October Message

Grand Commander’s Message

Pennsylvania Templars:

         By October, summer is a cancelled check.

         By October, May’s raw recruit officers are veterans of multiple conclaves, perhaps bearing the battle scars of a last second vacant officer chair, a too-late-to-replace speaker cancellation, or a nerve rattling surprise dignitary visit.

         By October those officers have tested their Templar mettle against their peers at the section workshops, and many have already stared down a team of flinty eyed inspectors.

         By October, plans for veteran’s day activities should be locked in, and those for Christmas Observances and holiday celebrations in the final stages.

         By October, not only the Templar world has changed. Quarterbacks have replaced shortstops as the sports heroes of the moment, multicolored leaves have supplanted green grass at the top of weekend chore lists, and the gentle itch from wool pants and double breasted tunics has become a welcome fashion accessory.

         By October the elected grand officers and appointed committees have finalized the Elizabethtown Line Officers Seminar, and plans for the December budget meeting, February Division Commander’s Seminar, and even the May 2011 158th Annual Conclave are well under way.

         By October, my term as your Grand Commander is nearing the half way pole. Since assuming the red cords, I have been privileged to crisscross the Commonwealth attending scores of Templar and related Masonic body functions. I have been truly gratified by the effort put forth by the appointed and elected officers and committees in making each and every such event both enjoyable and memorable for myself and Lady Kimberly.

         My journeys have touched Lake Erie, and the Ohio and Delaware Rivers. I have been formally received at section receptions, and less formally shared Masonic picnic potato salad and corn on the cob. I braved the chills of Kennywood Park’s roller-coaster, and survived the heat of July’s wrath while proudly marching in patriotic parades.

         I have attended events while under the sword protection of foreign jurisdictions in Vermont, New York and Maryland, and paid homage to ancestral fraters who fell on the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg.

         One event warrants special elaboration. In late July, I attended the 180th Annual Conclave of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania - Prince Hall Affiliation convened in King of Prussia. This event marked a momentous occasion-for the first time in the annals of Templary, Prospect, Connecticut united with Bellaire, Texas when the Grand Masters of Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the USA, and Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the USA, Prince Hall Affiliation officially shared a common stage. Grand Master William H. Koon II, and Prince Hall Grand Master Homer Buchanan were joined by past and present Grand Officers from numerous jurisdictions, including Pennsylvania Right Eminent Past Grand Commanders John W. Hawk, Leslie J. Loomis, and Rev. William D. Hartman.

         I was personally honored to share the dais with current Right Eminent Grand Commander, Sir James Swinton, his subordinate Pennsylvania Grand Officers, and a number of state wide dignities representing the respective Grand Masonic bodies.

         For several memorable hours, on one historic day, there were no African-American Templars, no European-American Templars, just proud chapeau-plumed Templars filling an asylum, united in the bonds of fraternal brotherly love.

         At a time when our country is divisively split over so many issues, perhaps our ancient and noble fraternity will serve as one small, but permanent, bridge across the abyss of prejudice and intolerance.

         Finally, I strongly encourage each Pennsylvania Sir Knight to exercise your most fundamental and precious American right by voting on November 2.

         All Sir Knights are called to serve in their Constituent Commanderies, some in Grand Commandery and a few in Grand Encampment. But for all Sir Knights a Key Word is INTEGRITY and is expressed as follows.

"Be strong! We are not here just to play, to dream, to drift.
We have hard work to do and loads to lift.
Shun not the struggle: face it - 'tis God's gift.
Say not the days are evil - who's to blame?
And hold the hands and acquiesce - O shame!
Stand up, speak out, and bravely, in God's Name.
Faint not, fight on! Tomorrow comes the song.
Be strong. Be strong!”