JUNE 2000

GRAND COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

Sir Knights, our 106th Grand Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida is behind us and we are looking forward to the 107th chapter of our chivalric history. I invite each and every Sir Knight to be active in their Commanderies and become a part of this historic year.

Nearly 250 Sir Knights with their ladies traveled to Daytona Beach for another interesting gathering of Florida York Rite Masons. It was a great honor to have Sir Knight James M. Ward, Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the USA, head a list of distinguished guests visiting our Grand Commandery. Your Grand Commandery was called to order on Monday, May 22nd, conducted businesss, presented awards, and then held elections and installation of officers.

The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons convened on Tuesday, May 23rd, conducted their business, and elected and installed Virgil P. Brown, Jr. of Titusville as the new Most Excellent Grand High Priest. On Wednesday, May 24th, the Grand Council of Royal & Select Masters assembled, attended to their businesss, and then elected and installed Richard S. Agster of Tampa as the new Most Illustrious Grand Master. I look forward to traveling and working with both of these outstanding and dedicated York Rite Masons in the months ahead, as, together, we move into the first year of an exciting and new century in York Rite Masonry in Florida.

For his contributions to Templary, Sir Knight Frank Buell of Trinity Commandery No. 16, Palmetto, was awarded the Knights Templar Cross of Honor. Congratulations, Sir Knight Frank. At the end of this calendar year, I encourage every Commandery in Florida to nominate one of their outstanding Sir Knights for this annual award for service to Templary and community achievement.

Congratulations to Coeur de Lion Commandery No. 1, Pensacola, for winning the Ramsdell Trophy for the second consecutive year. A Commandery must put in long hours of practice of opening and closing in full form and conferring the Order of the Temple. I encourage all Commanderies to strive to compete for this honor.

Congratulations are also in order for Springtime Commandery No. 40, Clearwater, for winning the Sir Francis Drake Award which is based on the report of the District Deputy Grand Commanders on the General Condition of a Commandery.

Your Grand York Rite Officers have scheduled District Meetings around the state this year so that we can meet each of you, to get to know you better, and learn what we can do for you. The Dustrict Meetings for August are listed below in hopes that you will matk your calendar and attend. The District Deputy Grand Commanders will determine the exact location of the meeting.

AUGUST 25, District 6, Melbourne at 7:00pm
AUGUST 26, District 1, TBD at 1:00 pm

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