Supreme Council Session

Last Saturday morning Nat, mom, dad, and I flew to Washington DC for the Supreme Council Session for the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction. I have been to DC many times before, but Nat had never been there. This is one of my favorite masonic events to attend. It only happens every two years. After checking into the Capital Hilton Hotel, we unpacked and prepared for the next five days. I have many friends from across the country whom I only see at this Session. I had to miss our annual Red Cross of Constantine meeting and the Grand Master's reception, but it is impossible to be everywhere. Saturday night a wonderful man, and a good friend from Georgia, Bernie, took a group out to dinner. He has done this for the past 4 biennial sessions. We had a fabulous dinner at Morton's Steakhouse in DC. From the jumbo jumbo shrimp, bacon wrapped large scallops, fresh crab cakes, and shrimp Alexander for appetizers, to the fine choice of salads, to the main entrees of double cut fillet Mignon, new york strip, salmon, or chicken, ending with three decadent desserts, the meal was wonderful. Thanks to Bernie, a good man, a good mason, and a good friend.

For me this trip is about reuniting old friendships and making some new ones. There was Woody, who will be installed Grand Master of Louisiana in Feb, John from St. Louis, a true kidder and joy to be around (John the tie is in the mail LOL), to the California girls, a new friend from Florida and another from New Mexico. Of course there was Ed from Penn, Billy from Ohio, and many many more. I have had the privilege to meet and get to know several SGIG's beyond Iowas. Several of the SGIG's had dinner with us Sat night, including the Sovereign Grand Commander, Ronald Seale. They also joined our group for brunch Sunday at the Hay Adams across the street from the White House. Here are some pics taken from the Hay Adams roof top terrace.

Nat and Me

Dad, Mom, Nat, and Me

SGIG in Iowa Gary and Carol

SGIG in Arkansas, his grandson and Earl Ihle of the Supreme Council

Sunday's brunch was hosted by brother Butch of Texas, he and his wife were wonderful hosts. Again we ate like royalty. That afternoon was the opening reception in the St. Regis Hotel. The Sovereign Grand Commander and his lady greeted each person. There was plenty of fine appetizers and wonderful finger desserts. We didn't eat to much, still recovering from brunch an hour before. Nat and I then walked around DC. Our hotel was just four blocks from the white house, so we wandered there and were escorted out of a park. Must have been someone coming or going from the White House. That night we ate at one of my favorite places, The Capital Grille. They have the best french fries, parmesan truffle fries, I ate 2 servings with my crusted butter bone in sirloin.

Monday was the session for The Supreme Council (Mother Council of the World) of the Inspectors General Knights Commanders of the House of the Temple of Solomon of the Thirty-third Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America. I learned that that is the official name in the act of congress with reference to the Supreme Council. This session is solely ceremonial. All the business was conducted in closed executive session. This is true pomp and circumstance, almost regal in its ceremonies. While a bit boring, it is fascinating to see so many states and countries meeting together as Freemasons. There were 32 sitting Grand Masters of their respective Grand Lodges in attendance, that is 32 from a possible 35 total. Unfortunately Iowa's Grand Master was unable to attend. To bad as he would have been royally received. There were 28 different countries in attendance. It truly proves Masonry is universal in its reach, scope, and teachings. Of interest is that everyone, including women are invited to this session. There was no voting or official business transacted. There were several committee reports given and several visitors addressed the audience. Then we had lunch. Then we rested for a couple hours before the reception that evening. After the reception we loaded buses for the Kennedy Center. I had never been to the Kennedy Center before. It is a very large place, next to the Watergate Hotel. The show was "shear madness" and that is what it was, madness. Five SGIG's were asked to take part in the show and did an amazing job. One (a real dentist) had to act like a doctor reading a coroners report on the person murdered. The others (all lawyers) plead the case of innocence for their "clients" accused of the murder to the jury (the audience).

It was a lot of fun and laughs.

Tuesday was more for relaxing and getting ready for the formal banquet that evening. Mom, dad, Nat, and I visited the House of the Temple. Dad is honored with his portrait in the House of the Temple. We took a pic of us with his portrait.

Nat and I got a special tour of the House of the Temple. But I think I knew more than the tour guide. I knew that the little sword with the diamond in it was Burl Ives's toothpick, one of my favorite objects in the Burl Ives's collection. Also got to see my favorite 33rd ring, a large triangular diamond that reflects 33 when look through by the right angle. The House of the Temple is the headquarters for the Supreme Council and is filled with many many things. That afternoon I sent Nat on the Metro (DC's subway). She had never been on a subway before and really wanted me to go, but I didn't have time. She made it okay...all the way to the mall and back.

The Grand Commander's banquet ended the session Tuesday night. It was in many ways the usual Masonic banquet, but in many ways was not. The food was so so, average for a large banquet. The moving orchestra was great. There were no introductions of dignitaries, only the new Grand Crosses, and a speech from a nine year old girl who attends a Rite Care Clinic in DC. The main speaker was unable to attend. He did however send a letter of which copies were placed at each seat, explaining that he would have liked to have been with us, but his schedule did not allow it. The letter was signed by Dan Brown. Yes that Dan Brown, to bad he couldn't have made it as I would have enjoyed hearing him speak, maybe in the future.

Wednesday we were on our own. We got back to Des Moines at 9PM tired, full, and happy.