News from the Memorial

2012 George Washington Memorial Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 8, 2011

In conjunction with its February 22, 2012, Gala Celebration of George Washington's Birthday, the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia will hold the fourth George Washington Memorial Symposium and will present the George Washington Memorial Award. The recipient of the award is chosen for his contributions in presenting the virtues, character and vision of George Washington. This year's George Washington Memorial Award recipient is Peter Henriques, Ph.D. Henriques is Professor of History, Emeritus, at George Mason University. He specializes in Virginia history, with particular emphasis on Virginia and the American Revolution and the Virginia Founding Fathers. Henriques's most recent work is Realistic Visionary: A Portrait of George Washington (2006).

Family of Freemasonry Exhibit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 8, 2011

The new Family of Freemasonry exhibit at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia will open on February 22, 2012, as part of the Memorial's celebration of Washington's 280th Birthday. Located on the third floor of the Memorial, it will feature displays on the Grotto, the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon.

The Grotto's five display cases will cover the largest area of the floor on the east end. The Order of the Eastern Star will occupy the southeast corner and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, the northeast corner. Other Masonic Appendant and Affiliated Bodies have been invited to participate and the goal is to have the entire floor filled within the next two years.

The displays highlight the history, symbols, charities, and social activities of each organization. A future addition in the center of the room will include life-size mannequins dressed in ceremonial, parade and formal costumes to help connect visitors to an organization's symbols and structure.

Gala 280th Birthday Celebration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 8, 2011

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia will be holding a Gala Birthday Celebration to commemorate the 280th Birthday of George Washington on February 22, 2012. The celebration will begin with a Special Communication of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 on Tuesday evening, February 21, 2012. The Lodge meeting will include a special welcome to members of the Society of Washington Lodges. Celebrations will continue with a wreath-laying at the tomb of George Washington on the Wednesday morning, February 22.

The Birthday evening will begin with a reception in Memorial Hall. Concurrently, there will be a private reception with Professor Henriques for members of the new George Washington Memorial Society and other distinguished guests. Following the receptions, guests will enjoy a musical celebration in Memorial Theater, then the Birthday Banquet in Grand Masonic Hall with appropriate Birthday Toasts and short remarks.

The Association looks forward to sharing with you the Gala Celebration of George Washington's Birthday. Invitations will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.

2011 Holiday Ornament: Three Great Lights in Masonry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 8, 2011

Memorial Holiday OrnamentThe George Washington Masonic Memorial is pleased to announce that The Three Great Lights in Masonry is the 2011 Holiday Ornament.

The Holy Bible, Square, and Compasses were selected by the Fraternity in its formative period as the first and most important symbols presented to a new Mason, and are called the Three Great Lights in Masonry.

The Holy Bible represents the rule and guide of a Mason's faith, the Square symbolizes virtue, and the Compasses allude to the importance of self-mastery in moral and intellectual progress.

To order, please contact the Memorial Gift Shop at: 703-549-9234 (Item 561, $25.00), or visit the Memorial website at: http://gwmemorial.org/shopping/.

George Washington Memorial Society and Memorial Support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 8, 2011

The George Washington Masonic Memorial is pleased to announce the creation of a new Society comprised of a select group of members dedicated to supporting the Memorial and its Mission. The purpose of the new George Washington Memorial Society is to raise support for the George Washington Masonic Memorial and to increase awareness of the Memorial among Masons and in the community. Membership in the Society consists exclusively of Charter Members and Regular Members. Charter Members are those who donate $1,000 or more to the Memorial with their membership application during the period from the foundation of the Society through February 22, 2013, and $250 or more per year thereafter. Charter Membership will be closed after February 22, 2013. Charter Members will receive a unique Patent signifying their Membership in the Society, along with a high-quality specially produced Medal and lapel pin. The names of Charter Members will be placed on a special plaque in the Memorial and on the Memorial's website. Charter Members will be invited to a private reception at the gala celebration of George Washington's Birthday at the Memorial each year. As of the time of publication, the following are Charter Members of the Society:

Regular Members are those who make an initial donation of $500 or more to the Memorial with their membership application, and $250 or more per year thereafter. Regular Members will receive a unique Patent signifying their Membership in the Society, along with a specially produced lapel pin. Please note that membership in the George Washington Memorial Society is available to both Masons and non- Masons. The George Washington Masonic Memorial Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. More information and application materials are available on the Memorial's website. Please contact Director of Communications and Development Douglas Wood at (703) 683-2007, x2013 for more information.

The Memorial welcomes support in the form of bequests both large and small. Legacy donors have found that bequests are a way to perpetuate the Masonic values and ideals they share with George Washington and that have been important in their lives. Legacy gifts will help preserve the legacy of George Washington and Freemasonry for generations to come. Including the Memorial in your estate plans is an ideal way to express your benevolence and dedication to the values of the Fraternity. To make a bequest in your will, please consider in consultation with a qualified estate planning attorney including the following examples of bequest language in your will:

I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association, Inc., a nonprofit, non-stock Virginia corporation with its principal office in Alexandria, Virginia, _____ percent (%) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate as an unrestricted gift.

Or the following:

I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association, Inc., a nonprofit, non-stock Virginia corporation with its principal office in Alexandria, Virginia, the sum of _____ as an unrestricted gift.

Each individual situation is unique and, therefore, these examples include only some of the possible gift opportunities. We encourage you to share your final will provision with the Memorial's Director of Communications and Development to ensure that your wishes will be properly followed and recognized. Our Staff is available to discuss in confidence and without obligation how to make a bequest. Please call Director of Communications and Development Douglas Wood at (703) 683-2007, x2013 for more information.

The Memorial is also pleased to announce that membership in the Society of Washington Lodges has been expanded beyond its Charter Membership to an additional group of Member Lodges. Member Lodges will be those regular Lodges recognized by the Grand Lodges of the United States who are committed to supporting the Memorial and who donate $2,500 with their membership application and $500 per year thereafter. Individual Masons in good standing in Lodges that are Members or Charter Members of the Society may purchase a custom-made Medal and lapel pin for $150. The Society of Washington Lodges will meet in a tiled Lodge meeting to be hosted by Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 at the Memorial on the evening before George Washington's Birthday this year. The Charter and Member Lodges of the Society will be listed on the Memorial's website and in a plaque outside the Replica Lodge Room at the Memorial. If your Lodge or another Lodge in your jurisdiction wishes to join the Society of Washington Lodges, please obtain the consent of the Lodge, then contact Director of Communications and Development Douglas Wood at (703) 683-2007, x2013 for more information.

The Memorial continues to welcome support at all levels from Brethren and members of the public who wish to participate in Memorial programs and to contribute to the Memorial. Memorial Membership begins with Silver Craftsman Membership for a contribution of $100. The contributor receives a Membership Certificate and his or her name is printed in Light, the Memorial Newsletter. The Memberships continue through Gold Master for $250, Platinum Presidential for $500, and New Century for $1,000. The Patron levels of Membership begin with Millennium Architect for $5,000, Millennium Master Architect for $10,000, Millennium Builder for $25,000, Millennium Master Builder for $50,000, and Millennium Grand Master Builder for $100,000. All Members names are printed in Light and the Book of Donors. For New Century Memberships and all Patrons, the contributors' names are cast in bronze and displayed in the Memorial.

Supporters of the Memorial have the opportunity to beautify and adorn the grounds. The Memorial's Dedicatory Tree Program requires a contribution of $600 for a tree to be planted on the Memorial grounds in honor or memory of an individual or organization. A granite marker is installed near the tree to identify the donor and honoree. For a contribution of $2,500, a granite bench, inscribed with the name of the honoree, is installed on the grounds of the Memorial. For a contribution of $1,600 a name can be added to the Square and Compasses Marker located on the front grounds of the Memorial.

Roger A. Simmons Elected President

Roger SimmonsRoger A. Simmons was elected President of the George Washington Masonic Memorial Association at the Association's Annual Meeting held February 20, 2011 in Denver, Colorado.

Simmons will preside over a 22-member Board of Directors from across the nation. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2002 and a member of the Executive Committee since 2003.

Simmons was born in Clayhatchee, Alabama and has been a long-time resident of Newton. He attended Ozark High School and the University of Alabama Extension Branch at Dothan. He retired from a 43-year career in the Quality Control Department at Fort Rucker in 1999. Active in the community, Simmons has served as a member of the Board of Directors and as President of the Newton Ruritan Club; and as a member and Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Board of Trustees, Lay Leadership Director, Church Training Superintendent and Financial Secretary of Newton Baptist Church where he is a member.

Simmons began his Masonic career in Newton Masonic Lodge No. 224. He received his Master Mason Degree in 1963. He served as Worshipful Master in 1981-1884, and again in 1992-1994. He was appointed District Lecturer of Masonic District 27 in 1981 and served the Alabama Grand Lodge in that capacity through 1988, at which time he was appointed to serve as Group Six Member of the Committee on Work until 1998. During that time, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Work in 1992. In 1998, he was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Alabama. He progressed through the Grand Line and was installed as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Alabama in 2001. Simmons has been very active in the York Rite Bodies both locally and statewide. He joined the Dothan York Rite Bodies in 1964 and has served in many capacities including as Excellent High Priest in Dothan Chapter No. 113, as Thrice Illustrious Master in Dothan Council No. 68, and as Eminent Commander of Dothan Commandery No. 25. He is a Past Grand High Priest, Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Alabama, a past Illustrious Grand Master, Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Alabama and Past Grand Commander, Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Alabama. Active in the Scottish Rite since 1972, he has served as Master of Kadosh, Venerable Master in the Lodge of Perfection and Wise Master of the Chapter of Rose Croix. He served as President of the Dothan Scottish Rite Honor Club for two years. In 1989, he was invested with the distinction of K.C.C.H. In October 1999, he was honored by the Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite with the 33rd Degree.

He and his wife Sally have been married for over 50 years.