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Easter Sunrise Services - April 7 1996 - Washington, DC As we enter the spring season, it is always a great feeling that we celebrate Easter with services at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia. What a beautiful setting for our services. If you have not been in attendance at one of the Easter Services you have missed a once-in-a-lifetime event that is available to a Knight Templar. One faces the east and sees in the distance the dome of our nations capitol and the skyline of monuments that spell out our great heritage as Masons and citizens of this great country of ours. This year the services will be under the supervision of our Grand Prelate, Sir Knight Donald Hinslea Smith, Past Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America. Whenever Sir Knight Don speaks, he always has a very interesting message and lesson for all of us. Sir Knight Richard Baldwin, Honorary Past Department Commander, Past Grand Commander of Virginia and General Chairman of the Committee on the Easter Sunrise Memorial Service, has a message for all attending in regard to the package deal with the Hotel Washington and also for those who wish to obtain Saturday luncheon tickets and Easter morning breakfast tickets. Remember, all presiding Grand Commanders and their ladies are guests of the Grand Encampment for the Saturday noonday luncheon. See page 13 of this issue for Sir Knight Baldwin's message. Membership Retention Right Worshipful Brother and Sir Knight George H. Hohenshildt, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, has called a meeting of the leaders of Freemasonry which include the Sovereign Grand Commanders of both jurisdictions of the Scottish Rite and the Grand Master of the Grand Encampment to see what can be done to retain members who already have or are drifting away from our Masonic organization through demits and suspensions for nonpayment of dues. I regret that I will be unable to attend this all important meeting as it tails upon dates for which your Grand Master is already obligated. The Scientific Advisory Committee of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation and Easter Sunrise Services are dates to which your Grand Master is already obligated. In talking with Sir Knight Hohenshildt I said that he has my backing in this venture and that I would meet with him at any time and place in order to help work out a solution - a solution most dear to all our hearts. Sir Knights, membership retention will be the main goal of the Grand Encampment the balance of the 60th Triennium. “Meet Me in St Louis, Sir Knight Loiue!” The Grand Encampment Triennial Conclave is August 9-13, 1997, at the Adams Mark Hotel in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, just north of the Arch which is the Gateway to the West. The 60th Triennial Committee of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America is hard at work in setting up the program to welcome all Sir Knights and their ladies for a gala celebration. Hotel rates and reservation notices will be spelled out in an upcoming Templar magazine next summer. The Committee wants to welcome all Sir Knights and their ladies to St Louis where Missouri hospitality will be on parade. Meet Me in St Louie, Sir Knight Louie" will be our theme song. Watch the Knight Templar magazine to keep posted on the goings-on in St. Louis in August of 1997. Blair Christy Mayford Grand Master March 1996 2 Knight Templar "The Magazine for York Rite Masons - and Others, too" MARCH: See the reminder on page 13, and make sure you get your reservations in as soon as possible for the Easter weekend. We're at a halfway point in the 28th Annual Voluntary Campaign. Please give your attention to Chairman Garnes' article on page about the campaign. We have lots of news this month and a complete story with original artwork by Sir Knight Joseph E. Bennett. His story and our cover celebrate a musical great, musician and big band orchestra leader, Tommy Tucker. Contents March 1996 Grand Master's Message—March Volume XLII Number 3 Grand Master Blair C. Mayford - 2 Published monthly as an official publication of the Grand The 28th Voluntary Campaign - The Halfway Point! Encampment of Knights Templar Sir Knight Charles A. Garnes - 5 of the United States of America. Let's Keep Fishing Blair Christy Mayford Sir Knight Paul C. Howell – 10 Grand Master and Publisher Message from Derek C. Thamarus Brother Derek C. Thamarus - 11 14 Duffy Court St Peters, Missouri 63376 Reminder - Easter Weekend in Washington, DC Charles R. Neumann Sir Knight Richard B. Baldwin - 13 Grand Recorder It’s Tommy Tucker Time" and Editor Sir Knight Joseph E. Bennett - 21 Joan B. Morton Assistant Editor Grand Commander's, Grand Master's Clubs – 7 28th KTEF Voluntary Campaign Tally - 8 Grand Recorder 5097 N. Elston Avenue, Suite 101 100% Life Sponsorship, KTEF - 8 Chicago, Illinois 60630-2460 (773) 777-3300 March Issue – 3 Fax: (773) 777-8836 Editors Journal – 4 In Memoriam – 7 Mail magazine materials and Recipients of the Membership Award - 9 correspondence to Editor, 57 N. Elston Avenue, Suite 101, Chico, I1- History of the Grand Encampment – 16 60630-2460. Knight Voices - 30 Material for the Grand Commanderies’ two-page supplement is to be directed to the respective Supplement editors. Address corrections from members are to be sent to the local Recorders March 1996 3 Correction: The York Rite Grand Sessions of Sir Knights, Attention!: An important and Washington State are scheduled as follows: May invaluable booklet entitled The York Rife of 20 - Grand Council, May 21 - Grand Chapter and Freemasonry - a History and Handbook, is Banquet, and May 22 - Grand Commandery. available from the Grand Encampment. Authored Tenth Crusade to the Holy Land: Grand Master by Sir Knight Frederick G. Speidel, this Mayford has authorized two more trips to the Holy comprehensive, illustrated 78-page booklet Land, scheduled for November 5 through explains the degrees, history, symbolism, and November 15, and November 18 through benevolent programs of the Blue Lodge, the November 28, 1996. For more information, see the Chapter, the Council, and the Commandery, with February issue, page 12, or contact: P. Fred illustrations of the jewels of the officers of each Lesley, P.O. Box 498, Battle Creek, Ml 49016, body and the Red Cross, Malta, and Templar (616) 965-0324. banners. There is no limit on orders: $1.50 each under 100 copies; $1.00 each over 100 copies, Announcement: Knight Commander of the plus shipping and handling. Write your checks to Temple award: All nominations for the Knight and mail to the Grand Encampment, Knights Commander of the Temple award should be made Templar; 5097 N. Elston Avenue, Suite 101; to a HOLDER of the award in the state of the Chicago; IL 60630-2460. nominee. These nominations will be reviewed by the holders and then forwarded to the Grand A Pilgrim's Path: Freemasonry and the Encampment. NO nominations will be accepted if Religious Right: This is John J. Robinson's last sent directly to the Grand Encampment office. Any book, and it is available as a hardbound copy. further questions should be directed to the Grand Every Mason should want this intriguing and Recorder of your state. educational book in his library. The book is available for $15.00 each, plus $2.50 shipping and Announcing: The Widow's Pin - to commemorate handling. • Born in Blood: The exciting book by those who were active Templars: The Grand John J. Robinson is available at the price of Encampment continues a program to honor $1600, including shipping and handling. • widows of Knights Templar. A green pin is for Dungeon, Fire and Sword: The Knights widows of those below the rank of Commander, Templar In the Crusades. This history of the and a red Templar Cross pin is for widows of Sir Knights Templar by the late John J. Robinson is Knights who held office below the rank of Past available for $20.00 each, plus $3.00 shipping and Grand Commander (this includes Commanders, handling. Please make checks payable to the Past Commanders and grand officers). Honor Grand Encampment, and send them to the Grand your widows at regular or special programs of your Recorder; Grand Encampment, Knights Templar; Commandery. Order in lots of 10 at $5.00 apiece, 5097 N. Elston Avenue, Suite 101; Chicago; IL payable to the Grand Encampment, and send to 60630-2460. the Grand Recorder; Grand Encampment, Knights Templar; 5097 N. Elston Avenue, Suite 101; Complimentary for Widows: Widows of Knights Chicago; IL 60630-2460. Templar are eligible to continue receiving our magazine as long as they desire. To retain or reinstate the mailing, simply instruct your local Recorder or the Grand Encampment of your wishes. March 1996 4 The 28th Voluntary Campaign The Halfway Point! Did You Catch the Train or Did You Forget Those in Need? by Sir Knight Charles A. Garnes, Honorary P.D.C. And Chairman of the 28th Annual Voluntary Campaign The 28th Annual Voluntary Campaign (train) is halfway to its destination or the end of the Campaign. It does not take much thought to realize that we should have $1 million by now. We also know that we are not at this point, and there may be several reasons such as: Commanderies hold back funds until April, Sir Knights hold back accumulated funds to send at one time, and also there are those who have not decided to get aboard the campaign (train) and help us reach our goal.