Scottish Rite Future

Ill. John R. Biggs, Jr., 33°

Most Worshipful Grand Master

of Masons in Maryland

Brethren,

              Isn’t it amazing how quickly time seems to pass; another  wonderful time of the year is behind us; and I hope that each of you enjoyed a wonderful Holiday Season with your family.

              It is a most rewarding time of the year for Masons, as we head into January. Lodges will be installing new leadership, and those new leaders will be planning new events and activities for their Lodges. So it is with our Scottish Rite Bodies, who, on January 31^st, will gather together to see and support our new leadership as they take the helm and begin to execute their plans for another productive year in the Orient of Maryland.

On a different subject, part of the charge we give to Worshipful Masters as they are being installed is: “You agree to avoid private piques and quarrels." This is certainly something we should all strive to do in our lives. We all need to come together and support our Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Bro. Hans Wilhelmsen, and the Board of Directors as they strive to carry our Scottish Rite into the future. Making a decision to do something or not do something is never an easy task. There will always be some that disagree regardless of the outcome. But one thing I am very sure of is that I have the utmost faith in our S.G.I.G. – he is a man I have a great deal of respect for, and truly has Masonic principles and ideals ingrained into his character.

Brethren, I have enjoyed the two years I spent as your    Deputy Grand Master, and I look forward to being with you and serving you for the balance of my term as Grand Master.  If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know.

Fraternally,
John R. Biggs, Jr., 33°
Grand Master

 

Endowed Scottish Rite

Life Membership

Ill. E. Ray Leppo, Jr., 33°

Personal Representative

Valley of Baltimore

Have you thought about the advantage of a Scottish Rite Life Membership?

 Endowed Life Membership is available to any member in good standing in a Lodge of Perfection, whose dues are paid up to date, and thereby will be relieved from further payment of dues.  The purchase price is $600.00 and the Lodge of Perfection of which he is a member shall continue to secure income from such funds even after the demise of the member.  The fee for those over the age of 75 is $300.00.  For more information, please contact the Scottish Rite Office at 410-243-3200.

Fraternally,
E. Ray Leppo, Jr., 33°
Personal Representative

World War II
Lest We Forget

Ill. Bennie G. Owens, 33°

Personal Representative

Orient of Maryland

During World War II, it was my lot to serve aboard the U.S.S. Block Island.  The Block Island was an Escort Carrier (sometimes called a Jeep or Small Carrier).  I served on both ships bearing this name.   USS Block Island, CVE 21  was sunk in the Atlantic on May 29, 1944.   USS Block Island CVE 106 was commissioned in Tacoma,       Washington, December 30, 1944, and left Pearl Harbor April 17, 1945, to join the Fleet and participate in several battles, such as Okinawa and Borneo.  The story I wish to relate is not the battles that we were involved with, but something that happened just after the signing of the treaty on the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945.  We were steaming toward Korea to provide air cover for some operations when we were ordered to change course and head for  Formosa.  We were in company with the USS Santee, CVE 29 and the  Destroyer Escorts USS Gary and USS Kretchmer.  The Air Group on the Block Island were Marine Fliers.  Col. Cooley was chosen to receive the surrender of the Prisoner of War camp on the  Island and decided to take a small company of Marines (all plane     handlers who had not seen a gun since boot camp).  The Marines were transferred to the Destroyer Escorts (DE’s) to go in to the dock at Kirun, Formosa.

In the meantime one of the Planes from the Block Island had Landed at the Air Strip to confer with the intelligence people and to assess the needs of the POW’s on the Island.  It was decided that Medical Care was the first priority.  Dr. Bernard Barrett, Lt. MC, USN, who was attached to Marine Fighter Squadron 5ll and two Pharmacist Mates from the Block Island and two from the Santee were immediately flown to the  Airstrip.  I was one of the Pharmacist Mates.  You can imagine me lying in the belly of a TBF as it was catapulted from the Carrier, one of the lasting thrills of my life.  The Japanese met us at the Airstrip in what looked like a 1936 DeSoto and transported us to the POW camp.  They were very cordial at this time.  The POW’s had taken control of the camp and there were no Japanese weapons visible.  There were about 1,200 POW’s in the camp and a great number of them were in need of medical treatment.  I have never worked so hard in my life as we did to prepare these men for transport to the DE’s and then to the Carriers and then to hospitals in Manila.  We had less than 24 hours to prepare them for transport.  The condition of the POW’s remains in mind to this day almost 60 years later.  If anyone has any doubt as to the treatment that POW’s at the hands of the Japanese, I can tell you that it was horrible.  We had medical supplies and food and worked very hard to get these men ready for their trip home.  We were interrupted sometime in the morning and were able to observe this small group of Marines with full gear and rifles marching into the camp.  You can not believe the feeling that we hospital corpsmen had as we watched the Marines march into that camp.  We were extremely proud to be Americans.

On Tuesday, September 11, 1945, the POW’s were landed and transported to hospitals in Manila.  It made us feel great that after all these years of WAR, we could be a part of an operation that would allow some of these Allied Prisoners of War to start their journey home.  British, American, Dutch, and others were among those we rescued.  From the Bataan Death March through the Malayan jungles they had been taken captive.  They worked for months and years in the copper mines of Northern Formosa.  We did thank God for this important     opportunity.

The war was over. Now wouldn’t it be great if men could to learn to live together by the tenants of our institution?  However, history has   already shown us that we still have despots that will require military intervention.  Let us all remember the sacrifice that so many have made and honor those who spent time in POW camps in any war and assure them that their sacrifice was not in vain.

Respectfully submitted,

Bennie G. Owens,

former PHM1C, USN

Maryland Council of Kadosh

Hon. Leslie G. Metcalf, Jr., 32°, KCCH

Commander

Maryland Council of Kadosh

Brethren,

              As we are entering a New Year, let us all thank our creator for our continued health and happiness.  May we make this year better than the past.

              I would like to thank the members of the Scottish Rite for electing me as Commander of the Council of Kadosh.

My predecessor was always talking about the "Boomer" and "X'er" generations.  I agree with him whole heartedly.  We are the caretakers of the torch to be passed down to the generations who will restore the lights of our temples.  There has been a slight peak of  interest in our fraternity in the past year.  Can we harness the youth of our future light?

You have heard the term "think outside the box;" well it is time to think outside of ourselves.  Is the name we make for ourselves today going to stand up tomorrow?  Be not one whose motive for action is the hope of reward.  Merits will come to those who are true believers in others.  Think of the  future, work for the future, plan for the future.  The future we study and plan for begins today.

We all must work diligently in our Blue Lodges as well as the other bodies of Masonry.  The interest should be first to our Blue Lodge.  We need to keep it strong and lively as from this, we will receive new members into the    Scottish Rite as well as the other collateral bodies of Masonry.  I do not have all the answers and I doubt if anyone out there has all the answers.  It takes a group of men working together in temperance and harmony, fortitude and diligence, with the foresight and prudence in a justly manner where we all will benefit as well as future  generations.  Let us all work together, young and old, to keep the great light of Masonry shining brighter for all to see.

Fraternally,

Les Metcalf, Jr.



 

The Almoner Fund

Ill. J. Fred Hobine, 33°

Almoner

Many thanks to the Brethren who have and are still contributing to the Almoner fund.  This fund helps our worthy Brothers who can't afford to pay their dues for reasons of health or financial difficulties.  We will pay their dues for them as long as they are in good standing in their Blue Lodge.

              If any Brother knows of a member who needs our help, please let the the office know, 410-243-3200, and he or she will notify the Almoner for handling.  Everything is kept in strict confidence.

We also make contrributions to worthwhile organizations such as The Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, and the Special Olympics.  Our main concern is first to help our own Brothers who are on the list

 

Chesapeake Consistory

Ill. Murray K. Lilley, 33°

Master of Kadosh

Chesapeake Consistory

Harold A. Garren, 33° closed his  article in the Fall 2006 Rite News with the following words;

 Human progress is our cause,  liberty of thought our supreme wish, freedom of conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal. 

              Today, more than ever, these words, the Scottish Rite Creed of Freemasonry contain a message for the multitudes.

As we go through our daily life carrying the responsibilities we place upon ourselves as well as those placed upon us by others, we are off times consumed by the burden.  We try to be a good friend, the good brother, the good son, a good husband, a good father, and yes, sometimes even good to ourselves.

Being good to ourselves may appear to some as selfish but let me assure you it is not.  It is important that we feel good ourselves before we can share the feeling with others.  There will be times in our lives when we may    appear to be in a “rut” and tend to forget that “Human progress is our cause.”

We must go forward in our lives and to do that we must have “liberty of thought our supreme wish.”

In keeping with our goals we should remember “freedom of conscience our mission.”

And that we may continue to be productive members of society as well as good Scottish Rite Masons we should strive to see that it is “the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal.”

The Scottish Rite is one of the few places in life where everyone has the same goal toward which they work.  The very principals of our great Masonic fraternity have given us the impetus to learn more so that we may do more for others and the Scottish Rite gives us the tools to be better people in our journey through life.

Come to your Scottish Rite and share with your Brothers a marvelous relationship full of history, fellowship, learning and  understanding,

We look forward to seeing you at the Spring Reunion in March, 2007.  Come along and bring a Brother that you would like to share the experience of the Scottish Rite with.

In Honor Of

As of January 19, 2007

Charles B. Burdette in honor of Ill. Hans R. Wilhelmsen, 33°, S.G.I.G. & the Scottish Rite Staff
Marvin & Evelyn Comer in honor of Wilfred Markey’s 80^th Birthday
Martha G. Hooks in honor of John W. (Jack) Hooks’ 75^th Birthday
Sharon L. Johnston in honor of Dr. Hans & Leah Wilhelmsen
Angelo & Virginia Nopulos in honor of George & Marry Kontozoglus
Herman Samuel and Iris Barron in honor of Rev. Leslie G. Metcalf, 32°, KCCH’s speedy recovery.

In Memory Of

As of January 19, 2007
 

Henry & Joan Bolling in memory of Ebert L. Heffner
Charles B. Burdette in memory of Ill. Thomas Hale, 33°
Charles B. Burdette in memory of Ill. Lynn D. Shreffler, 33°
Clifford & Beverly Carter in memory of Mr. Robert W. Carter
Clifford & Beverly Carter in memory of Mr. Yewdell Green
Clifford & Beverly Carter in memory of Mrs. Dorothy Lewis
Clifford & Beverly Carter in memory of Mr. William Mielke
Clifford & Beverly Carter in memory of Mrs. Marguerite Skipper
Marvin & Evelyn Comer in memory of Ill. Merrill T. Lee, 33°
Marvin & Evelyn Comer in memory of Bro. Christian F. Richter, 32°
Marvin & Evelyn Comer in memory of Mr. Frank Singleton
John S. English in memory of Hazel M. English
Paul C. Ergler in memory of Dorothy Pollard Ergler
Ed & Janet Kraft in memory of Mrs. Margaret Leppo
Mr. & Mrs. & Walter R. Merrifield, Jr. in memory of Walter “Pete” Carter
Oliver W. Strong in memory of Ill. Russell E. Mummert, 33°
Valley of Southern Maryland in memory of Harold Bishop
Hans & Leah Wilhelmsen in memory of Hon. John C. Spence, 32°, KCCH, father of Hon. John S. Spence, 32°, KCCH
Hans & Leah Wilhelmsen in memory of Bro. Christian F. Richter, 32°
Hans & Leah Wilhelmsen in memory of Bro. Ray H. Crumling, Jr., 32°
Hans & Leah Wilhelmsen in memory of Bro. Charles J. White, Sr., 32°, father of Hon. Charles J. White, Jr., 32°, KCCH
Hans & Leah Wilhelmsen in memory of Ill. Russell E. Mummert, 33°
Hans & Leah Wilhelmsen in memory of Ill. Lynn D. Shreffler, 33°
Hans and Leah Wilhelmsen in memory of John O. Quillen
William & Jean Witte in memory of Ebert L. Heffner

Charitable Donations

As of January 19, 2007

Temple Donations

As of January 19, 2007

Deane C. Cody in memory of Ill. Pierce E. Cody, 33°

Paul C. Ergler

Thomas E. McCullough

Wayne C. Mason in memory of Walter J. “Pete” Carter

John R. Wenzel

Brothers Called From Labor
to Eternal Rest

As of January 29, 2007

Clinic Corner

It’s hard to believe that another year is behind us; 2007 is proving to be a busy year right from the start! Our clinic has been bustling with both familiar and new children, parents, grandparents, and guardians this past year. Not only have we continued our service and close relationships with our clients familiar with the Scottish Rite clinic, but we have gained new families this year by conducting screenings at several local private schools this past fall which included: The School of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen; The Friends School of Baltimore; and Calvert School. It’s always exciting to meet all of these new children that are able to benefit from our therapy services.

Our full time clinicians, Alison Raver and Christine Wandishin, have been going to the School of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on Monday and Wednesday mornings to provide ongoing therapy to several of the students. This arrangement allows them to receive therapy in a familiar setting during the course of the school day rather than after a long day at school. Therapy in the school setting also proves beneficial to parents who work late or have other children to pick up after school. This has been a wonderful way to provide services to children in the local community.

We would like to share our gratitude to the fall 2006 Brockman Fellowship recipients, Erin Jedlanek and Kyra Lepone for a job well done. Both Erin and Kyra worked in the clinic this past fall helping diagnose and treat our  children with speech and language disorders under the supervision of Christine Wandishin and Alison Raver. Erin Jedlanek will continue graduate school at Towson University and Kyra Lepone will continue her graduate studies at the University of Maryland; both anticipate receiving their Master’s Degrees in May 2007. We wish them the best of luck and continued success in the field of communication sciences.

Our clinic family has grown over the past few months. We would like to introduce our new  student receptionists that have helped  maintain and run our clinic this past fall. We welcomed back Lisa Eliopoulos, and Kate Frederico, and hired Eleni Popomaronis, Amy  Hoffman, and Jayme Cappa. These girls are all studying to become speech and language pathologists and we would like to thank them for there help and dedication to the clinic. We couldn’t run the clinic without their support and hard work.  Despite this large team; not all of our operating hours are covered for the winter-spring months. If you know anyone who might be interested in covering a few hours for us, particularly on Tuesday/Thursday afternoon/evening, we’d love to hear from them!

We recently had our 19^th annual Scottish Rite Holiday Party on December 13, 2006. This party has been made possible every year with the help of Mr. Fred Lunn, Mr. Ray Lunn, and the support of the Chesapeake           chapter. Once again the Lunns  arranged for fellow Masons to perform as clowns; food, drinks, and of course the guest of honor…Santa Claus. This year we had an assortment of activities ranging from holiday cookie decorating, to holiday bingo, and various holiday art projects (homemade ornaments, picture frames, cards, etc.) The party began with a delicious treat of pizza and juice and ended successfully with a surprise visit from Santa Claus…played by Mr. Ray Lunn. We would like to thank the Lunns for their contributions to another successful party!

We were thrilled to receive very generous donations to our clinic from both the Warren Lodge and the Eastern Star Group. Their generosity allowed us to purchase evaluation and treatment materials for our clinic that keep us on the cutting edge of the field. Thank you again to both of these groups and to all of the individuals who donate and have donated to the clinic throughout the years.

2006 was an exciting year and we look forward to the year ahead! We wish you all a wonderful, happy, and healthy New Year! We also invite you to come and visit us anytime.

Scottish Rite Mission