1 alexaNdria, VirgiNia · Volume 20 · Number 1 · 2014 of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial ™ Celebrating Washington’s 282 nd Birthday O n February 22, a record number of attendees gathered at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial to celebrate the birthday of American history’s most esteemed Freemason. The festivities began on the evening prior, when Alexandria-Wash- ington Lodge N o - 22 held a special communication in honor of their Charter Master. This meeting was made especially memorable by the large number of visitors who came from great distances, including a delegation of over 40 Masons and family members from the Grand Lodge of Alaska. Continuing a longstanding tradition, Alexandria-Washington Lodge and Memorial Association officers and staff participated in the annual wreath-laying ceremony on the morning of the 22 nd at Washington’s tomb at Mount Vernon. The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association’s wreath was laid by Memorial Association Pres- ident Donald G. Hicks, Jr. This solemn act of remembrance demonstrates the enduring respect that Masons everywhere feel for the Father of our Country. In the early aſternoon, activities began at the Memorial itself, with the annual George Washington Symposium convening in the Theater. Our three guest scholars offered fasci- nating lectures on Washington’s life and legacy. (See page 3 for more information.) Soon aſter, an unprecedented number of guests gathered at the Memorial for our Gala in honor of Washington’s Birthday. The first event was a special reception for members of the George Washington Memorial Society and their guests, held in the George Washing- ton Museum on the fourth floor (learn about the Society on p. 9). | CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 PresideNt’s message Rich Heritage, Lasting Legacy by Donald G. Hicks, Jr. O n February 22, Masons and guests came from around the country and even overseas to gather at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in celebration of Washington’s Birthday. This event, re-instituted several years ago, is one of the finest events of the Masonic year. As President of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association, it pleases me to note that this year was the larg- est so far in terms of attendance, thanks in large part to the large del- egation of Alaskan brethren who, with many of their ladies, traveled to our nation’s capital region to honor the life of Brother George Washington, America’s foremost Freemason. Special thanks go to our past Board of Directors mem- ber, John R. “Bo” Cline and Grand Master Dave Worel, for inspiring so many to make the journey. You can read more details about our most recent observance of Washington’s Birthday in this issue of LIGHT , and I want to encourage each of you to strongly consider attending the 2015 celebration. It is truly an outstanding and mem- The rising sun greets the Memorial at dawn on George Washington’s Birthday, February 22, 2014. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 LIGHT
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Volume20 · Number1, 2014 1
alexaNdria,VirgiNia· Volume20· Number1· 2014
of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial
inhonorofWashington’sBirthday.ThefirsteventwasaspecialreceptionformembersoftheGeorgeWashingtonMemorialSocietyandtheirguests,heldintheGeorgeWashing-tonMuseumonthefourthfloor(learnabouttheSocietyonp.9). | CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
PresideNt’smessageRich Heritage, Lasting Legacyby Donald G. Hicks, Jr.
ourmostrecentobservanceofWashington’s Birthday in this issue ofLIGHT,andIwanttoencourageeachofyoutostronglyconsiderattendingthe2015celebration.Itistrulyanoutstandingandmem-
The rising sun greets the Memorial at dawn on George Washington’s Birthday, February 22, 2014. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
theWashingtonMetropolitanPhilharmonicAssociation,directedbyUlyssesS.James.ThePhilharmonicperformedanumberofmagnificentworks,includingtheworldpre-miereofanoriginalcompositionbytrumpeterStanleyCurtis,theoverturetoMozart’sMasonicopera,The Magic Flute (seepage10),andBrotherJohnPhilipSousa’spatrioticfavorite,“StarsandStripesForever.”Then,inGrandMasonicHall,attendeesgatheredfortheformalGalaBanquet.TheGeorgeWashingtonMemorialAwardwaspresentedtoscholarEdwardG. Lengel,authorofGeneral George Washington: A Military Life,andThis Glorious Struggle: George Washington’s Revolutionary War Letters.Dr.Lengelgaveanaddress
At the George Washington Memorial Society reception, President Donald G. Hicks, Jr. (left) and his wife, Nancy (right), presented James Manninen (center) with a certificate declaring that a tree was dedicated to him on the Memorial’s grounds.
President Donald G. Hicks, Jr. presents the George Washington Memorial Award to Dr. Edward G. Lengel .
Volume20 · Number1, 2014 3
messagefromalexaNdriaThe Father of Our Country, the Father of Freedom
maintainingthevisionandmissionoftheMemorialAssocia-tion,whichis:To inspire humanity through education to emulate and promote the virtues, character and vision of George Washington the Man, the Mason and Father of our Country.TheMemorialwasconceived,financedandconstructed
asajointprojectbyalltheFreemasonsoftheUnitedStates.TheCharterofTheGeorgeWashingtonMasonicNationalMemorialAssociationboldlystatesitspurpose,“To erect and maintain . . . a suitable Memorial Temple to George Washington, the Mason; which express in durability and beauty the undying esteem of the Freemasons of the United States for him in whose memory it shall stand throughout the coming years.”Itstands,withoutquestion,asoneofthemostimpressiveaccomplishmentsofourFraternity.TheGeorgeWashingtonMasonicNationalMemorial
hadaccomplishedappliedbeyondourborders,benefitingallofhumanity.Here,hewasknownasthe“The Father of our Coun-try.”BrotherLafayette,theFrenchgeneralwhofoughtwithWashingtonduringtheRevolution,calledhim“the Father of Freedom,”andsohewaswidelyknowninEurope.Hiscourageandhismoralconvictionresultedinthecre-
sacrificeofBrotherWashingtonandourFoundingFathers.ItisfittingandproperthattheFreemasonsoftheUnitedStateserectedaNationalMasonicMemorialtothisincredibleManandMason.Symbolically,BrotherWashingtonhasbeenoftencomparedtothePerfectAshlar,asthetrueexemplarofthejust,honorable,honest,forthrightmanthatallMasonsshouldaspiretobe.ThisMemorialtoGeorgeWashingtoniscertainlyafittingtributetothemanwhosaid.“A good moral character is the first essential in a man. It is, therefore, highly important to endeavor not only to be learned but to be virtuous.”AttheGeorgeWashingtonMasonicNationalMemorial,
Then,Dr.EdwardG.Lengel,theEditor-In-ChiefofThe Papers of George WashingtonattheUniversityofVirginia,offeredhisperspectiveon“UnderstandingGeorgeWashingtonintheTwenty-FirstCentury.”InrecognitionofhiscontributionstoourunderstandingofBrotherWashington,Dr.LengelwaspresentedwiththeGeorgeWashingtonMemorialAwardattheWashing-ton’sBirthdayGalalaterthatevening.TheGeorgeWashingtonSymposiumisheldannuallyon
twenty-fourdaysbeforetheMemo-rialAssociation’sannualmeetingof1918:onFebruary3,MostWor-shipfulBrotherShryockdiedofpneumoniaathisBaltimorehome.HehadservedasGrandMasterofMarylandforover30years,wasanesteemedbusinessandcivicleader.[See the detailed features on Brother Shryock in LIGHT, Vol. 18, No. 2 & Vol. 19, No. 1.—Ed.] In three short weeks,theMemorialAssocia-tionwouldneedtoelectaworthysuccessor.FirstVicePresidentJamesJohnson(1962–1944),PastGrand
A New LeaderBytheopeningoftheeighthannualmeetingoftheAssociation,thechoicehadbeenmade.ActingPresidentJohnsonnominatedaPastGrandMasterofPennsylvania,RightWorshipfulBrother
A Modern AgendaWatres’firstactionwastosuspendallfundraisingeffortsforthenexttwelvemonths.ThiswouldgivehimtimetoadjusthislifeandassesstheAssociation.ItwouldalsoencourageindividualMasonstoperformnationalservice.Second,herecommendedorganizingthefiftyGrandLodges
A Renewed EnergyOnFebruary21,1919,theAssociationagainassembledintheAlexandria-WashingtonNo-22lodgeroom.Whereinthepreviousyeartherehadbeenwaranduncertainty,nowtherewaspeaceandconfidence.Inhisaddress,PresidentWatresoutlinedhisneworgani-
I amafirmbelieverinDivineProvidence.Ibelieveweareinparticularplacesatparticulartimesforreasonsbeyondourimmediatecomprehension.IthoughtIwasgoingtoPuertoRicotothanktheBrethrenfortheirsupportoftheMemorial.InowbelieveIwastheretoseefirsthandwhatPgmandPastBoardofDirectorsMemberRafaelAcostaRosarioandtheBrethrenofPuertoRicoaredoingforthechildrenofPuertoRicoandindeedtheCaribbean.Fourtimeseachyear,afreeclinicisheldattheSanJuanVet-
New Century HarveyLeeBell* VA byWilliamA.SimmsJanetL.Buchholz WYRonald&EuniceCharles CARaymondW.Doyscher MIRobertE.Gresham,Jr. NCFrankL.Hale WAHighlandsLodgeNo-86 COHighlandsMasonicTempleAssoc COTimothyJ.&JoanR.Jellison WVFrancesRyanJohnson** VA byWilliamsA.SimmsEvelynBellRyan* VA byWilliamA.SimmsLeslieLisleRyan* VA byWilliamA.SimmsPatriciaRyanSimms** VA byWilliamA.SimmsUnitedAmericanLodgeNo-819GermanyRudolphF.Walter* NJ byFrankJ.WagnerWashingtonAssociationof NJ MasonsofNewJersey
Tree Dedications LouisH.&LenaF.Davenport** VA bytheirFamilyRosemaryMaeEyer** OH byShawnE.EyerWilson“Grump”Harvey** OR byParkroseLodgeNo-179 WaverlyLodgeNo-174 CornerstoneLodgeNo-157DonaldP.Jackson**CA byJoanJacksonRobertA.&MarthaL.Lavity* AZ bytheMavity/ReadFamilyJamesA.Manninen** MA by Donald &NancyHicksPasadenaLodgeNo-272 CALouiseGatesSeghers** VA byGeorgeD.SeghersRalphW.Smith,Jr.* VA byHenryLodgeNo-57SouthPasadenaLodgeNo-290 CAD.MargaretStudley* CA bytheD.MargaretStudley Foundation CharlesL.VanOver** VA bytheAssociation ofConsultingForestersWisdomLodgeNo-202 CARobertE.Mansell** VA Lorraine & Marinn Mansell TheMen,WomenandFamilies VAoftheUnitedStatesArmedForces** bytheMilitaryOfficers AssociationofAmericaDavid&PatriciaArnold** CA byJamesArnold
Volume20 · Number1, 2014 9
Yes! Count on me to support our Memorial. Enclosed is my contribution of:
$100 Silver: Your gift will be acknowledged and you will receive a Certificate.
$250 Gold: Your gift will be acknowledged and you will receive a Certificate.
$500 Platinum: Your gift will be acknowledged and you will receive a Certificate.
$1000 New Century: Your gift will be acknowledged, you will receive a Certificate and your name will be cast in bronze and displayed in the main entrance to Memorial Hall.
Patrons
$5,000 $10,000 $25,000 $50,000 $100,000
In addition to the above benefits, all Patrons will receive a plaque and their names will be permanently displayed on a Patrons Wall of Honor recognizing major benefactors prominently located in the Memorial. Already a Supporter? Great! Since Membership is cumulative, an additional contribution may upgrade your status to the next category.
Other amount enclosed: $
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The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. All Memberships are gratefully acknowledged, published in the newsletter and permanently displayed in the Memorial.
Mail to GWMNMA,101CallahanDrive, Alexandria,VA22301-2751orfaxto703-519-9270
Support the GWMNMA Today!PatronsAlvinI.Singer ILW.DavidHanisch CAW.LeeLong NCH.MalvernMarks TXStanleyA.Raley CALorenE.Schrock ORLoydE.Davis UTDorisE.Hoffman MIMasonicAncients PA ofPennsylvaniaAnthony&MarilynWordlow CAJamesA.&ShirleyM.Pletz DEMark&KathyGenung INJosephC.Connolly MAColumbia-KeystoneRACNo-3 PAJackCallahan AL
RichardW.Sweet AZWarnerB.Connolly MIAnn&ChesterClark NJGeorgeJ.Koca ILTuocKimPham CAPioneerLodgeNo-70 NJWm.R.Singleton-Hope-Lebanon DC LodgeNo-7ThomasW.Jackson PAGrandLodgeofBulgariaAASRValleyofEugene,Oregon ORDonaldE.Daume NJTheSquareClub,NewJersey NJWilliamA.Simms VAColumbianLodge MA
A rareMasonicengravingof1755depictsaTilerguarding theportalofaMasonictemple,abovewhicharewrittentheLatinwordsPulsanti Aperietur,“Knockanditshallbeopened.”I thoughtofthisimagewhentheWashingtonMetropolitanPhil-harmonicAssociation,performedatourGalaConcertinhonorofWashington’sBirthdayonFebruary22.Withthreemeasuredanddistinctpulses,sonorousnotes
MusicwriterDavidFoilpointsoutthatinsteadofcreatingonlyan“escapisttrifle,”Mozart“transcendedtheactionofmereplottoplumbthedepthsandreachtheheightsofhumanlongingandnobility.”ThatiswhythestoryofThe Magic Flute is outlandish andcomical,yetstrikesussimultaneouslyasseriousandpro-found—especiallyinhistoricalcontext.Whenthecurtainsfirstwentuponthisspectacularproduction,theworldwaschanginginwaysthathadneverbeenwitnessedbefore.ThesuccessfulAmer-icanRevolutionwasinspiringnewdreamsoffreedomaroundtheworld.ThinkingmeneverywhereweredebatingtheideasofThomasPaine’s,Rights of Man,hotoffthepress.TheUnitedStateswasintheprocessofaddingtheBillofRightstotheCon-stitution,securinguntoldlibertiesforitscitizens.AndBrother GeorgeWashingtonwasengagedinplanningthenewAmericancapitalcityandthedistrictthatwouldcontainit.Theworldwaswatching,andmanyrealizedthatwhereverthesegreatchangeswerehappening,theMasonicBrotherhoodthrived.Theopera’sfinalactculminatesinthevictoryofthetemple
Shawn E. Eyer is the Director of Communications of The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association.
Volume20 · Number1, 2014 11
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12 Volume20 · Number1, 2014
Association OfficersElected February 22, 2014DonaldG.Hicks,Jr.,PresidentRidgelyH.Gilmour,First Vice PresidentRobertP.Conley,Second Vice PresidentJ.F.“Jeff”Webb,Third Vice PresidentGeorgeD.Seghers,*Executive Director
Board of DirectorsTerm Expires February 22, 2015RichardW.Aydelotte,DelawareD.BrookCunningham,ArizonaCraigL.Davis,IowaBennyL.Grisham,IllinoisDonaldG.Hicks,Jr.,*MassachusettsLonW.Kvasager,North DakotaGregoryA.Riley,Sr.,West VirginiaJ.F.“Jeff”Webb,*Louisiana
Term Expires February 22, 2016RobertP.Conley,*MichiganJohnV.Egan,iii,ColoradoAndrewU.Hammer,*A-W Lodge No. 22StephenJ.Ponzillo,iii,MarylandGailS.Turner,MissouriClaireV.Tusch,Maine
Term Expires February 22, 2017JarrodD.Adkisson,ArkansasTracyL.Bloom,KansasCharlesH.“Chuck”Gilson,South DakotaRidgelyH.Gilmour,*UtahDaleI.Goehrig,FloridaSimonR.LaPlace,ConnecticutKenneth G. Nagel, California
*MemberofExecutiveCommittee
FrankR.Dunaway,Jr.,Board Member Emeritus DonaldM.Robey,Exec. Sec.-Treas. Emeritus
TheGeorgeWashingtonMasonicNationalMemorialAssociationispleasedtopresentthe2014CommemorativeHolidayOrnament:Erected in Strength and Beauty.Inthe
1920s,thelocalMemorialCommitteeofAlexandriaemphasizedtherelationshipoftheMemorial’sdesigntoclassicalidealism:“The Memorial to Washington, in its colossal form would typify the power and strength of Masonry. The graceful outlying and proportions would symbolize the beautiful tenets of the institution and would express the unfeigned loyalty and devo-tion of the American Mason to the ideals of Washington.”Accordingly,theMemorialAssociation’scharterstatesthatourpurposeis“To erect and
maintain . . . a suitable Memorial Temple to George Washington, the Mason; which expresses in durability and beauty the undying esteem of the Freemasons of the United States for him in whose memory it shall stand throughout the coming years.”Historically,templeshavebeensituatedonhilltopsormountains,andfromancienttimeshavebeendeemedsacred.
The GeorgeWashingtonMasonicNationalMemorialreaches333feetintotheskyatopthehighesthill