
                        Current Interest 

                 GWU Scottish Rite Scholarships 

     To encourage greater response from prospective recipients, 
Scottish Rite Undergraduate Scholarships at The George 
Washington University have been increased. Instead of the 
previously publicized SR/GWU program of $5,000 per scholarship, 
GWU is making available ten Scottish Rite of Freemasonry 
scholarships of $10,000 each ($40,000 over four years) for 
fulltime undergraduates entering the University in September, 
1992. The scholarships apply to any school or department of the 
University. To qualify, students should be the children or 
grandchildren of a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry 
and have achieved academic excellence in high school grades and 
on national standardized tests. Additional scholarship support 
based on need and merit may be arranged as necessary by GWU for 
individuals applying. 

     This is a remarkable opportunity for college-bound 
students interested in studying at a selective private 
university in an urban-residential setting in our nation's 
capital. The George Washington University provides outstanding 
academic and career opportunities for students studying in the 
sciences, business and management, the arts, communications, 
international relations, engineering, and the humanities, 
social sciences, and education. Located in the prestigious 
historic neighborhood of Foggy Bottom, the University claims 
such famous next-door neighbors as the White House, the 
Department of State, the Kennedy Center for the Performing 
Arts, the Lincoln Memorial, and the World Bank. 

    TO BE COMPLETED BY THE SCOTTISH RITE MEMBERS: 

   Please list the name, grade in high school, and address of 
any children or grandchildren who may qualify for this Scottish 
Rite scholarship opportunity. Send this information to: The 
Office of  Enrollment Management, 2121 I Street, N.W., Suite 
102, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 20052. 

   If you have any questions, feel free to contact Tony 
Pallett, Executive Director of Enrollment Management, by 
calling (202) 994-7850. 

+++ 
                 Rights Plaque Dedicated at FBI 

   Ill Clark S. Shoaff, 33, Curator of the J. Edgar Hoover 
Law Enforcement Museum, House of the Temple, participated in 
the Dedication Ceremony of the Bill of Rights Plaque on 
December 10, 1991, at FBI Headquarters in downtown Washington, 
D.C. 

   Federal Judges, Honorable Frank Duplantier and Honorable 
Frank Altimari, representatives of the Judicial Conference of 
the United States Committee on the Bicentennial of the 
Constitution, unveiled this magnificent bronze plaque in the 
Headquarter's courtyard. 

   FBI Director William S. Sessions stated it was truly an 
honor to receive this plaque since the FBI was the only federal 
agency to receive it. He explained it was fitting as 
investigations of violations of an individual's civil rights 
are among the many responsibilities of the Bureau. He invited 
members of the J. Edgar Hoover Foundation, visitors to 
Washington, D.C., and The House of the Temple to stop and see 
the plaque whenever they can. 

+++ 

                      Masonic Editor Dies 


   Bro Jerry E. Marsengill, 32, KCCH, noted Masonic 
editor, writer, and scholar, was called from labor on November 
22, 1991. 

   Bro Marsengill was born in Chariton, Iowa, on April 22, 
1930, and began his Masonic career in Hiram Abiff Lodge No. 
183, Lineville, Iowa, on December 8, 1957. While he was known 
in Iowa as Past Grand Master of the Grand Council, R&SM, and 
Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, RAM, he was 
best known nationally as editor of The Philalethes and Royal 
Arch Mason magazines. 

   In this capacity Bro Marsengill exerted a great influence 
on American Masonic research. Among very many Masonic honors, 
Bro Marsengill has received the Rank and Decoration of a 
Knight Commander of the Court of Honour, General Grand Chapter 
Distinguished Service Medal, and the Purple Cross of the York 
Rite Sovereign College. He was one of the original 40 Fellows 
of the Philalethes Society, the international Masonic research 
society, and served as its President from 1989-1991. 
   His quick wit, personal warmth, and high editorial standards 
will be missed by all. 

+++ 

                   George Washington's Jewel 

   For decades Masonic scholars have searched high and low for 
Brother Washington's Masonic Jewel, but to no avail. Surely, as 
charter Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22 in 1788, a position 
that Washington held for two terms, he would have owned a Past 
Master's Jewel. 

     Tantalizingly, the inventory made after the General's 
death on December 14, 1799, refers to "1 Gold (or other metal) 
antient medal." The misspelling of "ancient" immediately raises 
a flag to the Masonic reader since the term refers to one of 
the two rival Masonic Bodies in the eighteenth century. 

   Now recent research has shown that George's nephew, Howell 
Lewis (1771-1822) purchased from his Aunt Martha's estate in 
1802 one "silver medal" for $25. Howell's childhood home, 
Kenmore, is a house museum in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the 
museum owns the Masonic Jewel shown here. It was given by 
Howell Lewis' great, great grandson and carries a long family 
history of belonging to George Washington. 

   This is an important and exciting find, and the jewel is on 
loan to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial 
Association in the museum provided by the Scottish Rite of 
Freemasonry. It and many other seldom-seen Washington objects 
have been gathered for a special exhibit to be held until June 
30, 1992. For more information, contact the Memorial at 101 
Callahan Drive, Alexandria, VA 22301, (703) 683-2007. 


+++ 
            175th Anniversary of Indivisible Friends 

   While Masonic Bodies sometimes appear as separate entities, 
an event took place recently in New Orleans which shows how 
Masonic organizations often work together in mutual support. 
Most Excellent William H. Thornley, Jr., Grand Master of the 
Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, U.S.A., gathered with 
almost all the other Grand Encampment officers to assist 
Indivisible Friends Commandery No. 1 of New Orleans observe its 
175th Anniversary of continuous operation. 

   Chartered in 1816, Indivisible Friends predates the Grand 
Encampment. It is the oldest Commandery south and west of 
Pennsylvania. It has met through times of peace and turbulence, 
even during the Civil War as well as the great World Wars of 
this century. 

   This year's Commander, John E. Beaumont, 32, KCCH, 
welcomed 110 guests in the elegant Westin Hotel ballroom on 
Canal Street overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown New 
Orleans. 

   During his remarks, Grand Master Thornley discussed the 
theme of "Pride In Our PastFaith In Our Future." He said, 
"Proud of the Masonic heritage which men like George 
Washington, Ben Franklin, General Lafayette bequeathed to 
modern day Masons, the Craft can look forward to increasing 
membership accompanied by a spirit of faith in our future." 

   Among the many prominent Louisiana Scottish Rite Masons 
attending the anniversary celebration were Ill D. Walter 
Jessen, 33, Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Louisiana; 
Bro Harold H. Young, 32, Grand Commander of the Grand 
Commandery of Knights Templar, in Louisiana; Ill James M. 
Walley, 33, Past Grand Commander; and Bro Earl R. Little, 
Jr., 32, KCCH, Past Department Commander of the Grand 
Encampment. 

   The Grand Encampment officers included Blair Mayford, Deputy 
Grand Master; James Ward, Grand Generalissimo; Charles R. 
Neumann; Grand Recorder; and Donald Smith, South Central 
Department Commander. 

+++ 
                    Record Class in Maryland 

   On November 23, 1991, the Cumberland Scottish Rite Bodies 
added another history-making page to their already illustrious 
record: they held the largest class ever, 137 new Masters of 
the Royal Secret! In fact the class was so large it was held at 
the Ali Ghan Shrine Temple where there was more room and ample 
parking available. 

   Ill Bernard E. Rothman, 33, SGIG in Maryland, was on 
hand to share in the event and to congratulate the Brethren on 
this fine achievement. Part of the appeal of the one-day class 
was that it honored Ill A. Wayne Reed, 33, one of the most 
distinguished members of the Valley of Cumberland for over 45 
years! 

   Brother Reed has also served as Grand Master of Masons in 
Maryland, and he is a Past Potentate of Ali Ghan Temple. At age 
91 years young, Brother Reed was happy to attend the Reunion 
and to share his Masonic reminiscences with the class. 

   This record class of the Cumberland Bodies brings the total 
number of new members in the Fall 1991 classes in Maryland to 
627! Maryland's nickname is "The Old Line State," but it is 
clear Maryland's Scottish Rite Brethren are briskly on the move 
and breaking new ground for our Order. 

+++ 
                    Iwo Jima Marine Honored 

   As reported by William W. Price, 32, of the Oakland, 
California, Scottish Rite Bodies, William "Gene" Bull, 32, was 
proud to receive a plaque from the 5th U.S. Marine Division 
Association in recognition and appreciation of exceptional 
service for researching the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima. 
The presentation was made at the 42nd reunion at San Diego, 
California, on September 25-28, 1991. 

   The picture on his right [in the published edition] is a 
depiction of the famous raising of the United States flag over 
Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, and was subsequently the model for the 
national monument in Arlington, Virginia. It is signed with the 
best wishes of Joe Rosenthal, an Associated Press photographer, 
who took the original picture. 

   Gene was a Platoon Sergeant with the 2nd Platoon, "H" 
Company, 3rd Battalion, 28th Regiment, assigned to take Mt. 
Suribachi on those fateful first days. His platoon was part of 
the landing team of over 1,000. The Japanese had allowed the 
first landing group to cross the island and return without any 
opposition. Gene's team was then ordered to land, and just 
before they hit the beach, the enemy opened fire from a great 
number of gun emplacements dug into the heights of Mt. 
Suribachi. 

    The large U.S. Naval force, which consisted of the 3rd, 
4th, and 5th Marine Divisions with attack and support ships, 
was actually headed for Japanese-occupied Okinawa before 
engaging in what was to become a very tragic miscalculation. 
United States intelligence had estimated the landing and 
occupation of Iwo Jima would take only three and one half days. 
That date was February 19, 1945, and what resulted was one of 
the bloodiest battles in the annals of the Corps. 

    From February 19th through March 26th in that fatal year, 
over 6,000 Marine, Navy, Army, and Coast Guard personnel were 
killed or fatally injured, and over 22,000 were wounded. A 
major problem was the lack of available medical care. The 
battle plan originally estimated some 5,000 possible 
casualties, but it was to be six times that much. Due to the 
unpredicted number of casualties, care for the wounded was slow 
and record keeping, almost nonexistent. Platoon Sgt. Eugene 
Bull was among those evacuated due to incapacitating wounds. 

   During the past several years, Brother Gene has become an 
avid genealogist. The unknown fate of some of the men in his 
platoon always bothered him. 

   Further, he wanted the families and friends of those lost 
heroes to know what happened to their loved ones. So he began 
to collect information from any and every source available. 
Soon his efforts included not just his platoon,  but the 
original landing team of over 1,000 men. 

   Also he became deeply concerned that many of those wounded 
without documented medical records have not received the 
medical assistance they so rightfully deserve from the U.S. 
Veterans Administration. For his outstanding dedication, the 
5th U.S. Marine Division recognized his personal efforts with 
the presentation of the plaque and picture. 

   Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz immortalized the brave and 
courageous soldiers who fought those 36 days on Iwo Jima with 
these words of tribute, "To those valiant men, where uncommon 
valor was a common virtue." 

   Brother Gene Bull, 32, is a member of the Sacramento, 
California, Bodies, and Past President of the Chief Solano 
Scottish Rite Club. 

+++ 
             Raleigh Monument Honors Bill of Rights 


   As part of the celebration of the Bicentennial of the United 
States Constitution, the Valley of Raleigh, North Carolina, on 
December 15, 1991, presented the State of North Carolina a 
granite and bronze monument inscribed with the first Ten 
Amendments of the Constitution. 

   This date marked the conclusion of the celebration of the 
Bicentennial of the Constitution, the 200th anniversary of the 
ratification of the Bill of Rights, and the first day of the 
third century of our republic. 

   Prominently located in the Capital Visitors' Center of 
Raleigh, the six-and-one-half-ton monument, in addition to its 
plaque presenting the Bill of Rights, has a second plaque 
noting the donor as the Scottish Rite Brethren of Raleigh. This 
impressive memorial will serve as a continuing tribute to the 
role played by North Carolina in the fight for a guaranteed 
bill of human liberties and to Scottish Rite's commitment to 
supporting these liberties. 

+++ 
                       Award in Arkansas 

   Ill Aaron B. Pierce, 33, SGIG in Arkansas, was 
thrilled to present a Certificate of Honor, accompanied by 
Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht's best wishes in 
a letter of congratulations, to one of Arkansas' most active 
Masons. 

   The recipient, Ill Don Burnett, 33, was completely 
surprised! "I can't understand why I had absolutely no idea," 
he said. Through Bro Burnett's work at the Temple, he knows 
practically everything that happens. Keeping the coveted award 
a secret was a difficult task indeed! 

   The prestigious event took place on December 7, 1991, the 
same night of Arkansas' Thirty-Third Degree Conferral. 
Witnessing the Degree Ritual, Ill Pierce reports the 
performance was delivered with dignity and distinction. Ill 
Joe Clements, 33, stepping into the role of Grand Commander 
for the evening, did a wonderful job. 

   Congratulations to Bro Burnett and the 21 new Thirty-Third 
Degree Masons on their personal accomplishment and fraternal 
dedication. 

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