Ambassador William J. Crowe, Jr., Receives Thirty-Third Degree

On December 20, 1996, many distinguished Brethren gathered in the Executive Chamber of the House of the Temple to participate in a special Thirty-third Degree Investiture Ceremony for Brother William J. Crowe, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to England. Among them (l. to r.) were Illustrious Bros. : William L. Fox, Grand Historian and Grand Archivist; Bernard E. Rothman, S.G.I.G., Maryland; Harry E. Echols, Jr., Secretary, Washington, DC; Ambassador William J. Crowe, Jr.; Russell M. Stogsdill, Past Superintendent, House of the Temple; Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht; John W. Boettjer, G.C., Managing Editor, Scottish Rite Journal; Walter S. Downs, G.C., Personal Representative and Secretary, Alexandria, Virginia; Dr. S. Brent Morris, Editor of Heredom for the Scottish Rite Research Society; David Kruger, S.G.I.G. in Virginia and Grand Secretary General; Charles S. Iversen, S.G.I.G., Washington, DC; W. Gene Sizemore, Grand Executive Director, G.C.; and Martin D. Carlin, G.C., Past Personal Representative and Secretary, Washington, DC. Also attending the cermony but not pictured was Illustrious Brother Ray L. Bunnell, Superintendent, House of the Temple.

On December 20, 1996, Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33, welcomed Brother William J. Crowe, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to England, to the House of the Temple to participate in a Thirty-third Degree Investiture Ceremony held in the Executive Chamber and attended by a number of welcomed Brother William J. Crowe, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to England, to the distinguished Scottish Rite Brethren. Ambassador Crowe was elected by The Supreme Council to receive the 33 during the 1995 Biennial Session but could not be present for a formal ceremony because of his many obligations abroad.

A member of Amity Lodge No. 473, Oklahoma City, and the Scottish Rite Bodies of Guthrie, Oklahoma, Ambassador Crowe was born in Kentucky in 1925 and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1946. He later obtained a Master of Arts in Education from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in Politics from Princeton University.

Capping a long and distinguished naval career, Ambassador Crowe served as Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Command. Prior to that, he was Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe, and Commander-in-Chief, United States Naval Forces Europe. Ambassador Crowe (then Admiral Crowe) was appointed the eleventh Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense, by President Ronald Reagan on October 1, 1985. He was reappointed to the second two-year term in 1987. In that capacity he served as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council.

Following his retirement from military service in 1989, Ambassador Crowe served as a counselor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, and as a professor of geopolitics at the University of Oklahoma. He also joined the Boards of Directors of Texaco, Merrill Lynch, Pfizer, Norfolk and Southern, and General Dynamics. He was appointed by President Clinton as Chairman of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (PFIAB). He has also been a Director of the Council on Foreign Relations and Chairman of the Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador William J. Crowe, Jr. was nominated by President Clinton on March 22, and confirmed by the Senate on May 12, and sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on May 19, 1994.

Illustrious David Kruger, S.G.I.G. In Virginia, 50-Year Mason
On December 12, 1996, Brethren gathered in Alexandria, Virginia, to congratulate Illustrious David Kruger, S.G.I.G. in Virginia, on his attaining the half-century mark of service to Freemasonry.

Illustrious Kruger was raised a Master Mason on January 31, 1946 in Norfolk Lodge No. 1, Norfolk, Virginia, and later became a dual member of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, John Blair Lodge No. 187, and Skidmore Daylight Lodge No. 237, all in Alexandria. He served Skidmore Daylight Lodge as its Master in 1989.

On May 28, 1946, Illustrious Kruger extended his service to the Craft by petitioning the Scottish Rite Bodies of Alexandria, Virginia, later becoming a dual member in the Valley of Guthrie, Oklahoma, on December 4, 1986. For his many services to his community, the Craft and our Order, he was invested a K.C.C.H. in 1953 and coroneted a 33 I.G.H. in 1963. Appointed Grand Tyler in 1975 and a Deputy of The Supreme Council for Virginia in October 21, 1983, he was elected S.G.I.G. of Virginia in October 23, 1985, and Grand Secretary General of The Supreme Council, 33, in October 18, 1989.

Pictured at the recent 50-Year Pin ceremony for Illustrious David Kruger, S.G.I.G. in Virginia and Grand Secretary General, are (l. to r.): M.W. Alan W. Adkins, 32, K.C.C.H., Grand Master of Virginia; Illustrious Donald M. Robey, 33, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, The George Washington Masonic National Memorial; Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33; Dr. Kruger's son, J. Perry Kruger, Master Mason; Illustrious David Kruger, and Illustrious Bernard E. Rothman, S.G.I.G. in Maryland.

To mark the 50-year milestone of his outstanding Masonic career, Illustrious Kruger hosted a reception/dinner at his home prior to attending a Stated Meeting of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 at The George Washington Masonic National Memorial (GWMNM). At the Memorial, a large assemblage of Brethren, friends, and invited Masonic dignitaries, including eight Past Grand Masters, paid special honor to Illustrious Kruger noting, in particular, his many contributions to Masonry's inter-faith message and the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Program.

M.W. Alan W. Adkins, 32, K.C.C.H., Grand Master of Virginia, said Illustrious Kruger represented "a strong bridge between Blue Lodge and Scottish Rite Freemasonry in Virginia" and demonstrated the theme of the Grand Master's year, "Investing In Mankind." Also, Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33, spoke of his 45-year-long friendship with Illustrious Kruger, saying he is "a Brother who is always there, whatever the cause, to give advice and assistance. Dave is really special, a friend and Brother I will always treasure." As a token of The Supreme Council's regard, Grand Commander Kleinknecht presented Illustrious Kruger with an elegantly engraved crystal vase. In an eloquent response, Illustrious Kruger said Masonry has shown him a way of life he will never forget and has given more to him in 50 years than he could repay in three lifetimes.

Among the many Masonic dignitaries attending the festive occasion were: Illustrious Bros. W. Gene Sizemore, G.C., Grand Executive Director; John W. Boettjer, G.C., Managing Editor, Scottish Rite Journal; Walter S. Downs, G.C., Personal Representative and Secretary, Alexandria, Virginia; and Illustrious Donald M. Robey, 33, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, GWMNM, who conferred Illustrious Kruger's 50-Year Pin in perfect form.

New Video Worth Sharing
Illustrious George H. Hohenshildt, 33, Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and Chairman of the Masonic Renewal Committee of North America, says it best in describing the Committee's new "Friend to Friend" videotape: "It is a powerful educational tool that defines, in the simplest and most articulate manner, who Masons are, what Masons believe, and what Masons do."

The new videotape's message, that Freemasonry is "the world's premiere men's organization," is conveyed with computer-generated graphics, colorful live-action vignettes, and a dynamic voice-over narration sure to catch any viewer's attention - and keep it - during the videotape's short 15-minute time span.

Designed for individual Masons personally to share with their friends, this new production of the Masonic Renewal Committee can be an effective tool for membership enhancement and retention. As the cover of the videotape notes, the idea is for the viewer to "Please return this video to the Mason who shared it with you." This Brother-to-Brother, Friend-to-Friend, approach gives a unique personal touch to the tape. Every Freemason should have a copy of this video to share with his friends and to be enjoyed by their families.

To get - and share - your copy, send checks payable to The Masonic Renewal Committee of North America to 10200 N. Executive Hills Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64153 or call 888-891-8235. The cost is only $9.95 plus $3.90 domestic shipping and handling (total $13.85), with large quantity discounts for fundraising available.

GW Memorial Windows Honor Outstanding Brethren
In 1989, it became necessary to replace the 42 tower windows of The George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia. The original casings of the 44-feet-tall single-pane windows had deteriorated, and some windows were on the verge of collapse. Each new window has rot-resistant casing and double-pane tinted glass for maximum energy conservation. The money to cover this $320,000 project was borrowed from the Permanent Endowment Fund of the Memorial. The idea was to ask Grand Lodges, other Masonic organizations, and individuals to reimburse the Memorial for this expenditure by funding windows to honor a loved one or a worthy member in their organization. Only 16 of the windows have been dedicated to date in this manner.

In 1993, for example, the Brethren in the Greenville area of North Carolina, collectively donated funds to pay for a window recognizing M.W. Jerry G. Tart, 33, Valley of Greenville, for his work in serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Association and as State Chairman in North Carolina. Later that same year, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina funded a window in honor of their Grand Lodge.

Given the outstanding Scottish Rite service of Illustrious Bros. Jerry G. Tart, Robert "Pete" Dudley and Bunn T. Phillips, Jr., it is appropriate that windows honoring them are in the Scottish Rite Museum, one of the most impressive display and resource areas in the Memorial.

Early in 1996, R.W. Robert "Pete" Dudley , 33, the Grand Secretary of North Carolina since 1974, had to retire for health reasons. In his honor, two windows were purchased to show the great love of the friends of this prominent Brother and to assist the Memorial in retiring the debt owed to the Permanent Fund. The family of Illustrious Tart funded the first window, which was also dedicated in honor of M.W. Bunn T. Phillips, Jr., 33, Valley of Charlotte, a Past Grand Master of North Carolina. The second window was paid for by the collective contributions of many of "Pete" Dudley's friends from all over North Carolina.

Illustrious Dudley served the Grand Lodge of North Carolina for over 34 years in various capacities. Also, in 1993 he was President of the Grand Secretaries Conference of North America. At every opportunity, he and Illustrious Tart promoted the Memorial. Though Brother "Pete" passed away on October 3, 1996, he had the opportunity to know about the windows being dedicated in his honor before he was admitted to the Celestial Lodge Above.

The contributions made by everyone to the replacement of the Memorial's windows are deeply appreciated, and suitably engraved brass plaques mark each window. For more information on this worthy project, please contact Illustrious Donald M. Robey, Executive Secretary-General, The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, by writing to the Memorial at: 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22301. Tel 701-683-2007 Fax 703-519-9270.

North-South Reunion Announced
The Davenport, Iowa, Valley of the Southern Jurisdiction and the Moline, Illinois, Valley of the Northern Jurisdiction have announc- ed a joint Reunion to be held in Moline on March 21-22, 1997, for conferral of the Scottish Rite Degrees.

Two other Valleys (Clinton, Iowa, and Peoria, Illinois) will also perform Degrees at the Reunion. The joint Reunion is believed to be the first of its kind combining Degree work of both the Northern and Southern Jurisdictions. A general announcement of the event is being sent to Lodges in Illinois and Iowa, and all Scottish Rite Valleys in both states are encouraged to provide candidates.

There are some differences in the Ritual between the Northern and Southern Jurisdictions, and the titles of some of the offices are also different. Consequently, this joint Reunion between the two Jurisdictions will provide members with a broader knowledge of Scottish Rite Masonry as well as some insight into differences between the Jurisdictions.

Also, three Shrine Temples will have a short-form ceremonial for induction of those candidates who wish to join the Shrine. The three Temples cooperating in this ceremonial are Kaaba of Davenport, Tabala of Rockford, Illinois, and Mohammed of Peoria, Illinois.

Questions concerning applications for the Degrees in this special joint Reunion may be directed to the Davenport Scottish Rite Bodies: P.O. Box 3627, Davenport, IA 52808-3627 Tel: 319-323-4964 Fax: 319-323-8245.

Outstanding Fall Reunions In Arkansas, Kansas, And California
Among others, three Scottish Rite Valleys in the Southern Jurisdiction had outstanding 1996 Fall Reunions, each a one-day class that garnered an impressive number of candidates. In Little Rock, Arkansas, for instance, primary credit for the successful Statewide Fall Reunion must go to Illustrious Dwane F. Treat, 33, S.G.I.G. in Arkansas, who initiated an effective follow-up program. First, a letter enclosing a copy of the Reunion program was sent to each petitioner in the three Valleys participating - Little Rock, Fort Smith, West Memphis. Then, seven days prior to the event, the petitioner received another letter which was copied to his first-line signer. The result can be seen in the photo next page - 420 candidates!

Also, M.W. Carveth K. Neer's "Grand Master's All The Way In One Day Class," November 2, 1996, brought 462 candidates from 32 Kansas Lodges and two Arizona Lodges to the Fraternity. Illustrious Thomas C. Raum, Jr., 33, S.G.I.G. in Kansas and Grand Chancellor, reports the class resulted in the highest number of candidates in recent times for the Valley of Wichita or the Orient of Kansas. See article by M.W. Neer, 32, K.C.C.H., "Unlocking the Door of the 21st Century," page 56 of this issue.

Top honors for the most candidates among Fall 1996 Reunions in the Southern Jurisdiction, however, go to the Valley of Los Angeles, California, where Illustrious H. Douglas Lemons, 33, S.G.I.G. in California and Lt. Grand Commander, reports the "One-Day Scottish Rite/Shrine Unity Class" gathered 571 candidates. This is double the usual number of candidates and can be attributed to a new membership program developed in California.

Congratulations, Brethren! Via dynamic membership development and retention programs, you and Brothers in other Valleys in the Southern Jurisdiction can truly unlock the 21st Century for Masonry and our Order!

Brother's Radiator Bagged
For 52 years, the Shoshone Indians have welcomed distinguished sportsmen to their tribal lands in Wyoming for the One-Shot Antelope Hunt. The Governors of Wyoming and Colorado are the traditional hosts of the hunt, and on September 21, 1996, in Lander, Wyoming, the Governor of Mississippi also participated along with the well-known actors Peter Fonda and Larry Hagman, the latter the infamous "J.R." of the Dallas television series.

In the past, such famous Masons as Roy Rogers and "Buzz" Aldrin have participated. Also attending was a brother of Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, Illustrious Kenneth S. Kleinknecht, 33, who invited two attorneys to join him in the hunt: Dennis Bonner, a prospective member of the Fraternity, and Brother John V. Egan III, 32, a Past Master of Highlands Lodge No. 86 of Denver, a member of the Grand Lodge Jurisprudence Committee, and a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Denver.

The event began with a greeting from a Shoshone Chief and a tribal Medicine Man. The hunt supports the Water for Wildlife Foundation. One of the purposes of the foundation is to drill wells (some 30 now existing) in arid areas and to construct "guzzlers" to collect dew in order to provide water for wildlife. Funds from the hunt are also used in other ways to preserve wildlife and the natural habitat.

The object of the hunt is to bag an antelope with the first shot. However, instead of an antelope, Dennis Bonner shot the radiator of Illustrious Kleinknecht's vehicle! The truck was parked at an upward angle to the side of a cowpath. Sighting through the rifle's scope (set to converge at 200 yards), Bonner fired with the weapon resting on a fender of Illustrious Kleinknecht's truck. Bonner never saw the truck through the scope. Nevertheless, the bullet went through the truck's hood and hit the filler reservoir near the cap on the radiator - which began leaking a steady stream of water. As the would-be hunters hightailed it back to Lander, Wyoming, they had to stop every five miles to fill the radiator.

The score: one notch - for a radiator - on Bonner's rifle and a win for the antelope herds benefited by the hunt and the Water for Wildlife Foundation! Brother Egan, despite this unexpected outcome to the hunt, continues to inform Dennis Bonner about Freemasonry through the Colorado Pilot Lodge Program. Colorado's Highland Lodge No. 86, for instance, recently co-hosted a Pilot Lodge Program in which participating Lodges raised 186 new Master Masons.

The Colorado Pilot Lodge Program has been a success since its initial approval by the Colorado Grand Lodge membership. Brother Egan believes that the continued strong presence of Freemasonry in Colorado will be dependent upon programs such as the Pilot Lodge Program and implementation of other membership programs, such as a One-Day Grand Master's Class.

Iowans Work On Memorial

Scottish Rite Masons had a prominent role in deveoping and dedicating a new World War II memorial (pictured left) on the grounds of the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.

Of the 30 members who formed the committee to conceive and construct the Iowa WW II Memorial, eight were Scottish Rite Freemasons. The $740,000 memorial was dedicated on November 11, 1996, on the grounds of the Iowa state Capitol in Des Moines.

A previous memorial dedicated in 1991 to Iowans at Pearl Harbor is located at the entrance to the new World War II Memorial. A 100-foot granite walkway includes inscriptions which trace the progress of the war and lead up to the most prominent feature of the monument - a 35-foot stainless steel flame. A xeon light beam projects from the center of the flame into the night sky.

Eleven panels of stainless steel on the back wall of the Memorial make up the "walls of memories." One panel includes the nine Iowans who won the Medal of Honor including their citations and a photo of each etched in the stainless steel. Other panels include newspaper headlines, letters, photos, and quotations concerning every aspect of the war. Two panels each represent the home front, the American Theater, the Asiatic- Pacific Theater, and the African- European Theater. Performing before a crowd of over a 1,000 on November 10, 1996, a newly organized All-Iowa Veterans Military Band, directed by Karl Killinger, 32, K.C. C.H., played its premier concert honoring the new Memorial Monument and Iowa's Veterans. The band was the idea of Brother Vern Hintze, 32, and is believed to be the only one of its kind in the country. Fifteen of the 63 members are Scottish Rite Masons. Of those, 22 had played in military bands in the service.

Illustrious Francis G. Paul, 33, 1921-1996

Illustrious Paul was born on September 11, 1921, in Easton, Pennsylvania, attended Admiral Farragut Naval Academy in Toms River, New Jersey, and graduated from Cornell University at Ithaca, New York, in 1946. At Cornell, he was an Honor Student, member of the U.S. Army ROTC, and very active in athletics and his fraternity, Sigma Nu. During WW II, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator, in the U.S. Army Air Force, and his bomb group received the Presidential Commendation Award. After joining the IBM Corporation, during his 38-year career with the company, he rose to the post of Corporate Resident Manager, New York area, before his retirement in 1984.

Raised a Master Mason in Friendship Lodge No. 153, Smithboro, New York, in 1948, Illustrious Brother Paul served his Lodge as Master and the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in many offices. In 1961, Illustrious Brother Paul joined the Scottish Rite, Valley of Binghamton, New York, and Kalurah Shrine Temple, serving as its Potentate in 1986. He was also active in the York Rite, Cryptic Masonry, Royal Order of Scotland, DeMolay, and Red Cross of Constantine. Non-Masonic activities included Boy Scouts, Cornell University, Heart Fund, Methodist Homes for the Aging, and the Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Created a 33 S.G.I.G. Honorary in 1973, he was crowned an Active Member of the Supreme Council, N.M.J., in 1973, elected Deputy for the state of New York in 1981, elected Grand Lieutenant Commander in 1981, and advanced to the post of Sovereign Grand Commander in 1985. During his term in office, Grand Commander Paul worked closely with the Southern Jurisdiction in many areas, and Grand Commander Kleinknecht, with Scottish Rite Masons everywhere, mourns the loss of this good and great Brother.

Illustrious Kenneth E. Waddell, 33, Grand Cross, 1929-1996
On November 26, 1996, Illustrious Brother Kenneth E. Waddell, 33, G.C., Past Deputy for Missouri, passed away in Harlingen, Texas. At the time of his death, he was serving as Orient Personal Representative to the S.G.I.G. in Missouri and President of the Scottish Rite Foundation. Illustrious Waddell was born in Lebanon, Missouri, on May 31, 1929. After receiving his M.D. Degree at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1953 and serving his residency in at the Mayo Clinic, he established a distinguished private practice in Springfield and participated in many important public health related programs. Active in the public school system, Boy Scouts, Rotary and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Illustrious Waddell was also a dedicated Mason. Be became a member of Grandfield, Oklahoma, Lodge No. 378, in 1950, and served Pleasant Hope Lodge as Master in 1984. After joining the Scottish Rite, Valley of Joplin, in 1964, he served as President of the Metropolitan Scottish Rite Club of Springfield in 1968 and as Master of the Scottish Rite Consistory, Valley of Joplin, in 1973. For his many services to our Order, he was invested a K.C.C.H., 1969; coroneted a 33, I.G.H., 1973; appointed Deputy of The Supreme Council for Missouri, 1988; Orient Personal Representative, 1989; and received the Grand Cross in 1991. In May 1996, Illustrious Waddell received the Life Achievement Award from the Scottish Rite Foundation of Missouri in recognition of his guidance during the development and expansion of the Orient's Childhood Language Disorders Program.

Illustrious Waddell was also a member of the Order of DeMolay (receiving the Legion of Honor), Eastern Star, Knights Templar, Cryptic Masons, and Royal Arch Masons. He was especially active in the Shrine following his initiation into Abou Ben Adhem Temple in 1964. Elected to the Board of Trustees of this Temple in January 1980, he served until 1982 and was then elected Treasurer in 1983. Recognizing him as one of the outstanding Shriners of the decade, his fellow Nobles named a Shrine Class in his honor. Illustrious Kenneth E. Waddell, 33, Grand Cross, was an outstanding man and Brother who will be deeply missed.