned above, and 2 to 4 per year are “open” to non-masons.
The Lodge has introduced several new subjects over the years, like the “meditation” at the beginning of each communication, to allow everyone to leave the “profane” world, and enter the “sacred” world of the Temple. This allows the Brethren to focus on their work: “Freeing and broadening the mind” through a peaceful, inspiring and pleasurable lodge atmosphere with significant Masonic substance. ■
Grand Master’s Address
at The George Washington Masonic Memorial
Mr. Mayor, Grand Masters, Distinguished Guests, We also remember him as the “American Cincinnatus”, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Brethren All, good for he not only refused the honor to be king, but more afternoon! importantly, resigned his military commission, returned How symbolic it is for us to gather in this magnificent edifice designed after the lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt, whose celebrated library was destroyed causing the loss of the most important repository of knowledge of ancient time. This edifice, symbolizing a beacon of to his farm as a civilian and asked his fellow officers to do the same. Washington understood that while the defense and protection of our republic must lie in the hands of an able military, the governance of the affairs of the republic must remain in the hands of a debating civil society. light, reminds us Freemasons in our country and around We also remember him as the “American Locke” (as in the world of the oath that we have all taken to spread John Locke), for he was the father of limited government the light of knowledge and enlightenment and fight in our country. Washington said “governignorance, intolerance and extremism. To you nonment is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force, like Masons, this edifice represents our pledge to the world that of fire.” What an incredible analogy! Think about it that what happened in ancient for a moment. Reasonable people Alexandria will never, never be light a fire to do some cooking, to get allowed to happen again. warm, but know that fire cannot be How fitting it is to have this edifice erected to the memory of President George Washington. It is unfortunate that our country nowadays celebrates “Presidents’ Day” and in so doing has contributed to the dilution of the extraordinary contribution of the two great giants of the American presidency; George Washington, the founder of the Great Experiment that we call America; and, Abraham Lincoln, the savior of that experiment. Today, we are gathered here to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. While Americans remember and celebrate Washington in different ways, we as Freemasons, celebrate his life as the foremost Freemason in our country. Focus with me on the word “Freemason”. under cont Most Worshipful Brother Akram R. Elias rol and the answer to all of their needs. Similarly, government is needed to provide us with a minimum degree of safety and security, but cannot be the answer to all of the problems and challenges faced by our society. Furthermore, we need to keep a watchful eye on the fire for two reasons. First, we need to feed the fire to keep it going, and similarly, citizens in our republic must remain engaged in the affairs of their government, otherwise government may collapse. Secondly, fire has an inherent tendency to grow and can easily expand out of control, so can government according to Washington, thus requiring citizens to keep it not allow it to overtake their lives. “Free” stands for Liberty, the liberty to worship, speak, Finally, as Grand Master of the District of Columbia, I move around, assemble, associate with others, work and, must also say that Masons in Washington D.C. also yes, dream. “Mason” stands for the builder of a better remember George Washington as the American Washself, better community, better country, and indeed, a betingtonian. Washington did not live to see the relocation ter world. George Washington was a true Freemason. of the federal government from the city of Philadelphia We remember him as the “American Liberator”, for he helped free our people from the tyranny of a king and unleash a dormant potential to establish this Great Experiment that we call America. He was assisted by many other Freemasons from around the country, men to the District of Columbia. He, however, was very intimately involved in the decision to establish the District, to locate it by the Potomac River, to secure the property transfer of lands from their original owners, and to oversee L’Enfant’s plan, etc… like Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Our presence this afternoon is a testament to the honor James Madison, and John Paul Jones to name a few. In that we reserve to George Washington; so let us here and addition, many Freemasons came from overseas to assist now renew our commitment to the preservation of his George Washington in the Revolutionary War such as von legacy and its transmission from one generation of Steuben of Prussia, Kosciuszko of Poland, Rochambeau Americans to another until time shall be no more. Thank and Lafayette of France. you, and God bless you! ■
David A. Balcom, Grand Chaplain Kenneth D. Fuller, Senior Grand Steward Joseph S. Crociata, Senior Grand Deacon Robert F. Drechsler, PGM, Grand Treasurer Jesse Villarreal, Junior Grand Warden Kwame Acquaah, Deputy Grand Master
Akram R. Elias, Grand Master Paul D. Gleason, Senior Grand Warden Mansour Hatefi, PGM, Grand Secretary Christopher K. Mahaney, Grand Lecturer Teko A. Foly, Junior Grand Deacon James T. Feezell, Junior Grand Steward
2008 OFFICERS IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL ROTUNDA
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