Willmar Minnesota

Willmar Minnesota, ever been there? Well there is not much there to see or do, but this past weekend was a lot of fun in Willmar. The Grand Commandery of Minnesota held its Grand Conclave there and they do have fun up north.

I played my role as the chauffeur for the Grand Captain of the Host of the Grand Chapter RAM of Iowa and my mother. We arrived Thursday late afternoon after I had got off from work. 6 hour drive, with road construction. We met up with some other Iowans and had a good dinner in the hotel, before going to the hospitality room. It seems all Grand Conclaves have great hospitality rooms and Minn is no exception. Just what I need more food. Hope my uniform fits after this year LOL!! That night I had mixed emotions, seems my reputation as an expert cribbage player was being challenged! And I wasn't living up to the challenge. Ended up only down a couple games, but that was playing against two Minnesotans.

The next day was their Grand Commandery. SK Bruce, GC, did a good job and their business session went well. That night was the Grand Banquet for all three York Rite Grands. Having all three in one banquet is just to much, they keep introductions and presentations to a minimum, but still my eyes wanted to shut and my rear was hurting from sitting so long. A surprise was when of my good friends from there received the Knight Templar Cross of Honor. I had received this award over ten years ago, and count it as one of if not the most meaningful to me, as it cannot be bought or applied for, only earned. This same Sir Knight was elected to the bottom of their Grand Line , the start at Grand Junior Warden, where here in Iowa we start at Grand Captain General. This man is just a little older than me and we share many same interests including putting around a golf course.

While in Minnesota I met a new Sir Knight, Justin, he was knighted Wed night before the beginning of Conclave. He and his wife had never been to a Grand Commandery Conclave and were really having a great time. He hadn't played cribbage in a long time, but by the third night he had no trouble counting his 12 or 16 hands by himself. I learned from him and his wife what it was to experience Conclave for the first time. I have been going to these things since birth, so their perception is important. They would have brought their two kids had they known other kids would be there (there were lots of kids and grand kids there) and that the hotel let them buy their meals as kids from the restaurant. Maybe us higher ups have forgot what is like to be a new young Sir Knight with a family? Do we want our families involved? Maybe we should make sure and accommodate some of their needs.
It was a good time, great friends some old, some new, and some new insights.

Red Oak and Ames Cornerstones

Friday June 19th 11 Sir Knights formed the lines for the Grand Lodge of Iowa laying a Cornerstone for the new Willson Performing Arts Center in Red Oak Iowa. Sir Knight Gene Hatfield, District Commander and Grand Warder, took charge and did an outstanding job.

Saturday June 27th The Grand Lodge of Iowa layed a Cornerstone for the new Social Securtiy Office in Ames Iowa. Sir Knight Kevin Christians, District Commander and Grand 2nd Guard was in command of the 12 Sir Knights who formed the lines.

I am so pleased with the great turn out from the Sir Knights and Grand Officers if Iowa at these Cornerstone events. These are our best public events, to show off our swords, uniforms, and feather hats. It is interesting the comments and questions the general public make about who we are. I was at a cornerstone for a school in Keosaqua a few years back. There was an elderly woman there who remembered those men in the feather hats from her childhood when they came to lay the cornerstone for her school, many many years ago. We don't always know what someone notices or remembers. Let each of us continue to make a good impression for Templarly and Masonry.

Thanks to all who attend these and future cornerstones. I was unable to be at Red Oak or Ames as I was attending out of state Grand Commandery Conclaves. I commend those appointed to take charge, job well done Sir Knights!

Wisconsin Grand york Rite Session

Here we are, in Greenbay Wisconsin. After a long 8 hour drive through rain and construction I arrived in Greenbay at 11 pm last night, got checked into the hotel and slept in this morning.

I have heard many different opinions about attending out of state sessions for the Grand York Rite Bodies. Personally I enjoy them as a mini vacation, but do wonder why I take off work, drive many many miles, pay $30 for banquets, just to be introduced. Yes, my priority is first and foremost the state of our Grand Commandery and local Commanderies in Iowa, so why attend other states? Yes, it is an ego trip, people like to be recognized, honored, etc. But there is more to it than that. Part of it is the mutual recognition between the states, the friendships that you form with people you may only see once or twice a year. Most important is the information you gain from hearing about their jurisdictions accomplishments and challenges. New ideas don't have to be formed in-house, we can copy what works for others or learn what didn't work for them. To me, other than the ego thing, this is what I like to get out of out of state visits. A sharing of ideas.
I am proud to tell them of Iowa's accomplishments. To represent the Sir Knights and Masons of Iowa in a positive and professional manner is an enjoyable part of being your Grand Commander, and for that I thank each and every Sir Knight of Iowa and pray that I fulfill the responsibilities before me.

Dickinson County Courthouse Cornerstone

WOW!!! What a day for Iowa Masonry. Sunday afternoon the Grand Lodge laid the cornerstone for the new Dickinson County Courthouse (Already built). Flags were waving, people we enjoying themselves, and lots of pictures were being taken. The Grand Commandery had 19 Sir Knights form the lines and lead the procession. Thanks Sir Knights, what a way to start the year with our first cornerstone. The weather was near perfect, not to hot with a mild breeze. The Grand Master and Grand Officers did their usual good job, the Grand Marshal even made the proclimation to the right directions.....

The next cornerstone is Friday June 19th in Red Oak for the new Wilson Performing Arts Center, 300 Commerce Drive. Grand Lode opens at 6 PM with cornerstone at 7 PM. Everyone welcome, especially Sir Knights in Uniform.

Again may thanks to all who have jump started This Templar Year, "Our Days of Glory"

Temple No. 4 Inspection

What a night. Last evening Temple Commandery No. 4 in Des Moines held its annual inspection.
The Sir Knights did an outstanding job opening the commandery, even better than their first place finish at the competition at Grand Commandery. It was touching to be received as Grand Commander in my home commandery under an arch of steel for the first time.

S.K. Rust did an outstanding job as the commander for the Order of the Temple, it was his first time doing the entire part. The other officers did good also, but I tend to expect perfection, so more practice is due for them.

Inspections and our ritual and tactics are important. The ritual is how we communicate our legends, our history, our teachings. To impress the candidate is our ultimate goal. To inspire within him something new, something worth being a part of. As a Christian Order this inspiration has even greater meaning. It reminds me of a song I heard today, "Everybody wants to go to heaven, but no one wants to die." Let our teachings remind each of us that we are born to die, and the wisest noeth not how soon, but our labors while here on earth are worthy of favor in the life to come, with our blessed Saviour.
Peace be with thee.

"Our Days Of Glory"

The 145 annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Iowa has ended. What a wonderful time. It was my pleasure on Saturday morning to be installed as Grand Commander for the ensuing Templar year. As the year begins I look upon our rich past, "our days of glory", from those noble crusaders to those men who have been called to lead our Order through the ages, those ages are past and we are now in a new saga of "Our Days of Glory".

There are four points to remember this year:

1.MEMBERSHIP

2. Ritual and Tactics

3. Philanthropy

4. FUN