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AND A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL
Profile York Rite College No. 100 was the host of a well-attended Testimonial for Companion Knight Wallace F. Emerson, Charter Member, Past Pre-eminent Governor and Eminent Secretary Emeritus of the College. The dinner and testimonial program was held in the Masonic Temple at Concord on Saturday, September 29, 2007. The event was a total surprise to Companion Knight Emerson, who was told that the event was being held to honor our new Right Eminent Grand Commander Sir Knight Allen L. Ilsley, who was recently installed into that office. It was not until he noticed a large number of his family members in attendance that Companion Knight Emerson came to realize that HE was the real Guest of Honor!
Wally and Joyce
The dining room was filled to capacity, and a delicious roast beef dinner was enjoyed by all. The group then moved to the Lodge Room where the Master of Ceremonies described the extensive Masonic credentials of the Honoree. Space does not allow the full listing to appear on these pages, but highlights include the following:
Raised in Naval Lodge No. 184, Kittery, Maine 1957
Affiliated with Jewel Lodge No. 94, Suncook, NH 1957: Worshipful Master 1980, 1981, 1982; Treasurer since 1983
Suncook Masonic Association: Trustee and Clerk/Treasurer since 1975
NH Society of Veteran Freemasons: Venerable President 1989-1990
Grand Lodge of NH: Secretary to the Grand Master 1994 and 1995; Grand Steward 1996, 1997: Trustee NH Masonic Home since 1996
Exalted in Maine Chapter No. 73, RAM, Kittery, Maine 1959
Affiliated with Hiram Chapter No. 24, Suncook, NH 1960: Excellent High Priest 1966,1967,1987,1988; Treasurer since 1971
NH Council Order of High Priesthood: Most Excellent President 1987 and 1988
Grand Royal Arch Chapter of NH: Most Excellent Grand High Priest 1977; Grand Treasurer 1977 to 2007
Awarded the General Grand Chapter Distinguished Service Medal in Silver, 2006
Greeted in Horace Chase Council R&SM 1974: Thrice Illustrious Master 1979
Grand Council Cryptic Masons of NH: Most Illustrious Grand Master 1988; Grand Treasurer 1996 to 2007
NH Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters: Thrice Illustrious Master 1989, 1990
Knighted in St. Amand Commandery KT, Kennebunk, Maine 1959
Affiliated with Mount Horeb Commandery KT, Concord, 1979: Eminent Commander 1988, 1989, 1990
Grand Commandery KT of NH: Right Eminent Grand Commander 1997
Knight Commander of the Temple 1999
AASR: Alpha Lodge of Perfection, Ariel Council Princes of Jerusalem, and Acacia Chapter Rose Croix, Valley of Concord; NH Consistory, Valley of Nashua
Noble, Bektask Temple, AAONMS
Bethany Chapter No. 61, Order of the Eastern Star, Suncook, NH
Member, Colonial Chapter No. 19, Knight Masons of New England: Charter Member Scenic Council No. 37, Knight Masons of NH
Profile York Rite College No. 100: Charter Member; Order of the Purple Cross 1989; Pre-eminent Governor 1990; Eminent Secretary 1991 to 2007; Secretary Emeritus 2007.
NH Priory, Knights of the York Cross of Honour: Eminent Prior 1999
Palestine Tabernacle, Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests: Very Eminent Preceptor 2001
Granite State Conclave, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine: Puissant Sovereign 1990
A select group of ten speakers were individually introduced by the Master of Ceremonies for their remarks. Included in the group were the following Companion Knights: Richard A. Gilbert, Sr., Past Pre-eminent Governor 2002; Ronald E. Metcalf, Right Eminently Distinguished Past Grand Governor for NH; Walter P. Sword, Thrice Illustrious Master of Horace Chase Council No. 4, R&SM; James S. Spence, Eminent Prior of NH Priory No. 58, KYCH and Puissant Sovereign of Granite State Conclave, RCC.
Also, Allen L. Ilsley, Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery KT of NH, Excellent Chief of Scenic Council No. 37 Knight Masons of NH, and Very Eminent Preceptor of Palestine Tabernacle No. XLI, Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests; David J. Billings, the Northeast Regional Deputy Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International; Roger A. Douillette, Eminent Secretary of the College; Robert D. Steel, Eminent Deputy Governor of the College; Harold M. Chase, Jr., Pre-eminent Governor of the College; and Dennis A. Sheridan, Right Eminently Distinguished Grand Governor for NH.
Several presentations were made to the Guest of Honor, who responded with his remarks. The assembled attendees then offered their individual personal congratulations to the Honoree and his Lady Joyce. The Testimonial was a most pleasant and successful occasion as reflected in this photo of Companion Knight Emerson and his Lady Joyce following what was a good natured and sincere expression of gratitude for many years of service to the whole field of Masonry. We are pleased to have been a part of this tribute to a giant in our Masonic community who continues to offer his best work throughout our beloved Fraternity, along with his valuable influence in keeping the fabric of Masonry strong and effective as we seek to promote the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God. Our best wishes to you from all of us, Companion Knight Wally. RAR
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