Masonic Outreach Winter 2023 - Masonic Home of Missouri

Working Together. Succeeding Together.

Mission & History

In 1875, MWB John C. Ralls presented the idea of “a ‘Home’ for the indigent widows and minors (orphans) of worthy (deceased) Master Masons ... to be located in some suitable and healthy place.”

Through the hard work of many, the Masonic Home incorporated in 1886 and opened the doors of the St. Louis Home to its first resident, a 12-year-old girl named Della Gale Farthing, in 1889.

The Home expanded into a full campus of service for indigent Masons and their families. The Masonic Home opened the Western Unit in Kansas City in 1986. In 1991, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close the St. Louis facility and relocate the residents living there. But also in 1991, the Board created the Outreach Program, a financial assistance program that could reach qualified individuals in their communities. In 2011, the Board of Directors also sold the Western Unit to focus 100 percent of its efforts on the Outreach Programs.

Outreach expanded from one program to 10, each satisfying a slightly different need throughout the Masonic Family. Three provide financial assistance to Masons, their wives or widows, ladies of the Eastern Star, and their dependent children. Three Partnership Programs partner with Lodges and Chapters throughout the state to provide for needy children, help their fellow brothers and sisters with a project, help send veterans on Honor Flights, and give care packages to active military. The final four programs are non-financial, serving the membership through financial education, honoring Masonic widows and veterans, and providing information on community resources.

We encourage you to check us out on our website at mohome.org or give us a call at (800) 434-9804.

MAIN CONTACT INFORMATION

Masonic Home of Missouri 6033 Masonic Dr., Ste. A, Columbia, MO 65202

Phone: (573) 814-4663 | Toll Free: (800) 434-9804 Fax: (573) 814-4660 Website: mohome.org

Masonic Complex Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed for State and Federal Holidays

Masonic Museum Hours: (At the Masonic Complex in Columbia, MO) Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Barbara Ramsey, Executive Director bramsey@mohome.org | Ext. 209

Jodi Blake, Director of Finance & Fund Development jblake@mohome.org | Ext. 212

DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

Jackie Walters, Sr. Engagement & Major Gifts Officer jwalters@mohome.org | Ext. 214

Fran Patrick, Communications & Development Officer fpatrick@mohome.org | Ext. 245

MASONIC HOME PROGRAMS

Long-Term Financial Assistance Sonya Carney, Financial Assistance Caseworker scarney@mohome.org | Ext. 218

Short-Term Financial Assistance, Financial Education, Children’s Outreach Carly Dibben, Financial Assistance & Education Program Manager cdibben@mohome.org | Ext. 217

Allyson Reynolds, Financial Assistance Caseworker areynolds@mohome.org | Ext. 219

Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) & Partnering to Honor (PTH) Letitia “Tisha” Woodard, Partnership Coordinator twoodard@mohome.org | Ext. 210

Widows & Veterans Programs, Masonic Family Cares Program Chantana Irvin, Masonic Family Cares Coordinator cirvin@mohome.org | Ext. 239

Museum & Masonic Complex Calendar Michelle Phillippe, Administrative Building Coordinator mphillippe@mohome.org | Ext. 213

I am simply in love with this issue of the Masonic Outreach magazine!

The stories in this magazine are all about the difference we can make together — the impact on others’ lives and our own when we come together to say thank you and show kindness to others.

The first story in this magazine makes me a bit teary each time I read it. I am so grateful to the Lodges and Chapters that have come together with the Masonic Home to say a very public thank you to our Veterans. I, again, thank MWB Kaeser and RWB Bryson for creating the beautiful ceremony that our Masonic Home Ambassadors can use to say this special thank you.

To the Rainbow Girls and Grand Secretary Debbie Olds – thank you for teaching the rest of us how a note and a little box of sunshine can make someone feel loved and connected. I always remember the words of Clifford, our 101 year old client: “when you get to be my age you simply outlive your family and friends, but I have my Masonic family.” You made sure that Clifford knew he was still part of a family.

Since we are featuring our Veteran’s Program in this addition, it only made sense to feature Omar Bradley for the Museum Moment. It was a pleasant surprise when I discovered the article written by Steve Harrison in the Freemason magazine several years ago. I reached out to Steve who graciously agreed to a reprint to tell the story of General

Bradley - an amazing man, veteran and Mason!

In this magazine, you might have noticed a new member to the Masonic Home team — Fran Patrick. The insert on the Creating-A-Partnership Program (CAP) was all her idea. We wanted to incorporate CAP into this magazine, but we had so many stories to tell. A little magazine within the magazine just devoted to CAP was the perfect solution. Needless to say, we are excited to have Fran as part of our Masonic Home team!

Finally, I have to comment on the Grenner story. It is a beautiful reminder of the opportunities we have today to make a lasting impact for others. When Gussie established her gift, she was helping the children in the orphanage on Delmar in St. Louis. I wonder what Gussie would think today, knowing that the same gift she gave is now helping thousands of children statewide through Children’s Outreach and the CAP program.

Make a difference. Work together. Succeed together.

Recognition of a Selfless Act

A chance to bestow our gratitude to the men and women who have kept our country safe.

By Fran Patrick

A“Veteran” — whether on active duty, discharged, retired or reserve, is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check for an amount of, up to and including, their life. This selfless service reminds us, in the words of Harry S. Truman, of “our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country that can never be repaid.”

“The Fraternity has always recognized the importance of Veterans,” says RWB Emmett Bryson, but we “have never done so in such a way that truly puts the spotlight on what they have done for us. The presentation accomplishes this and provides a permanent reminder of that recognition.”

MWB Rick W. Kaeser, Jr. and RWB Emmett Bryson created, what is now used across the state of Missouri in all Veteran Flag presentations, a script that brings in Masonic elements. As Masons we are “banded together to make our communities better,” shares Rick “because we share the laudable goal to be true to our government, and just to our country, it’s no surprise that Masons, as a whole, tend to be very patriotic.” The presentation, he continues “is one of the most meaningful ceremonies we perform.”

And, as the script reminds us, the “tokens of appreciation” capture the essence of the message of gratitude and understanding of the sacrifice made, and promises as a

Fraternity, the “extraordinary service to your country ... your love, loyalty, and, zealous sense of duty ... will not be forgotten.” The Fraternity, Rick says “welcomes the chance to thank their military Brothers for their service to our country on behalf of all of us.”

This year, as Ambassadors were able to resume the Flag Ceremony Presentations, nearly 300 presentations have been made to date across the state of Missouri in Lodges and Chapters. And, while the recognition is not asked for, it resonates for differing reasons. For members who are not Veterans, it gives them the opportunity to pay tribute to those

who have sacrificed so much. And, to the Veterans, it provides further confirmation that the sacrifices they have made, no matter the extent of those sacrifices, has not gone unnoticed.

Poplar Bluff Lodge No. 209 has made over 60 presentations so far this year, including members from Puxico Lodge No. 596, Grandin Lodge No. 579, Four Mile Lodge No. 212, Greenville Lodge No.107, Lakeville Lodge No. 589, and Poplar Bluff Chapter #344.

It was during these presentations that RWB Jonce Chidister presided over Sister Kathy Kennedy’s flag presentation. Accompanied by

her son, Brother Doug Kennedy, Poplar Bluff No. 209 member, Sister Kathy Kennedy, a 97year old Navy WWII Veteran and Eastern Star member, was recognized for her service.

Sister Kennedy, was stationed in Memphis, TN during World War II as a nurse in the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), a division of the U.S. Navy created during World War II to free up male personnel for sea duty. It was here she met her husband in the chow line and, as they say, the rest was history. At the end of the war they married and, as her son retells they “got to the state line and he asked her

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country that can never be repaid.”

— Harry S. Truman

‘Where do you want to go?’” The couple found their way to Poplar Bluff in 1948, and built strong Masonic and local community connections. “Dad worked for the VA and served the local Lodge (Poplar Bluff No. 209), and held roles in both regional and district areas. Mom was active in the Order of the Eastern Star,” tells son Doug Kennedy, also a member of Poplar Bluff Lodge.

Fast forward to this past summer, and the opportunity for a Lodge, and a Fraternity to say thank you to Sister Kennedy for her service. The family were proud to see both the military and Masonic worlds come

together to honor their mother. The ceremony definitely was a “very special effort to recognize not only her life’s service, but all the Veterans who have served,” Doug shares. “It was a very nice ceremony and Mom was made to feel center of attention.”

The presentation ceremony to honor our Masonic Veterans is more than a presentation of a flag, it is a moment to publicly honor individuals who have shown us the meaning of this selfless act, and, as Truman reminds us, “they have earned our undying gratitude.”

When asked if there is a personal moment that resonates with him, Emmett shared that the

moment in the ceremony when the Veteran is given a chance to speak truly shows the impact of the moment.

“Whether they give a long speech or simply state their branch, rank, and years of service, they do it with pride ... but most swell up with at least one tear. It makes them proud,” shares Emmett.

It is humbling to be able to stand at the altar, in front of family members, like the Kennedy’s and recognize this amazing, selfless commitment that one person has made. And whether the ceremony be in their Lodge or Chapter or in their own home, it truly impacts those who are being recognized. “What a wonderful tribute to [my husband] as a Mason and as a Veteran!” tells a spouse of a summer Veteran Flag Presentation. “When he saw the flag, he brightened and said, ‘That’s the Masonic symbol, and I’m a Mason!’”

Rick’s hope is that those in attendance of a ceremony, “are left with a sense of pride for their country and a renewed gratitude for the men and women who have kept it safe for over 200 years.”

And, in the busyness of our day to day lives, we continue to take a moment to recognize and thank those who have given so freely their service, so we may live with the freedoms we enjoy for the next 200 years.

Lodges and Chapters interested in holding a flag presentation for their veterans may contact Michelle Phillippe at mphillippe@mohome.org.

Rainbow Girls

Filling mailboxes with happy mail.

By Fran Patrick

One of the greatest lessons we can teach the younger generation is the value of helping others. But what defines “helping others”? Is it monetary donations? While greatly appreciated, there is something extra special when a person, or persons, take the time to give from the heart, and that is exactly what the Missouri Rainbow Girls have shown us.

The leaders of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (IORG) are always looking for

ways to encourage and teach its members the value of giving back. Debbie Olds, Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter of Missouri, Order of the Eastern Star, shares that, while giving back to communities is great, the IORG looks for opportunities “to get the girls involved with other Masonic bodies on a local level.”

The Masonic Family Cares Program was established as a way to connect Lodges and Chapters to Masonic brothers

and sisters in need of a helping hand. Over the years the program has expanded, and during the pandemic the Masonic Home and Order of the Eastern Star worked together creating packages to send out to members as part of the Pen Pal program.

As an integral part of OES, along with her involvement with the IORG, Debbie was the perfect connector to bring the groups together when the Rainbow Girls wanted to be part of the solution to ease the loneliness and isolation felt by so many Masonic brothers and sisters.

After the first care package event, the "Build a Box of Sunshine" party with Ashland Chapter #309, the project took off and was selected to be one of

the statewide service projects completed at Grand Assembly (there are usually two or three service projects chosen each year). Fast forward to the recent announcement that, in 2023, the “Build a Box of Sunshine” service project for the Masonic Home clients will be the sole service project of the Missouri IORG’s Grand Assembly. It is quite an achievement by all involved.

“The girls love doing it,” shares Debbie. “It is an awesome experience to watch them stuff the boxes, and read the messages they write ... all to help bring sunshine to those who receive them. The boxes have taught them that sometimes just a simple box, with simple items and a note of encouragement, that arrives at the most unexpected time can change a cloudy, dreary day into a day of sunshine and happiness!”

Each box is filled with items that have been donated

statewide by the girls. This year there will be over 100 boxes delivered, each with a sweet card, picture, and goodies to show our members that we are thinking of them. There is no doubt that these packages are well received as made apparent by the endless thank you cards and appreciative messages sent to the Masonic Home.

“They may not realize it now, but once they get out in the ‘real world,’ they will look back on their involvement with the IORG and be glad they shared these moments,” says Debbie.

Building a strong foundation around the idea of service empowers young minds to carry on their philanthropic ideals into adult life, and we thank the Missouri Rainbow Girls and the Order of the Eastern Star for working with us to bring a ray of sunshine to member’s mailboxes and make a world of difference this holiday season.

“The boxes have taught them that sometimes just a simple box can change a cloudy, dreary day, into a day of sunshine and happiness!”

Omar N. Bradley

A most important figure in Missouri history.

By Barbara Ramsey

The world relied heavily upon journalists and newspapers for information during WWII. Ernie Pyle was one of those frontline WWII journalists. Pyle would cover the war, meeting generals and soldiers alike. One of the men he covered along his journey was Omar Bradley. He found Omar to be a man who paid special care and attention to the treatment of the soldiers in his command.

Pyle would write that Omar was the “soldier’s general,” which became the nickname that stayed with Omar. Other writers would go on to change Pyle’s label for Omar, making him known as “the GI’s General.”

Just this little insight into General Bradley demonstrates why countless books and articles have been written. Yes, he was an important leader for America during WWII and beyond, but it is the man that Omar was that makes readers connect.

Steve Harrison is one of the many authors having written about Omar. Originally printed in the Freemason, Volume 52, No. 2, Spring 2008, Harrison’s article shares the life of Omar, his service, and his connection to Masonry. A special thank you to Steve Harrison for allowing this reprint of his article for this issue of the Masonic Outreach magazine.

MUSEUM MOMENT

It becomes clear as you learn more about Omar Bradley why he was chosen to be a part of the Masonic Home’s Truman Club Recognition Societies and is featured in the Masonic Museum at the Masonic Complex in Columbia, Missouri.

The Truman Club is a way for the Masonic Home to recognize and thank individual donors for their financial support of the Masonic Home of Missouri. Once a donor’s cumulative giving reaches $1,000, the donor becomes a Truman Club Society Member. Donors who have given $50,000 or more become members of the Omar Bradley Society.

In the Masonic Museum, Omar Bradley is featured in the Patriots and Pathmakers Gallery, a display

that highlights his connection to Missouri, as it was his home before going to West Point. Missouri honored their native son dedicating the Omar N. Bradley Airport on July 5, 1943, which is also featured in the display.

The museum display shows the covers of three magazines Omar has graced: Infantry Journal (December 1947), Life (April 5, 1951) and Real Life Comics (January 1945, No. 21). A military journal, a general interest magazine, and a comic — very diverse publications all celebrating the life and achievements of Omar.

In addition, the display features and article in which Omar is addressing a crowd following the war and is quoted as saying:

“That is because you people and others like you, were behind the Army and the Navy and the Air Corps and all other services. Wars are fought today not only by men in the field but also by the people back home.”

As you read the following article on the life of Brother Bradley, it is worth a pause to think about this widely celebrated Mason. He directly impacted the course of a world war, then he continued to give his time and talents as called upon to serve his country. We honor his service. We honor his memory.

The Masonic Home of Missouri is grateful to all those currently serving and their families. In addition, we cannot say thank you enough to all of our Veterans.

The Soldier’s General

By Steve Harrison

Past Master and Fellow, Missouri Lodge of Research

The two Masonic brothers concluded their meeting, shook hands and parted. They both had their doubts. To say this had been one of the most important meetings in World War II was no exaggeration. To say it didn’t go well was no less true. Outside, General Omar Bradley knew he had not shown the forcefulness of other generals. He felt he had been so unimpressive he was astounded his brother had openly confided in him. He had walked in to discuss his command position over the troops in Europe, but walked out wondering if the president would allow his promotion to go forward. “I was flabbergasted,” he later wrote, “I left his office in a troubled state of mind.” 1

Inside the oval office, President Franklin Roosevelt was also troubled. He wondered if the quiet, unassuming Omar was up to one of the most horrific jobs ever.2 However, it was Omar’s

modest and tempered nature that made him the right fit and won support from both Dwight D. Eisenhower and George C. Marshall. They both assured Roosevelt that Omar, not the impulsive George Patton, was the man for the job — and the job was a big one, commander of the First Army over Operation Overlord, more commonly known as the Battle of Normandy or, simply, D-Day. It was September, 1943. Nine months later they would all learn if Marshall and Eisenhower were right.

John and Bessie Bradley were a hopelessly poor couple who lived near Clark, Missouri in the late nineteenth century. John, like his father, had started out life as a farmer but at nineteen, entered a rural school. Two years later he found himself qualified to teach and launched his life’s profession as a schoolteacher. The couple

greatly admired local newspaper editor Omar Gray and when their son was born on February 12, 1893, they named him after the editor. Omar Nelson Bradley’s middle name came from a local doctor.3

John Bradley was an athletic type who carved his own baseball bats and passed his love of the sport on to Omar. In addition to teaching, he set up small libraries in the schools near Clark and taught his son a lifelong love of reading. Just about the time 14-year-old Omar was graduating from Higbee Elementary, John contracted pneumonia and died January 31, 1908, just days short of his 41st birthday.4 Young Omar was devastated. His mother could not support the little farm they owned by herself, so the family packed up and moved north to the town of Moberly, Missouri. Here, she scratched out a living by taking in borders. Young Omar helped out by delivering the Moberly Democrat.

Omar was a loner in high school, but managed to maintain excellent grades, and to play on the highschool baseball team. After high school he took a job with the Wabash railroad and planned to work until he had enough money to attend the University of Missouri at Columbia. However, a friend suggested he apply for the West Point Academy, where he could get a college education at no cost. He took the advice, tested into West Point, and altered the course of his life.5

At West Point, he distinguished himself in athletics, lettering in both baseball and football. While some cadets struggled with the adjustments they had to make in the military academy, Omar found life at West Point suited his personality. He probably was not as successful as he could have been academically because of the time he devoted to sports. As a result, his military advancement there was slow, and he did not achieve the rank of cadet lieutenant until his final year.6

Omar graduated 44th out of 164 in his class. It was not a stellar showing, but what a class it was. The young graduates of 1915 would go on to become the leaders of World War II. This group became known as “The Class The Stars Fell On.” It included some of the great and near great of the Second World War, including Omar and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Astonishingly, every member of this class who remained in the army for his entire career, 59 in all, became a general.7

After graduation, Omar accepted a series of peacetime assignments while war grew in Europe and

civil war raged in Mexico. When, in May 1916, Mexican skirmishes boiled over into United States territory, Omar was sent to Douglas, Arizona where American troops played a waiting game. The standoff came at a bad time for Omar and his fiancée,

as Omar served as a military instructor. Omar desperately tried to win an assignment overseas during World War I, but it did not happen. Now a captain, he spent the bulk of the conflict with a unit guarding copper mines in Montana. In August 1918, he finally won his coveted assignment in Europe, but the great influenza outbreak of that year prevented his unit’s deployment. Thoroughly discouraged, he became convinced he would be a military failure.

By 1923, the war was long since over and Omar had been back at West Point teaching mathematics for over three years. Here, he had settled down into the life of a military instructor and Mary was expecting their first child (Elizabeth) in December.8

Omar’s reasons for joining Freemasonry remain unrecorded. Perhaps other cadets and officers at West Point introduced him to the Fraternity. Whatever the reason, he followed in their footsteps and on September 23, 1923, petitioned the Lodge closest to the Academy, West Point Lodge #877, F & AM.

— Lodge Records Documenting Bradley's Pin Ceremony

Mary Elizabeth Quayle, who had been planning a June wedding. Ultimately, the Mexican situation waned and Omar married Mary in Columbia, Missouri on December 28, 1916.

The young couple hopped from assignment to assignment

WB Fred Hittinger, Master of the Lodge at the time, was his first-line signer, along with L. W. Miller. On the petition, filled out in Omar’s own hand, he professed his belief in God, stated his address was West Point, New York and listed his occupation as “Officer, United States Army.” He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on November 15, 1923.9

Aside from teaching math at West Point, Omar spent his time as a student of military tactics and history. Inspired by William

“Brother Bradley stated that he was proud and honored to be associated with Masonry and that he always tried to live according to its teachings.”

MUSEUM MOMENT

Tecumseh Sherman, Omar was convinced the strategy of plodding trench warfare recently employed in the war in Europe was ineffective, and that a better way to defeat an enemy was through deep incursions into its territory. His admiration of such military giants as Sherman, coupled with the experience he gained the following year in the advanced course at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, shaped his military career and came to good use later during the invasion of France. Omar acknowledged his training at Fort Benning bolstered his confidence more than anything he had learned elsewhere, “the confidence I needed had been restored; I never suffered a faint heart again.” 10

In 1927, the army appointed Omar officer in charge of National Guard affairs, becoming the liaison officer between the U.S. Army and the Hawaiian National Guard. Many of the officers stationed there enjoyed life in the tropical paradise and even requested lengthy extensions. Not Omar — he felt the position was a dead end and within a year, requested, and received, orders to attend the Army Command and General Staff school at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He viewed this assignment as an honor and thought it would guarantee the rank of colonel prior to retirement.11

In Kansas, Omar not only furthered his military career, but also his Masonic journey. Here, he joined the Scottish Rite Armed Forces Consistory at Fort Leavenworth.12

A year later, Omar was at a crossroads. He had completed his studies at Fort Leavenworth. The army offered him the choice of two positions: The first was treasurer of the Academy at West Point. The second was a position as an instructor at the infantry school at Fort Benning. Mary much preferred the comforts of West Point. However, Omar preferred the outdoor atmosphere at Benning. He also felt it was a better career move. Later in life he wrote, “We chose Benning, the most fortunate decision of my life.”13

The decision was fortunate because at Benning he served under and gained the confidence of George C. Marshall. Here, he became a member of an informal group of “Marshall Men” and made a favorable impression on him. Omar later said no one had influenced him more, personally or professionally, than Marshall even though he admitted never feeling entirely comfortable in Marshall’s presence.14

Omar was recognized as an innovative officer for, among other things, his development of a prototypic

Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning. He steadily rose through the military ranks and held a series of increasingly important positions. By 1941, the situation in Europe was growing progressively darker. In preparation for a possible war, Omar was temporarily promoted to the position of Brigadier General, skipping the rank of full colonel and becoming the first member of that stellar West Point class of 1915 to become a general.

Omar had little time for personal interests serving as commandant at Ft. Benning. On Sundays, he would take time off to be with Mary. The winters were mild in midGeorgia and gardening, a hobby they shared, was a near yearround activity. One Sunday, he and Mary were in the garden pruning flowers when an old friend, Harold R. “Pink” Bull, joined them. “Have you heard,” asked Bull, “The Japanese have just bombed Pearl Harbor.” Omar was stunned. Within minutes he was in uniform, at headquarters and in charge. He realized there was little chance of an attack or sabotage in Georgia. Nonetheless, he immediately executed the region’s preparedness procedure, “Plan White,” and within hours his troops were guarding key facilities in the state. He realized, however, more important responsibilities were about to come to him.15

Omar was recognized as a top trainer of infantrymen. As such, he was put in charge of two of the army’s most elite units,

the 28th and 82nd Infantry Divisions. As in World War I, he became concerned he would never see combat. However, on February 12, 1943, his 50th birthday, he received the following telegram from George Marshall:

“It is only fitting that your birthday should precede by only a few days your transfer to command a corps, which comes as a long-delayed acknowledgment of your splendid record with the 28th division. Congratulations and best wishes. ” 16

It was the birthday present he had been hoping for.

A week later, the allied forces suffered one of their worst setbacks in the war. Three hundred Americans died, 3,000 were wounded and 3,000 were missing or captured at the battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisia. It was Eisenhower’s second defeat in rapid succession. Omar’s job was to be “Eisenhower’s eyes and ears” and to help him turn things around. He did just that. Under his direction, Omar’s II Corps learned “to crawl, to walk and then run.”

By mid-May, 1943, thanks in no small part to Omar Bradley, the allied forces had won the North African campaign.

Two generals under Eisenhower — Omar and George Patton — were recognized as the dominant battlefield commanders of the North African fighting and of the march into Italy. Patton was at least Omar’s equal as a battlefield strategist and tactician, but he was a human

Omar Bradley

Historical Timeline

• May 12, 1892 John Smith Bradley and Sarah Elizabeth Hubbard married.

• February 12, 1893 Omar Nelson Bradley was born.

• 1896 Sarah’s sister passed away leaving daughters, Nettie and Opal, to be cared for by John and Sarah.

• 1905 The family moved to Higbee, Missouri.

• January 1908 John Bradley contracted pneumonia and passed away.

• 1908 The family moved to Moberly, Missouri.

• May 1910 Omar graduated Moberly High School and takes a job at Wabash Railroad to save for college.

• July 4, 1911 Boarded a train for St. Louis to sit for exams to attend West Point.

• August 1, 1911 Reported to West Point.

• Fall 1914 WWI erupted in Europe.

• June 1915 Graduated from West Point.

• December 28, 1916 Omar Bradley and Mary Quayle are married.

• August 1918 Received deployment orders to Europe, but the influenza outbreak prevented deployment.

• 1923 Began teaching mathematics at West Point.

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relations catastrophe. Omar, on the other hand, understood and related to the everyday foot soldier. The troops responded to this understanding and turned their respect for Omar into victories. Considered the soldier’s general,17 they affectionately called him “Brad.”18

Because of his leadership abilities, both Marshall and Eisenhower wanted Omar, not Patton, to be the general in charge of preparing the troops for the invasion of France. First, they had to convince President

Franklin Roosevelt that Omar was the man for the job. After that uncomfortable meeting with Omar in September, 1943, Roosevelt, was indeed unconvinced. Marshall and Eisenhower stood their ground. Operation Overlord had its commander — Omar Bradley. Marshall and Eisenhower were right. On June 6, 1944, Omar led the American forces onto Omaha Beach. In a day of important decisions, only one decision was critical — whether or not to press on or pull back in the face of

the German conflagration. After careful consideration, Omar felt the troops he had trained were resolute and determined enough to gain a foothold on the beach. It didn’t come easy, but D-Day was a success. Less than a month later, the American forces were well-established in North France and Operation Overlord became Operation Cobra, also under Omar’s command.

Inspired by some of the military tactics he had learned years ago by studying generals like William T. Sherman, Omar

led his forces out of Normandy and, slowly, eventually, to a victory in Europe.

As WWII drew to a close, Omar requested a transfer to the Pacific, but the war ended before new president Harry S. Truman could comply. Instead, Truman appointed Omar Administrator of the Veterans Administration. Omar was reluctant to accept, but the dutiful general took the position and spent the next three years modernizing the bureaucracy there. From the Veterans Administration he became Army Chief of Staff and, in 1949, the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Then, on September 22, 1950, Congress appointed him General of the Army, making him one of only nine men to hold the five-star rank in US history.19 To date, he is the last to do so.

In this capacity, Omar supported President Truman when the he relieved Douglas MacArthur of his command in North Korea. MacArthur had pushed for all out war, which many thought would develop into a war with Red China. Omar cautioned against this in congressional testimony with one of his most famous quotes, “Red China is not the powerful nation seeking to dominate the world. Frankly, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, this strategy would involve us in the wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and with the wrong enemy.” 20

Having already completed the first volume of his

memoirs in 1951, Omar retired from military life in 1953. The next year, he became chairman of the Bulova Corporation’s research and development laboratories and then, five years later, he became chairman of the entire company. He held this position until retiring in 1973 at the age of 80.

In 1965, Mary died of virulent leukemia. The following year, while on business for Bulova, he met Esther Dora “Kitty” Buhler. They were married in September. Together he and Kitty established the Omar N. Bradley Library at West Point in 1974, as well as the Omar N. Bradley Foundation.

Omar Bradley was a “true and faithful brother among us.” Over the years, he remained in communication with his Lodge. On October 22, 1965, he was coroneted a 33rd Degree, Inspector General Honorary and Honorary Member of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction. In 1974, he traveled back to West Point where his Lodge presented him his 50-year award and certificate. The then-current Master of the Lodge, Robert G. Swanson, presented his certificate. WB Fred Hittinger, who had been Master of the Lodge when Omar joined, signed his petition and raised him, presented his pin. The Lodge records document the ceremony as follows:

“Bro. Bradley stated that he was proud and honored to be

• September 23, 1923 Petitioned West Point Lodge No. 877, F & AM.

• November 15, 1923 Raised to Master Mason in West Point Lodge No. 877.

• December 3, 1923 Elizabeth Bradley was born.

• 1927 Appointed officer in charge of National Guard Affairs.

• September 1928 Reported to Fort Leavenworth to attend Army and General Staff school.

• 1929 Became an instructor at Fort Benning.

• 1939 WWII began in Europe.

• February 20, 1941 Promoted to temporary (wartime) rank of Brigadier General.

• December 7, 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

• December 11, 1941 America entered WWII.

• February 15, 1942 Made temporary (wartime) Major General.

• March 1942 Took command of the 82nd Infantry Division

• June 1942 Became commander of the 28th Infantry Division.

• Early 1943 Bradley received front-line command in North Africa.

• June 2, 1943 Promoted to Brevet Lieutenant General.

• June 6, 1944 Oversaw the landing on Normandy’s beaches on D-Day.

• May 1945 By the end of the war, Bradley was a full general in command of 43 divisions and 1.3 million men.

associated with Masonry and that he always tried to live according to its teachings.

After the presentations concluded, Bro. Bradley took the time from his busy schedule to spend a few minutes reminiscing with some of the Lodge’s more senior members about their baseball playing days, after which the General had to leave to return to California where he presently resides.”

Omar received countless awards and honors in his life. On April 8, 1981 the eighty-eight year-old soldier traveled to New York to accept the prestigious Gold Medal Award from the National Institute of Social Sciences. Only minutes after accepting the award, a blood clot in his brain took his life while Kitty and dozens of guests watched helplessly.21 Omar’s body was flown back to Washington, DC on Air Force One. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, next to Mary. Kitty, who died in 2004, is buried there as well.

The most recognized of all his achievements is his victorious leadership on the beach at Normandy. However, many historians believe his support of Truman and strong advice against a fullscale war in Korea to be of even greater significance, as it was a major factor in the United States’ avoiding a direct conflict with Red China. He may have failed to impress Roosevelt when he met with him in 1941, but his accomplishments speak for themselves.

• August 15, 1945 President Harry S. Truman appointed Bradley to head the Veterans Administration.

• 1948 Returned to the Army as Chief of Staff replacing Eisenhower.

• August 11, 1949 President Truman appointed Bradley the first-ever Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

• September 22, 1950 Congress appointed him General of the Army.

• 1950 Became the first Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.

• 1953 Retired from military life.

• 1954 Went to work for Bulova Corporation.

• 1958 Served as Chairman of the Board of the Bulova Watch Company until 1973.

• 1965 Mary died of virulent leukemia.

Endnotes

1 Bradley, Omar Nelson and Blair, Clay, A General’s Life, Simon and Schuster, 1983, p. 211.

2 Elizabeth Bradley Dorsey, Bradley’s daughter, America’s 5-Star Heroes, ©1998, A&E Television Networks

3 Bradley, Omar Nelson and Blair, Clay, A General’s Life, Simon and Schuster, 1983, p. 17 - 18.

4 Sparse documentation exists on Bradley’s life in Higbee. He graduated from Higbee elementary, but the exact date was not available.

5 http://history.sandiego.edu/GEN/WW2Timeline/bradley3.html

6 http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/omarnels.htm

7 http://www.kkpnyc.com/westpoint/westpoint_history.html; http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/brochures/Bradley/Bradley.htm

8 In 1918, the Bradleys had a stillborn boy (http://www.rootsweb.com/~morandol/brad.htm)

9 Petition for Initiation, Omar Nelson Bradley, September 20, 1923, courtesy West Point Lodge #877, Highland Falls, NY. For the record, Bradley was initiated October 18, 1923 and passed November 1, 1923. His investigating committee consisted of Brothers Robert Donaldson, H. Koehler and Richard M. Levy. Petition and other referenced Lodge materials were provided through the considerable effort of RWB Irving Breitbart, Secretary, West Point Lodge #877.

10 http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/brochures/Bradley/Bradley.htm

11 Bradley, Omar Nelson and Blair, Clay, A General’s Life, Simon and Schuster, 1983, p. 59.

12 Stephenson, James H., President, Omar Bradley Memorial Class of the Scottish Rite, 1983, personal correspondence to West Point Lodge #877, February 5, 1983.

13 Bradley, Omar Nelson and Blair, Clay, A General’s Life, Simon and Schuster, 1983, p. 62.

14 Bradley, Omar Nelson, A Soldier’s Story, Henry Holt and Company, 1951, p. 20.

15 Bradley, Omar Nelson and Blair, Clay, A General’s Life, Simon and Schuster, 1983, p. 102 – 103.

16 Bradley, Omar Nelson and Blair, Clay, A General’s Life, Simon and Schuster, 1983, p. 142.

17 By some accounts, he was called “the GI General.”

18 America’s 5-Star Heroes, ©1998, A&E Television Networks

19 Brother Douglas MacArthur, General of the Army; Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower, General of the Army; Brother George C. Marshall, General of the Army; Chester Nimitz, Fleet Admiral; William “Bull” Halsey, Jr., Fleet Admiral; Brother Omar N. Bradley, General of the Army; Brother Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, General of the Air Force; William D. Leahy, Fleet Admiral; Brother Ernest J. King, Fleet Admiral; Brother John J. “Blackjack” Pershing and Brother George Washington held the rank of General of the Armies of the United States (Washington posthumously), which some consider to be higher than the five-star rank.

20 Testimony before the Senate Committees on Armed Services and Foreign Relations, May 15, 1951. Military Situation in the Far East, hearings, 82d Congress, 1st session, part 2, p. 732 (1951). Years later, President John F. Kennedy used this same quote to characterize the Vietnam War, and several, including presidential candidate John Kerry have used it to describe the Iraq War.

21 Bradley, Omar Nelson and Blair, Clay, A General’s Life, Simon and Schuster, 1983, p. 670.

• October 22, 1965 Brother Bradley was coroneted a 33rd Degree, Inspector General Honorary and Honorary Member of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction.

• September 1966 Married Esther Dora “Kitty” Buhler.

• 1974 Omar and Kitty established the Omar N. Bradley Library at West Point along with the Omar N. Bradley Foundation.

• 1974 Brother Bradley’s Lodge presented him his 50-year award and certificate.

• April 8, 1981 Omar Bradley passed away.

The Soldier Without a Smile

Omar Bradley's reserved personality followed him his entire life. Not only did it influence Franklin Roosevelt's first impression of him, but others also found him to be withdrawn. He wrote of being a loner in high school and mentioned in his autobiography that, even though he had Eisenhower's confidence, he knew Ike thought he had a dull personality. While the makeup of a person's personality is a complex issue, Omar wrote of connected incidents in his life, which even he thought had a bearing on how people perceived him.

Always the athlete, Omar was an excellent ice skater and enjoyed skating on the lake in Forest Park in Moberly. Late one night in 1909, seventeen-year-old Omar was skating in relative darkness. The limited visibility turned out to be catastrophic. Omar collided with another skater whose head slammed directly into Omar's face at high speed. The accident was, in Bradley's words, "bone smashing." It knocked virtually every one of his teeth loose, caused severe, lifelong gum damage, and turned Omar's teeth into a jumbled mess. Omar's family had no money for a dentist. As a result, he lived with the aftermath of the injury for the remainder of his life, suffering numerous abscesses and gum infections.

During the year he spent at Fort Leavenworth, the problems with his mouth became particularly severe. With all due respect to the armed forces, the army of that day was not exactly known for its world-class dental care. The army promptly pulled every one of Omar's teeth and provided him with a set of dentures, which must certainly have been a step or two better than Brother George Washington's famous but fictional wooden teeth.

As a result of the skating injury and becoming toothless at the young age of 35, Omar rarely smiled. About the best he could manage was a tight, pursedlip grin, a fact, which is borne out in photographs throughout his life. The story of Omar Bradley's life reveals a serious, career-driven, no-nonsense soldier and people certainly perceived him as such. However, extreme perceptions that he was withdrawn and diffident may be due to his skating accident as a youth.

There's no Place Like Home

Creating-A-Partnership continues to grow – thanks to you!

The strength of a community can be felt when we all pull together to uplift and support each other. Whether that be in monetary donations or the gift of our time and talents, it all makes for a better place for us to call home. The Creating-A-Partnership Program (CAP) has been a significant win for many communities, and Lodges and Chapters, who continue to make a strong impact in their communities. We encourage you to read about Lodges and Chapters that have been creative and impactful in their CAP endeavors and be inspired to start a conversation on how your Lodge or Chapter can make a difference. Last fiscal year (FY2122), 34,662 children were helped through the program. 113 Lodges and Chapters raised over $777,500 for their communities. This is a milestone to be both celebrated and inspiring for us all to become involved in doing our part. It is not enough for communities to survive, it is necessary for them to thrive for generations to come and for the children of today to get the best start they can. Due to the overwhelming response by the Lodges and Chapters, we are excited to see the continuation of the current doubling match through June 30, 2023. That means for every $1 raised, $3 can be put back into children in your community.

Help us continue the impact being made for children in your community.

SHAWNEE LODGE NO. 653

“Thank you so much for your generous gift to the Salvation Army for Benton County, Missouri kids’ meals. It’s reassuring to know that we have friends like you who are willing to help feed our kids in need.”

WARRENTON LODGE NO. 609

“Dear wonderful people, thank you so much for your donation to Operation Backpack through the WISE Foundation. Your generosity is amazing!”

RIVER VIEW CHAPTER #315

“Thank you very much for your donation to the Gasconade County R-1 School District to help purchase school supplies and other beginning of the school year needs. We appreciate your local support of the Hermann community.”

LATHROP LODGE NO. 506

“On behalf of the Lathrop, Missouri backpack program, I want to sincerely thank you for your very generous donation. Lots of young children will benefit from your generosity.”

SOLOMON LODGE NO. 271

“On behalf of the Green County Sheriff’s Office, I want to thank you for your very generous donation to the DARE Program. This program is so important to the youth in this community to help educate them on making good choices. We also appreciate your continued support of law enforcement in Green County.”

PLATTSBURG LODGE NO. 113

“Thank you for your donation. It was such a generous donation that we will be able to meet more needs than we ever imagined.”

HOW TO APPLY

To apply or find out more, email Tisha Woodard at twoodard@mohome.org or visit mohome.org

Scan here for more information.

The Power of the Collective

By Fran Patrick

From the first days of schoolroom math, we are shown that a positive number can be obtained by addition and/ or multiplication. Take yourself back to that time in the classroom, and remember the proud feeling, or maybe relief you felt, as you raised your hand with the correct answer. So, let’s ask the question — how can we collectively support our members in need?

RWB Gary Hinderks has a very clear answer as to why the PennyA-Day Program (PAD) can be an impactful mission in which the membership can participate.

Upon becoming Secretary for his Lodge in 1977 (a mere 4 years after the inception of the Penny-ADay Program), he received an old attaché case.

“If you picked it up the wrong way in haste, the whole thing opened, and all the contents were suddenly on the floor,” says Gary.” On one of those occasions, I discovered a narrow strip of paper with little round stickers that said ‘Penny-A-Day.’ Masonry teaches by symbols, and, to me, the ‘Penny-A-Day’ is an important symbol constantly reminding us in the most tender manner the importance of charity.”

Established in 1974, The PennyA-Day Program was created when Lodges were asked to “pool their pennies” to help their members in need. In 2016, Chapters also began utilizing the program to offer support to the Masonic Home. Nearly 50 years in, the

support is still there. While the value of a penny is no longer the same, the value in helping is. With the expansion of the program to include Dime-A-Day and DollarA-Day levels, there is an increased opportunity to provide additional mission support along with a greater recognition for your contribution.

At an individual level, contributions will count toward Truman Club memberships beginning at $100 per year. These members are invited to the annual Truman Club dinner, as well as regional events around the state.

At the Lodge and Chapter level, all donations made as a PennyA-Day, Dime-A-Day, or DollarA-Day will be included In the Lodge or Chapter’s Vincil Society contribution as well.

Currently, 47% of Lodges and Chapters participate in the program. This number reflects the Masonic mission to support its members, but the question still remains for us to raise our hands and answer: Can we increase this number? The answer is a simple math equation ...

DOLLA

R-A-DAY

Encourage your Brothers and Sisters to contribute to the Penny-A-Day Program through your Lodge or Chapter. This program is one way to support a Missouri Mason, Eastern Star member, Masonic widow, or veteran this year.

And, it is the power of the collective that supports the mission of the Masonic Home of Missouri to make an impact, not only today, but for future generations.

HOW TO APPLY

Secretaries: To submit PAD contributions, please use the Lodge PAD Remittance and mail by August 31st of each year.

To order more stickers, or if you have questions about the PAD Program, please contact Jackie Walters, Sr. Engagement & Major Gifts Officer, at 800-434-9804.

Individuals: To receive individual credit for your PAD contribution, submit directly to the Masonic Home via mail or online, indicating “PennyA-Day” in the comments.

To receive individual credit for your PAD contribution, submit directly to the Masonic Home via mail or online indicating PAD (your Lodge will get credit, too) or to your Secretary along with your dues. Ask that your Secretary let us know of your gift.

visit

website below.

New Truman Club Society Levels

The Masonic Home of Missouri honors many notable Missourians who were connected to the Masonic Fraternity. The Masonic Home recently updated its Truman Club Societies, changing one of them to honor Jacob Lambert and adding two additional levels honoring Gussie Grenner and Noah Givan. While these new names might not be as familiar as some of the others, they are all individuals that demonstrated a passion for the Masonic Home and its mission.

GRENNER

In 1932, with the passing of Gussie Grenner, the Masonic Home Board reported at Annual Communication the single largest gift the Masonic Home had received to date - $253,675 from her husband, Henry C. Grenner, a St. Louis Mason. They noted that Gussie’s estate was even larger, with the Masonic Home named the sole beneficiary of the income from the perpetual trust she established.

Gussie lived a life of generosity, showing her giving spirit to those around her. Her will was her final

testament to that mindset, showering family, friends, store clerks, and numerous charities with her love one last time.

Gussie’s gift was set in motion upon her passing during the height of the Great Depression. The Masonic Home was facing overwhelming need, facility inadequacy, and uncertainty in its ability to keep and pay for staffing. Bro. Grenner’s gift was set aside, as instructed, as an Endowment. Masonic Home Boards over the next 90 years would ensure these funds were protected and allowed to grow to ensure the longevity of the Masonic Home. Annual distributions from Gussie’s trust totaled approximately $8,760 in the early years. Last fiscal year, the annual distribution was nearly $88,000.

During a time in history where need was immediate, Gussie met that need, but did so with intent to leave a lasting gift for the future. Each generation will face its own struggles: financial, medical, or wars. To provide a final gift that helps during hardships and also transcends to future generations is inspiring.

LAMPERT

Jacob Lampert’s story is one of generosity and love. He loved his family, the fraternity, and the Masonic Home. A love so strong that it fostered generational giving to the Masonic Home, which cumulatively left an incredible impact on the Masonic Home.

In 1906, Jacob Lampert was appointed Junior Grand Steward. In the Summer of 1909, an anonymous letter was sent to various lodges in the state. It was a campaign to stop his advancement in the line because he was Jewish. The response of the Grand Master and the Committee on Jurisprudence was swift and stern in its condemnation of that campaign. Lampert was elected Grand Master, serving from 1912 to 1913. It was said that he was one of the most popular Grand Masters to occupy the office.

PGM Lampert served on the Masonic Home Board starting in 1916 through his death in 1921. He remembered the Masonic Home in his will, gifting $25,000. Roughly four years after his death,

his sister, Rosa Graff, contacted the Masonic Home to build a swimming pool at the Masonic Home in his memory.

Rosa Graff’s daughter, Esther Graff Levy, moved to Los Angeles in 1936. She established a will in which her son, named in memory of her uncle, could live in the Beverly Hills home for as long as he wanted. Upon termination, Esther arranged that 50 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the home would go to the Masonic Home to establish the Jacob Lampert and Rosa Graff Endowment Fund. The Masonic Home would eventually receive more than $2 million from the estate.

GIVEN

Noah Givan was the Masonic Home’s first Board President, serving consecutively from 1886 until his passing in 1907. His passionate support, extraordinary leadership, vision, dedication, and belief in purpose transformed an idea to create a Masonic Home into a reality that would continue to serve the membership for more than a century.

In addition to his leadership of the Masonic Home, he gave his time and talents freely to all his Masonic endeavors. From 18871888, he served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, A.F. and A.M. He served as Most Excellent Grand High Priest in 1878. Givan was Worthy Grand Patron of the Missouri Order of the Eastern Star from 1890-1891.

As Missouri began to approach the centennial anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase, it was decided to try to bring the World’s Fair to the state. PGM Givan was President of the association to build the Temple of Fraternity at the Fair. Once the fair opened, the estimated average daily attendance of members of the fraternal bodies was around 20,000.

It was said of Givan, “His dominant trait of character was love — love for his family, for his church, and for his fellow man, and this dominant trait he manifested in no uncertain manner by the use he made of his time, talent, and purse.”

— Harry S. Truman

Visit mohome.org/support/the-truman-club to learn more, or join The Truman Club. For questions, contact Jackie Walters, Sr. Engagement & Major Gifts Officer, at jwalters@mohome.org or 800.434.9804.

"The Masonic Home of Missouri, in my opinion, is reason enough for the existence of the Masonic Fraternity."

Beautiful A Legacy

The Grenners: Leaving a mark nearly a century later.

By Jodi Blake

Legacy. The word conjures thoughts of historical figures who gave their lives to change ours, or of people from our own past that live on in our hearts because of what they did or how they lived. At some point in your adult life, you begin to think about leaving your own legacy. What will that be? How will you be remembered? How do you want to be remembered? And, most importantly, how will you make that happen?

During my school years, I was given the exercise to write my own eulogy. What an interesting thing to think about at such a young age. I would love to see that document now; how did I want people to remember me, and have I lived in a way so far to make that a reality?

As an adult, it may be time to revisit those thoughts and put them on paper. I would recommend everyone do this. How would you answer questions about remembrance? About you own legacy? What are you doing to make that a reality?

You control your legacy. Deciding what that means to you is the first step, and it doesn’t matter your age — you are never too old or too young to decide how you want people to remember you and to take action to make that happen.

The first gas station in the United States, opened by the Automobile Gasoline Company in St. Louis, founded by Henry Grenner and Clem Laessig.

Begin by creating a list of words that you want people to use to describe you. Take a good look at those words. Are you living those words, if not, why not start today? What actions can you take now? Do you want to be remembered as friendly, but don’t have the time to chat with your neighbors — make the time. Do you want to be remembered as compassionate, caring or generous – donate your time, talent or treasure to those in need.

If generous is on your list of who you are or who you want to be, there are countless ways to share with others in need. Some financial options include direct cash or non-cash donations to a charity, gifts of appreciated assets (e.g., stocks), matched gifts (e.g., through your employer), and charitable trusts. Depending on the type of charitable trust, the trust can provide retirement income to you, income to an individual or entity you choose, and a charitable distribution for a cause that is important to you. Each comes with a partial charitable deduction for you as the donor. Charitable trusts can provide one-time gifts, income over the life of the trust, or income in perpetuity for the charity. All trust options provide a way to leave a legacy of generosity.

At the Masonic Home, no conversation about legacy, generosity, or charitable trusts can take place without remembering Henry C. and Gussie Seabury Grenner, who included the Masonic Home of Missouri in their wills in 1918 and 1922.

The decisions made by Henry and Gussie over 100 years ago are beautiful examples of foresight and generosity.

Gussie L. Seabury married Henry Clay Grenner in New York in 1875. Henry began his career in printing and publishing, but after moving to the oil regions of Pennsylvania during the height of the region’s success, he entered the oil industry.

The Grenner’s moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1886 “for the purpose of developing the independent oil trade throughout the west and southwest” according to Henry’s biography in The Book of Missourians, published in 1906. There he built an International Oil Works branch. In 1905 Henry, along with Clem Laessig, formed the Automobile Gasoline Company in St. Louis and opened what is generally agreed to be the first gas station in the United States.

The Grenner’s were well-known and highly respected members of the St. Louis community. Henry was a member of Tuscan Lodge No. 360. The Grenner’s had no children. Henry amassed his wealth through his oil and other endeavors. Gussie possessed “a large amount of property apart and independent of her husband’s estate” according to court documents.

Henry died unexpectedly in the lobby of the Hamilton Hotel, where the couple resided, while attending a meeting of the Republican Party according to an October 24, 1922, report in the St. Louis Dispatch. Henry’s will directed that his estate be held in a trust for Gussie, passing to the Masonic Home of Missouri upon her death.

aside in a perpetual trust for the benefit of the Masonic Home of Missouri.

Upon Gussie’s passing and the will made public, newspapers all over North America, from Palmyra, Missouri, to Honolulu, Hawaii, covered the story of her gifts to the clerks. Over the years, Gussie had told her favorite store clerks that she would remember them in her will. They reported that they smiled at the pleasantries, but never expected anything. Gussie kept her word, and each store clerk was surprised when notified of the gift in the amount of $200 each, with one clerk receiving $500.

When Gussie passed, the $253,675 that was intended for the Masonic Home from the Henry C. Grenner Trust was distributed to the Masonic Home and set up as “The Henry C. Grenner Endowment Fund” with instructions that the Masonic Home could only use the income earned. In addition to Henry’s gift, Gussie also included the Masonic Home in her will. She created a perpetual trust to be held by St. Louis Union Trust Company, with the entire net income to be paid to the Masonic Home in perpetuity.

The St. Louis Dispatch article mentioning the clerks Gussie left gifts for in her will.

Gussie would live until March 29, 1932. Through her will, she provided bequests for various family members and friends, 10 charitable organizations and 23 clerks who assisted her over the years at her favorite stores in St. Louis, with the remainder of the funds being set

Both trusts had the same idea — preservation and growth of the corpus of the trust and income to the charity. Henry’s was given directly to the Masonic Home, but with restrictions. Gussie’s was set up through a third party, with restrictions. Both trusts provided asset growth and perpetual income for the Masonic Home to manage its operating and program expenses. The original value of Gussie’s trust in 1932 was over $377,000. As of December 2022, the Masonic Home has received nearly $2.2 million in distributions from Gussie’s trust.

The decisions made by Henry and Gussie over 100 years ago are beautiful examples of foresight and

generosity. Their legacy has served tens of thousands of people for nearly a century, from the residents of the Masonic Home on Delmar in St. Louis, Missouri, to the residents of the Masonic Home’s Residential Living Facility in Kansas City, Missouri, to today’s Outreach clients, children and veterans all across the State of Missouri. Last fiscal year, the nearly $88,000 in distributions received from Gussie’s Trust provided the assistance for

the first 5,000 children helped during the year.

Every month we receive a distribution from Gussie’s trust. And, every month, 90 years after her passing, I think of her, the amazing woman she must have been and the legacy that she has left. I wonder, 90 years after I leave this earth, will I have made any contribution to it worth remembering.

Life is busy and passes by much more quickly than we would like.

Make the time today to ensure that you are remembered as the person you want to be.

Call Jackie Walters, Sr. Engagement & Major Gifts Officer, to see how you can leave a legacy of impact for the clients of the Masonic Home. The Masonic Home does not provide tax or legal advice. Consult a qualified estate planning attorney and tax accountant to discuss gift structures that are right for you.

The Hamilton Hotel where Henry and Gussie lived, and where Henry unexpectedly passed away.

Banking Strategies to Consider for Legacy Planning

By Kyle Reynolds CFP®, CIMA®, Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Manager

You’ve said it yourself. "Timing is everything.”

And where legacy planning is concerned, there’s no better time than now to plan for your future.

It’s so easy to put off the process — no one likes to think about their mortality, let alone talk about the possibility of incapacitation or how and when they’ll die. However, regardless of how old you are or how much wealth you’ve accumulated, you probably want

to make sure the assets you leave behind after you’re gone will continue to support your loved ones and the important causes in your life.

But making sure your legacy passes on according to your wishes doesn’t happen without some effort on your part — and it might require the assistance of qualified financial, tax, and legal advisors along the way.

Whether you’re in the planning stages or are reviewing an existing estate plan, you may want to consider the following banking tips:

MAKE THESE BANKING MOVES PART OF YOUR STRATEGY

1. Make sure you have structured your accounts for ease of day-to-day processing. You can choose typical account titling, whether it be in one person’s name, jointly titled with multiple account owners, or titled in the name of a trust.

2. Keep in mind banking accounts can have a payable on death (POD) designation to a beneficiary of your choosing. This is an especially important consideration if your account is titled in an individual name. By naming beneficiaries to your various accounts, those assets will, in most cases, transfer to the named beneficiaries without going through probate.

This is a good thing for several reasons:

• Probate is a public process, thus allowing outside parties to potentially gain information on the nature of your assets or the value of your estate.

• The probate process comes with a cost - it can be significant, depending on the total value of the assets in your estate.

• The probate process can be long and cumbersome.

3. Titling multiple accounts differently is common. Some individuals who establish revocable trusts decide to title one account in their personal name and another account in the name of their revocable trust. They do this because they receive distributions such as stock dividends, checks made payable to the trust, etc., and financial institutions want the items presented to match the titling of their accounts.

4. If you make changes to your estate plan or adjustments to your trust documents, be sure the current titling on your bank accounts matches the names set forth in the most current documents you have in place.

NEXT STEPS

During legacy planning, you can encounter many uncertainties associated with the decision-making process. Discussing your goals with your private banker and trust company is a great first step in ensuring your estate is protected and your legacy is passed on according to your wishes.

The opinions and other information in the commentary are provided as of May 27, 2022. This summary is intended to provide general information only, and may be of value to the reader and audience. This material is not a recommendation of any particular investment or insurance strategy, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or investment professional. While Commerce may provide information or express opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are subject to change, are not offered as professional tax, insurance or legal advice, and may not be relied on as such Data contained herein from thirdparty providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Commerce Trust Company is a division of Commerce Bank.

Kyle Reynolds “Protecting your assets is always a top priority of any fiduciary. It is never too early to put in place a plan with the desired structure — but it can be too late to make changes if an individual passes away or is deemed incapacitated.”

Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital

The staff at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, is committed to excellent patient care, education, and research. Truman VA offers a full range of inpatient and outpatient health services to veterans from 43

counties in Missouri, as well as Pike County, Illinois. Each year, approximately 40,000 veterans access services from Truman VA providers who specialize in primary care, women’s health, medical and surgical specialty care, behavioral health, physical and

occupational therapy, pharmacy, and more. In addition to the main hospital in Columbia, Truman VA also offers health services to veterans who live in rural areas. The medical center’s eight community-based outpatient clinics are located in Camdenton,

Jefferson City, Kirksville, Marshfield, Mexico, St. James, Sedalia, and Waynesville.

Truman VA was the first veteran’s hospital in the country to collaborate with the National Center for Patient Safety as part of the “Hospital of the Future Project” and continues to lead the way to an improved patient and employee experience by working toward becoming a high reliability organization (HRO).

“Our goal when we committed to becoming an HRO was to create a shared philosophy that led to exceptional, highly reliable care,” said Lana Zerrer, MD, Chief of Staff and Interim Director of Truman VA. “Effective HROs continuously evaluate, design, and implement procedures that eliminate emerging threats through awareness. Issues almost never are identical. That’s why we felt it was so important to create an environment of high reliability, to enable us to anticipate concerns and mitigate consequences before they occur.”

The three main initiatives Truman VA has focused on are leadership engagement, widespread staff participation, and implementation of “Just Culture” principles.

“To be a true HRO, the strategies you develop to prevent an issue from occurring must be governed by Just Culture values,” Lana said. “The key to practicing Just Culture is to create an environment where staff understand they should continuously analyze and report issues without fear of retaliation. That doesn’t mean our culture is blame-free. It means we work to balance the cause of each issue with an appropriate response that eliminates recurrence.”

AGENCY SPOTLIGHT

Some examples of high reliability processes initiated by Truman VA include physician-led daily briefings, discussions that incorporate the voice of frontline staff, leadership’s commitment to clinical team training, and dedicated staff huddles. Additionally, simulation-based risk assessments are made prior to the activation of new patient care services.

Another key component of innovation and reliability is modernization. Truman VA is committed to modernizing care for Veterans — a concept of continual improvement to infrastructure, equipment, and services.

“We are building high reliability into everything we do to include performance plans, job announcements, policies, construction projects, and standardized initiatives,” Lana said. “It’s now a common thread throughout all the services and

activities we perform. As part of this process, we continuously listen to our veterans for opportunities to better meet their needs and expectations.”    Truman VA’s initiatives are paying off. From the moment a Veteran enrolls in VA health care, satisfaction is a priority. However, compliments directly from the veterans themselves offer real-world feedback. A few recent examples include:

“This VA has saved my life, my brothers, and my father-in-law’s. It has saved our financial lives too and provided peace of mind. This VA is how the nation has repaid my service in Vietnam. I can’t thank the taxpayers enough. It is quality people like those who work so very hard at this VA that make it happen,” says one veteran.

Another veteran shares, “I choose to be seen at the VA in Columbia, MO. I have options but the care has been top notch. More importantly, the

attitude of the staff is amazing. There is something special about what is being done for our vets and I make a point to tell a staff member that very thing, every visit.”

“I have always been pleased with the care I’ve received at HSTVA. Something that has always impressed me is how many employees, nurses, technicians, doctors everyone is willing to assist you regardless of your need. An example is when you’re lost, someone not only tells you where you need to go, they take you,” another veteran explains.

In addition to Veteran care, employee satisfaction is an important measure of Truman VA’s success on its journey to high reliability. The medical center was ranked No. 1 in the nation for employee satisfaction for three consecutive years (2017, 2018 and 2019) through VA’s All Employee Survey.

“Our team is committed not only to the Veterans we serve, but also to each other. It’s in an environment of trust and self-worth that we have the greatest ability to provide excellent, meaningful care for our nation’s heroes.”

— Lana Zerrer, MD Chief of Staff and Interim Director of Truman VA

OF EVERY DOLLAR RAISED GOES TOWARD DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

67%

Americans without an estate plan. (caring.com)

9%

Of 2021 total charitable giving was made by bequests. (Giving USA 2022 Report)

$62 MILLION

Value of coins thrown away or lost in the US in 2016. (cbsnews.com)

100% 41%

5,000

Children assisted through the Gussie Grenner Trust distributions. (FY2022)

Of direct assistance provided through individual giving. (FY2022)

$45,000

Maximum funding for communities per Lodge or Chapter.

Of direct assistance provided through bequests. (FY2022)

Penny-A-Day

66%

Of Lodges participate.

Of Chapters participate.

34,662

Children helped statewide through CAP. (FY2022) 61%

Increase in Lodge participation in CAP. (FY2022 vs. FY2021) 182%

Increase in Chapter participation in CAP. (FY2022 vs. FY2021)

42%

Decrease in Lodge donations. (FY2022 vs. FY2021)

60%

Increase in Chapter donations. (FY2022 vs. FY2021)

4

Lodges and Chapters that provided the maximum funding to children in their communities. (FY2022)

Entities funded to help children. (FY2022) 37

Ways Lodges and Chapters helped children last year.

CREATING-A-PARTNERSHIP

RWB David Powell

During your term as a board member, what do you feel was the most rewarding experience? Firstly, the appointment to the board was in itself a humbling experience. Once part of the board, and serving on the Outreach and Development committees, I was amazed at the extent that the Home serves our members. The Outreach committee definitely served as a reminder, of the depth of the help given to our fellow Masonic Brothers, their widows, children, and Sisters of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Now that your term has ended, how do you plan to stay connected and involved with the Masonic Home? Supporting the Masonic Home and the great charitable work that they do is one of the guiding principles in my life. I plan to continue my support in the role of an Ambassador to continue the work of the Home in my local area and community.

Anything Else? To the Masonic Fraternity: Support the Masonic Home as much as you are able, for you never know the day that help may serve your need.

MWB Ty Treutelaar

What advice would you give a new board member? The expanse of the programs is far more advanced than you might think. Go to all the committee meetings, learn how the machine works. The Masonic Home works at a very high standard of excellence. Be present and active in your support of the Masonic Home. It is a dynamic institution, making decisions to protect the Home for future generation’s needs.

Why is supporting the Masonic Home important to you? Masonry has always been part of my life. From my early years, I was guided by Masonic traditions by my grandfather and uncles on the virtues of faith, hope and charity. Supporting the Masonic Home is supporting an organization that fulfills these tenants as a Master Mason and completes our obligation to our fellow Brothers and Sisters.

Now that your term has ended, how do you plan to stay connected and involved with the Masonic Home? Being an Ambassador in all my travels and in all my actions. We are here to honor the past, serve the present, and build the future.

RWB Mike Voyles

If you could express one thing to the Masonic Fraternity about the Masonic Home what would it be? There is so much more to the Masonic Home than providing assistance to cover expenses for those in need. The staff provide a sense of stability and is a source of hope for those who are at a low point in their lives. The staff really care about the clients, and they also care about the mission and the welfare of the Fraternity.

What Outreach Program was your personal favorite and why?

Overall, being a member of the Masonic Home Board gave a broader understanding of what being a Mason really meant. And, seeing the Masonic Family Cares Program in action, with the partnership of the Home assuming the role of connecting Lodges and Chapters with those in need. It shows the meaning of the word partnership. For it to be effective, the membership has to know each other and be aware when someone needs a little help. I believe this truly builds a stronger camaraderie among the group who are working on the project.

Anything Else? Supporting the Masonic Home allows me to practice the principles of Freemasonry in my daily life. Give it everything you can, and as members we can engage fully in every activity of the Home to provide support and ensure help is there when it is needed.