1 alexaNdria, VirgiNia · Volume 26 · Number 2 · 2020 of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial ™ PresideNt’s message Finding the Silver Lining by J. F. “Jeff ” Webb M y worthy Brothers and friends, I hope and pray that this message finds all well and safe. I might add that I, like many of you, am looking forward to hav- ing “2020 hindsight!” It has been a difficult and frus- trating year for many: covid-19, economic shutdown, forest fires, hurricanes, etc. However, as the old saying goes: “There is a silver lining behind every cloud.” As I’m from Southwest Louisi- ana, I witnessed the setbacks of the coronavirus (deaths and mandated lockdowns), followed by back-to- back hurricanes. Many, who were already suffering financially from the lockdown, suffered severe dam- age from the hurricanes. From a Masonic standpoint, a number of lodge buildings were damaged, some severely, and our Scottish Rite Temple and Shrine Temple both suffered damage. Much of the community was without water or electricity for an extended period of time. However, our Masonic breth- ren came together and reflected that “silver lining” hidden behind the dark clouds. They opened the damaged Shrine Temple, collected CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 LIGHT The Search for Light S ince the dawn of creation mankind has sought light. Masonry is replete with allusions and references to light. In our Masonic traditions, the opening verses of the book of Gen- esis are used as the history of creation. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Without light there would be no life as we we know it on earth. Metaphorically, light is symbolic of knowledge and understanding. When we see things clearly we understand clearly. This is what we are doing in Memorial Hall. The original plans for the Memorial specified large windows with amber glass to create a golden light within the hall. For the last seventy years, Memorial Hall has been shrouded in shadow and dimness. Stained glass windows with opaque plexiglass behind them were installed that greatly reduced the light coming into the hall. Now with the installation of the amber glass windows, Memorial Hall is filled with warm, bright light. Memorial Hall is now an inviting, welcoming, bright, cheerful, and clear space to view and contemplate the magnificent statue of Washington. It is the first space our visitors experience when entering the Memorial. They can now see clearly and perhaps better understand our mission. We express our sincere thanks to all those who made this transformation of Memorial Hall a reality. For more information about how this project was done, please see the story on page 7. For a list of contributors to this project, please see page 13. Through beautiful new windows, sunlight floods into Memorial Hall, allowing visitors to more clearly see and study the statue of Washington, and the two stately murals depicting key Masonic events attended by Washington.
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alexaNdria,VirgiNia· Volume26· Number2· 2020
of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial
™
PresideNt’smessageFinding the Silver Liningby J. F. “Jeff” Webb
My worthy Brothers
andfriends,Ihope and pray that this message findsallwelland
AsI’mfromSouthwestLouisi-ana,Iwitnessedthesetbacksofthecoronavirus(deathsandmandatedlockdowns),followedbyback-to-backhurricanes.Many,whowerealreadysufferingfinanciallyfromthelockdown,sufferedseveredam-agefromthehurricanes.FromaMasonicstandpoint,anumberoflodgebuildingsweredamaged,someseverely,andourScottishRiteTempleandShrineTemplebothsuffereddamage.Muchofthecommunitywaswithoutwaterorelectricityforanextendedperiodoftime.However,ourMasonicbreth-rencametogetherandreflectedthat“silverlining”hiddenbehindthedarkclouds.TheyopenedthedamagedShrineTemple,collectedCONTINUED ON PAGE 2
esisareusedasthehistoryofcreation.In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
Through beautiful new windows, sunlight floods into Memorial Hall, allowing visitors to more clearly see and study the statue of Washington, and the two stately murals depicting key Masonic events attended by Washington.
AlthoughtheGeorgeWashing-tonMasonicNationalMemorialhassufferedin2020,therehavebeenalotofpositivethingstakingplace.PleaseseeourExecutiveDirector’sreportandotherarticlesinthisedi-tion of LIGHT,orgotoourwebsiteandFacebooksiteforupdates.
Ihaveconfidencethatthesamecharitydemonstratedbytheafore-mentionedMasons,GrandLodges,andappendantbodies,willbesharedwiththeMemorialasconditionsstabilize.WemustpreservethisLighthouseofAmericanFree-masonry and the memory of the BrotherGeorgeWashingtonforalltime.
TheIrishhistorian,W.E.H.Lecky(1838–1903)wroteofWashington,“On the appointment of Washington, far more than any other single circumstance, is due the ultimate success of the American Revolution. . . . he possessed to an eminent degree not only the common courage of a soldier, but also that much rarer form of courage which can endure long-continued suspense, bear the weight of great responsibility, and encounter risks of misrepresentation and unpopularity.”Leckyfurtherwrote,“He never acted on the impulse of an absorbing or uncalculating enthusiasm, and he valued very highly fortune, position, and reputation; but at the command of duty he was ready to risk and sacrifice them all. He was, in the highest sense of the words, a gentleman and a man of honor, and he carried into public life the severest standard of private morals.”
AssociAtion officersElected February 22, 2019J.F.“Jeff ”Webb,PresidentClaireV.Tusch,First Vice PresidentKennethG.Nagel,Second Vice PresidentThomasK.Sturgeon,Third Vice PresidentGeorgeD.Seghers,Executive Director
BoArd of directorsTerm Expires February 22, 2021ScottA.Thomas,ArizonaJ.F.“Jeff ”Webb,LouisianaJohnS.Ryan,New JerseyMichaelG.Rodman,South DakotaThomasK.Sturgeon,Pennsylvania
Term Expires February 22, 2022MichaelP.Bible,A-W Lodge No. 22RichardJ.Elman,IndianaJerryN.Kirby,TexasRussellG.Reno,NebraskaClaireV.Tusch,MaineCarlB.Willi,Rhode Island
Term Expires February 22, 2023MichaelA.DeWolf,WisconsinLewieFletcher,MontanaKennethG.Nagel,CaliforniaLeonardProden,District of ColumbiaCliffordF.“Chip”Stammii,ConnecticutJonMichaelTaylor,AlabamaJohnW.Westermaniii,FloridaJimmieL.“Jim”Windham,Mississippi
‘A Deserving Brother’: George Washington and Freemasonry,thebookdetailsmorethansixtyMasoniceventsinWashington’slife—fromhislodgeinitiationin1752throughhisMasonicfuneralin1799.Itiscomposedofmorethan100,000wordsand50colorimagesofletters,books,andartifactsrelatedtoWashington’smembershipin,andrelationshipwith,Freemasonry.
A Deserving BrotherexamineslodgeminutebooksthatrecordWashington’sattendanceandGrandLodgeconstitutionbookssenttohim.FeaturedimagesincludeWashington’sMasonicaprons,theworkingtoolsfromtheU.S.CapitolcornerstoneceremonyandtheGrandLodgeofMassachusetts’goldurn,madebyPaulRevere,thatcontainsalockofWashington’shair.EveryMasonicletterto,andfrom,Washingtonistranscribed.
A Deserving BrotherwillsettleallquestionsoverWashington’smembershipandlifelongdedicationtotheCraft,andrevealhisaffectionandadmirationofthegreatprincipleandvirtuesofFree-masonry.Itisnotsimplyagoodhistorybook,butwillmakeahandsomegiftandaworthyadditiontoeveryMason’sandeveryAmerican’slibrary.
MasonicDigitalArchivesProjectUpdatelinkstoadditionalpagesthatcontainthesealsofthatstate’sgrandbodies,andeithertheproceedingscurrentlyonlineoravailablefor posting into the system.
General Washington’s first public appearance as a Freemason, which took place December 28, 1778, in Philadelphia, is depicted on one of the murals in Memorial Hall.
Beinganationalmemorialandmuseumtheboardofdirec-torsthatmakeuptheGeorgeWashingtonMasonicNationalMemorialAssociationarecomposedofMemberGrandLodgesfromacrossthecountry.AstheAssociationisgovernedbyGrandLodges,manyofwhichhelpsupporttheMemorialinvariouswayslikehavingacertainamountofinitiationfeesbeingdonatedoranannualpercapitadonationtotheMemorial,onecansayinasensethatallFreemasonsintheUnitedStatesarehelpingsupportthemissionoftheAssociation:“To inspire humanity through educa-tion to emulate and promote the virtues, character and vision of George Washington, the Man, the Mason and Father of our Country.”
Our 4th floor George Washington Museum was scanned with careful attention to the interpretive value of the collection. Every item on display may be clearly viewed.
Throughoutthepandemic,andevenduringthemonthstheMemorialwasclosedtothepublic,ouressentialstaffwereworkinginthebuildingtokeepkeyprojectsmovingforward—includingtherestorationeffortsoftheLandmarkCenturyCampaign.Whateverthechallengesmaybe,wemustfulfillourvision: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.
New Memorial Hall Windows CompletedFromAugusttoOctober,workersundertooktheprocessofexchangingtheoldstainedglasswindowsinMemorialHallfor
On the main roof of the Memorial, workers prepare to install the new amber glass windowpanes and interior metal grating.
As seen from the interior, the completed project allows natural light to illuminate Memorial Hall and its important exhibits.
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Our website explains all of the options for participating in the Landmark Century Campaign. Visit www.gwmemorial.org today to discover more.
Other Current and Upcoming ProjectsAnothersignificantprojectnowtakingplaceistheexpansionofthecleanstorageroomforthelibraryandmuseumcollections.LocatedontheMemorial’smezzaninelevel,thisspaceallowsformaterialstobesafelystoredwithoutcontamination.
How You Can HelpAlloftheseprojectsaremadepossibleonlybyyourongoinggenerosity.Withouttheenthusiasticsupportofindividualsandlodges,theMemorialwouldnotbeabletofulfillitsmission.Today,youcanbeanessentialpartofhelpingustoreachournextmilestones.AllfundsgivenaspartoftheLandmarkCenturyCampaignarededicatedtotheongoingrestorationandimprove-mentworkdescribedonthesepages.TomakeadonationtotheLandmarkCenturyCampaignbymail,pleaseusetheformonpage13.Simplyselectyourchosenamountandwhetheritisaone-timegiftormonthlypledge.Youmayalsouseourwebsitetodonateonline:http://gwmemorial.org. FormoreinformationabouthowyouoryourorganizationcanhelptheMemorialatthiscriticaltime,[email protected],orcall703-683-2007,ext.2013.
Shawn Eyer is the Director of Communications & Development of The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association.
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Contributors Patrons
Landmark Century Architect $100,000 or moreAlexandria-WashingtonLodgeNo-22VAW.DavidHanisch CAWilliamA.Simms VAAlvinI.Singer IL
Master Builder $50,000Anthony &MarilynWordlow CAAndrewJacksonLodgeNo-120 VAJ.F.“Jeff ”Webb LA
Builder $25,000TuocKimPham CAJ.F.“Jeff ”Webb LAH.MalvernMarks TXW.LeeLong NCGrandLodgeofBulgariaBulgariaGeorge&LouiseSeghers VARobertW.Gregory CO
Master Architect $10,000LoydE.Davis UTJamesRakes MDWashingtonDaylightLodgeNo-14 DCDavidB.“Ben” VA &MiriamF.Browning RidgelyH.Gilmour UTLarryChristenson PACliffordRay&MaryCribbMott GAS.WarrenAlvis NCTrimbleLodgeNo-117 NJWm.R.Singleton-Hope-Lebanon DC LodgeNo-7StanleyA.Raley CALorenE.Schrock ORChesterH.Clark NJColumbia-KeystoneRoyalArch PA ChapterNo-3ColumbianLodge MAFederalLodgeNo-1 DCJackCallahan ALLouisA.Wagner** WA byFrankJ.WagnerGeneC.Byer VAG.R.“Mike”Harman SCIngridM.Grosskopf NJJamesM.Scearce,Jr. VAJasonTaliaferro VAAndrewW.Huttner VANationalSojourners,Inc. VARussell& JulieReno NEWillisG.Webster IL
The Society of Washington LodgesWashingtonLodgeNo-20 CAWashington-LaFayetteLodgeNo-176VAGeorgeWashingtonLodgeNo-251 WA (nowUniversityLodgeNo-141)PotomacLodgeNo-5 DCWashingtonLodgeNo-70 CTWashingtonDaylightLodgeNo-14 DCAlexandria-WashingtonLodgeNo-22VAFederalLodgeNo-1 DCWashingtonLodgeNo-46 ORGeorgeWashingtonLodgeNo-161 COFredericksburgLodgeNo-4 VAFellowshipLodgeNo-490 MIMarineLodge MAWamesitLodge MAColumbianLodge MAJacksonLodgeNo-82 MOGoldenRuleLodge MAMountMoriahLodgeNo-2 UTMountLebanonLodge MAAbrahamC.TreichlerLodgeNo-682 PAAndrewJacksonLodgeNo-120 VALibertyLodgeNo-299 CASequinLevelLodgeNo-140 CTIonicLodgeNo-110 CTWashingtonLodgeNo-21 NYDowntownLodgeNo-86 AZPearlLodgeNo-23 MSKittatinnyLodgeNo-164 NJWashingtonLodgeNo-59 PAEastLansingLodgeNo-480 MILancasterLodgeNo-54 NEScottsdaleLodgeNo-43 AZRomeLodgeNo-535 OHVisaliaMineralKingLodgeNo-128CAInfinityLodgeNo-546 PAWashingtonLodge MACorinthianLodgeNo-63 CTAlmaLodgeNo-244 MICotnerLodgeNo-297 NE
MountRushmoreLodgeNo-220 SDArizonaLodgeNo-2 AZSt.George’sLodgeNo-6 NYOrientalLodgeNo-27 DEHickmanLodgeNo-256 NEOceanLodgeNo-89 NJEvergreenParkLodgeNo-1171 ILBellevueLodgeNo-325 NE
Bench DedicationsDeanS.Clatterbuck* VA bySt.SimeonStylitesConclave, RedCrossofConstantineClifford“Skippy”Stamm** CT byChip&CindyStamm
Tree DedicationsGabrielBaroudi* VA byJoeBaroudiJohnBlack* VA byWilliamJ.BlackWilliamR.Black* VA byWilliamJ.BlackDeanS.Clatterbuck* VA byJoeBaroudiDeanS.Clatterbuck* VA byGrantR.BerningDeanS.Clatterbuck* VA bySt.SimeonStylitesConclave, RedCrossofConstantineDeanS.Clatterbuck* VA bySt.SimeonStylitesConclave, RedCrossofConstantineRandolphS.Fowler* VA byWilliamJ.BlackBillyWayneGarrison* SC byArthurE.AllumGeorge&RuthJohnson** MA byRichardJ.StewartJeremyRichardMcQuown** OH byFamily&FriendsMelvin&VerleneMiller* MD byMelanieMillerDonaldJ.Redlich* PA byTrinityConclave,RedCross ofConstantineNathanielR.Stiles** CA byWisdomLodgeNo-202HellaTaubert* VA byHerFamilyAlanIvanWright* MA bytheDavidS.GrayFamilyGeraldF.Yeager** PA byHisChildren
The Memorial Tree and Bench Programs were conceived in 2001 to beautify the Memorial grounds, reduce erosion and
run-off, provide a habitat for birds and wildlife and to establish a tree canopy to create much-needed oxygen for the community. The program is a meaningful way to honor and remember indi-viduals and organizations with a living memorial. Since inception of the program 720 trees have been planted on the grounds of the Memorial.
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.
TheMasonicCharityFoundation OK ofOklahomaGrandLodgeofMinnesota MNSupremeCouncil,aasr-NmJ MAPennsylvaniaMasonicYouth PA FoundationValleyofPittburgh,aasr PAGrandLodgeofOregon ORGrandLodgeofCalifornia CAPennsylvaniaDemolay PAGeorgeD.&LouiseG.Seghers VA
GrandMasterofTheProvincialGrandLodge,U.S.A.,TheRoyalOrderofScotland,forhisgeneroussupportofthis issue of LIGHTandforhiscontinu-ingsupportoftheMemorialandourprograms.TheRoyalOrderofScotlandisaninvitationalMasonicOrderthatpreservesandconferstwobeautifulancientdegrees.Tolearnmore,visittheirwebsiteathttp://www.roosusa.org.
ThankYoutotheRoyal OrderofScotland
THE ROYAL ORDER
OF SC OTLAND
GLO
RIA
IN EXCELSIS DEO
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memorialgiftshoPfeatureditems
George Washington Pen KnifeThisisareplicaofapenknifeinthecollectionofAlexandria-WashingtonLodgeNo.22.Thehandleismadeofsaltwatermotherofpearl,andtheknifecomesinavelvetgiftbox.Closedlengthis3 ,̋withafoldingbladelengthof1¾ .̋$49.95.(No- 1284)
The Eye of ProvidenceOur2015holidayornamentdepictstheAll-SeeingEyeoftheGreatArchitectoftheUniverse.Gold-platedandmadeinthe usa. $25.(No- 858)
The Trowel: United in Brotherly LoveMasonry’ssymboloftheTrowel,asym-boloffraternalaffection,iscelebratedonour2019ornament.Gold-plated,made in the usa.$25.(No-1254)
Houdon’s Washington StatueOur2018ornamentcelebratedthereturnofourownbronzecastingofthisimportantworkofart.Gold-plated,made in the usa. $25.(No-1138)
The George Washington MemorialTheGeorgeWashingtonMasonicNationalMemorialisproudlydisplayedonour2017holidayornament.Gold-plated,madeintheusa. $25.(No-1038)
Butterfly Greeting Cards, Set of FiveThese6×4 ̋cardsareprintedonheavy-weightcardstockwithalinenfinish.Blankinside,withenvelopesincluded.$20persetof5cards.(No- 1277)
The Double Headed EagleTheclassicemblemoftheAncientandAcceptedScottishRitecomestolifeinthissplendidgold-platedholidayorna-ment. $25.(No-213)
The Three Great Lights in MasonryTheHolyBible,Square,andCompasshavebeenlongreveredwithinMasonry.Our1994ornamentdisplaysthemwithinagoldenwreath.$25.(No- 2012)
Knights Templar Holiday OrnamentThiscommemorativeholidayornamentdepictstheCrownandCrossoftheMasonicKnightsTemplar.Gold-plated,made in the usa.$25.(No-43)
