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TEXAS GRAND OFFICERS CONFER ORDER OF MALTA
On December 8,2007, the officers of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Texas, conferred the Order of the Temple on six Knights of Malta in Palestine Commandery. Located among the piney woods of east Texas, Palestine No. 3 is one of the oldest Commanderies in Texas.
All the grand line officers filled their stations, except for the Standard Bearer, done by Sir Knight Jack Harper. The current M.E. Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas, Sir Knight Clarence J. Laney, KTCH, was the Prelate.
In the picture are, left to right: front row: J. Alvin Coleman, P.C. of Palestine; Charles Holt, P.C. of Amarillo No. 48; Joy Glen Hassell, candidate; Matthew Toby Hodges, candidate; Jimmy Don Henderson, Sr., candidate; James Kenneth Sansom, candidate; Andrew James Ashley, candidate; Michael Terrell Tedder, candidate; Albert R. Bunt, Jr., E.C. of San Angelo No. 28; Charles Miller of Brady No. 68; James C. Burgess, P.C. of Palestine No.3; back row: Larry B. Jung, E.C. of Palestine No.3; Dock F. Dixon, Jr., G.G.; W. David Malear, G.C.G.; Roland L. Tessier, P.C. of Llano No. 54; Clarence J. Laney, G.H.P.; Don Wunsche, P.C. of Melrose No. 109; Tom Snyder, G.C.; Paul Wunsche, G.SrW.; Jerry Pingle, G.SW.B.; H. David Moore, G.Jr.W.; Jack M. Harper II, P.C. of Sweetwater No. 89; and Bill Rogers, P.C. of Palestine NO.3.
 SUPREME TALL CEDAR INSTALLED
Brother George A. Morgan, Jr., was installed as Supreme Tall Cedar of the Tall Cedars of North America for 2008 at the Midwinter Conference January 18-20, 2008. Brother George was installed by P.S. Tall Cedar Barry R. Stocker.
Born April 6, 1937 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Brother George graduated from Allentown High School, 1955, and served in the US Marine Corps, 1955-1959. He worked as a photo-technician for the Call-Chronicle newspaper, 1959-1968, and for Bethlehem Steel, 1968-1983. He was a partner, secretary, and treasurer of Lehigh Valley Photographic Services, 1983-1999, retiring in 1999. He was married to wife Judy in 1961, and they have three children and four grandchildren. He has been active in his church, in the Boy Scouts, and in Little League.
Brother George became a Mason in 1988 in Bethlehem Lodge No. 283, Master in 1994 and 1995, and served as representative to Grand Lodge, 1996-present. He became a Tall Cedar in 1989 in Bethlehem Forest No. 61; Forest Trustee, 1990-1995; Grand Tall Cedar, 1997; Tall Cedar Foundation Trustee, District No.8, 1999-2001; aide to Jr.D.S. Tall Cedar, 2002; aide to Sr.D.S. Tall Cedar, 2003; and aide to the S. Tall Cedar, 2004. He was also President of the Officers and Past Officers, District No.8, 2003, and he received the Tall Cedar Foundation Trustee of the Year Award for 2000. He served as Jr. Deputy Supreme Tall Cedar in 2006, Sr. Deputy Supreme Tall Cedar, 2007, and was installed Supreme Tall Cedar, 2008.
Brother George became a 32° Mason in the Valley of Allentown and was a member of the 15th degree team from 1991-2003.
Tall Cedars of Lebanon is a Masonic affiliated organization with over 13,000 members in 102 chapters called Forests in the US and Canada. Since 1951 they have provided continuous support to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, contributing over 14 and one half million dollars to the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon.
 TALL CEDAR GOODWILL AMBASSADOR FOR 2008
Pictured at left is the Supreme Tall Cedar of North America, Brother George A. Morgan, Jr., from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, along with Goodwill Ambassador for the year 2008, E. Claire Menke. Claire was born in Greenville, North Carolina, on May 15, 1995, and was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, SMA III, at the age of nine at Johns Hopkins.
Claire lives in Middletown, Maryland, with her parents, Jay and Daean, and her sisters, Emily and Amanda, and a brother Alex. The family has two cats and two dogs, one being Claire's service dog Xavier.
Claire is a seventh grader and enjoys art, music, swimming, and spending time with her friends and family. Other activities include her church, MDA Camp, and fund-raising for MDA and 4Paws for Ability.
Claire is very excited about being chosen to represent the Tall Cedar Foundation as Goodwill Ambassador for 2008 and is looking forward to meeting many people and traveling.
A HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE MINISTER WRITES
I am writing to thank all of the Knights Templar for my recent Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. February 5-15, 2008, I traveled with 48 other Christian ministers from all over the United States. This was a dream fulfilled and absolutely the trip of a lifetime. Our host, Sir Knight Duane Kemerly of the Grand Commandery of Ohio, was very helpful. The itinerary, accommodations, and guides were the very best.
Being able to walk where our Savior Jesus walked, to see the places He saw, to share with pilgrims from all over this world the most sacred of places, will enhance my ministry and bring to life a more vivid picture of the biblical lands.
As a child, when other boys were playing with their various toys, I played with toy knights and dreamed of the crusades and the age of chivalry. When I became old enough to petition a lodge and join my father, grandfathers, and two great grandfathers as a Mason, it was a happy day for me. When I became a Knight Templar in Cuyahoga Falls Commandery No. 83 of Ohio, it was a dream come true. Now, being able to make an actual pilgrimage to the Holy Land and to walk where Jesus walked was truly connecting not only with our biblical forebears but also connecting with those crusaders of long ago who walked those same streets and worshiped at those same holy sites. A true highlight for me was being in St. Anne's Church, a crusader church. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you!
Reverend Patrick James Southam Big Creek Presbyterian Church Rensselaer, Missouri
NEWS FROM THE SOCIAL ORDER OF THE BEAUCEANT
Official Visit of Supreme Worthy President to Billings Assembly No. 194, Montana
 
At the official visit, left, Mrs. Jeanette Rife, to left, Supreme Worthy President of the S.O.O.B., presented a 50-year membership pin to Mrs. Robert E. Danskin, to right, Past Supreme Worthy President, for her many years of dedicated service to the Social Order of the Beauceant.
At right members pictured with the Supreme Worthy President, second from right, are: Mrs. John E. Johnson, P.P.; Mrs. Esther Offen, P.S.W.P.; Mrs. Robert Eckhardt, P.P.; Mrs. Lewis
Hammermeister, President and P.P.; Mrs. James Burrows; Mrs. Robert E. Danskin, P.S.W.P.; Mrs. Earl Rosell; Mrs. Grover Rickman; Mrs. Clinton Cox, P.P.; Mrs. Arloa Weiss, P.P.; Mrs. John Daugherty, P.P.; Mrs. Lowell Butler; and Mrs. Jack Humphrey.
Official Visit of Supreme Worthy President to LaCrosse Assembly No. 215
The members of LaCrosse No. 215, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, welcomed the Supreme Worthy President, Mrs. Jeanette Rife, and were pleased to have as guests: Mrs. Jay Ipsen, P.S.w.P., and Past Presidents of Minneapolis No. 64, Mrs. Howard Smith and Mrs. Hans Engebretson. Also, they were honored to have Past Grand Commanders in attendance. Pictured right above are Mrs. Rife, center front, with the officers of the Assembly and the two guests, who served as pro tem officers. Right below are: P.G.C. Jay Ipsen of Minnesota, P.G.C. Burnell Roble of Wisconsin; Worthy President Mrs. Martin Callaway; S.w.P. Mrs. Jeanette Rife; P.S.W.P. Mrs. Jay Ipsen; and P.G.C.S Charles Kolbe and Richard Reilly, both of Wisconsin.
Shreveport Assembly No. 60, Louisiana
Above Shreveport No. 60's "Givers with Big Hearts" are shown with Captain Huddleston and other firemen and with a table of gifts. The 59 members of the Assembly give generously to the Assembly's three designated charities: KTEF, Toys for Tots, and the Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund.
Longtime member honored: Mrs. Dwight Brown, a loyal member who is now serving as Chaplain of the Assembly, was escorted to the altar where Worthy President, Mrs. Pat Dickson, thanked her for her 25 years of loyal service to Kansas City Assembly No. 7 and Shreveport Assembly No. 60. Mrs. Brown was presented with her 25-year pin and a lovely potted plant by Mrs. Dickson, W.P. Pictured at right is Mrs. Brown with Mrs. Roy May, Recorder of Shreveport No. 60.
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