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Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of State of West Virginia

The joint inspection of Division No. 8, consisting of Greenbrier No. 15, Bluefield No. 19 and Mt. Hope No. 22, was held at Mt. Hope on Friday, June 25, 2010.  The Inspecting Officer was Paul O. Davis, Eminent Grand Captain General.

Division 8 had the honor of receiving Right Eminent Grand Commander J. Stephen Wilson, Eminent Grand Captain General Paul O. Davis and Eminent Grand Standard Bearer Johnnie Sluss.  Total attendance was 26 including candidates and visitors.

Ladies from Mt. Hope cooked a delicious meal which the Sir Knights and candidates enjoyed prior to the inspection and degree work.

The Inspection and Order of the Temple was conducted by the three Commanderies.  Three (3) candidates, Douglas Fuller of Greenbrier No. 15, Curtis Honaker of Bluefield No. 19, and Seth M. Phillips of Mt. Hope No. 22 became Sir Knights with the intent of being active in their respective Commanderies.

Four Past Grand Commanders participated in the Inspection—(left to right) Robert Caldwell (#15), James Coleman (#15), Right Eminent Grand Commander J. Stephen Wilson, James P. Allen (#22) and John Arbuckle, Jr.( #15).

Also participating was Charles Mann, Past Grand High Priest and Commander of Bluefield No. 19.

The Division No. 2  Inspection of Palestine No. 2, Martinsburg, Potomac No. 5, Charlestown, and  Damascus No. 23, Keyser was held in Charles Town on Saturday, June 12, 2010.

We had the honor of receiving Grand Commander SK J. Stephen Wilson, Deputy Grand Commander Edward Ball, Grand Warden Ronald Jones and Inspecting Officer R. Vance.

Seven new Sir Knights in Eastern Panhandle. Front row: SK Frank Bradley No. 2, SK Gary Nelson, Jr. No. 23, SK Ryan Frye No. 2, SK Sam Earl, No. 2.  Back row: SK Carl Smith, No. 23, SK William Champ, No. 23, SK Alan Dunsmore.

After Inspection, the Order of the Temple was conducted by the three Commanderys and the assistance of Past Grand Commander Butler Adkins as Prelate. Seven new Sir Knights have now joined and stated they intend to be active in attending their Commandery conclaves

Shoppers saw more than the usual amount of flags outside of Pullman Square in Huntington on June 14.  It was Flag Day—the day commemorating the adoption of the flag of the United States.  Shoppers, pedestrians and patrons of outdoor restaurants observed several organizations participating in a ceremony honoring the Flag of the United States and the values it represents.
For more than 50 years, Huntington Commandery No. 9 has been observing the day by holding an event or participating in patriotic activities with other organizations.  Sir Knights assembled at the Huntington Masonic Temple and marched to Pullman Square to join with Huntington Elks Lodge #313 for the ceremony.  During the program, Huntington Sir Knights joined Cabell County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Chiles in singing the National Anthem and “God Bless America.”
Teenagers from Huntington Police Explorers Post 65 presented the flags of the country’s history.
Guest speaker, Dr. Gary Patton, counselor for the FBI in southern West Virginia, serving the Huntington, Charleston and Beckley offices, reminded the audience that “the flag stands for power, safety and freedom.”
Dr. Patton said, “Many people throughout the world are willing to desecrate our flag, but there are many more who are quick to run under it because of the freedom it represents.”
Attending the event were Paul O. Davis, Grand Captain General of the Grand Commandery of West Virginia along with Past Grand Commanders David DeMent and G. Butler Adkins, Jr.

Huntington Sir Knights march for “Old Glory” and sing “God Bless America.”

Grafton, West Virginia has hosted an annual Memorial Day parade for 143 years.  Thousands of school children dressed in white or pastel clothing and carrying flower bouquets from their home yards along with an American flag, bands, floats  dignitaries and marching units parade down Main Street and end up at the "old, downtown" National Cemetery.  Again this year, the Knights Templar of West Virginia, led by J. Stephen Wilson, Grand Commander, marched in uniform.  The day was glorious and hot, and now it's in the record books.  Special thanks to Grafton Lodge 15 for providing a location to assemble, change clothing and eat a light meal.

HUNTINGTON — Hundreds took time to remember the nation’s heroes at Huntington’s 63rd Annual Memorial Day Program on May 31, 2010. The event and wreath laying ceremony took place at the Veterans Memorial Arch, located on the west end of Ritter Park.

The annual event is organized by the Veterans Committee for Civic Improvement and the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District. Mayor Kim Wolfe, himself a naval Vietnam veteran, greeted the crowd saying his city has sent many warriors abroad to preserve the nation’s freedoms.

This year’s featured speaker was retired Lt. Col. Harold Vance Huston. His 23-year military career includes deployments in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan, along with the piloting of Marine One under Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson.

Sir Knights of Huntington Commandery No. 9 gathered at the Memorial Arch to honor members of the military who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

Vincent Perry, Commander of the Huntington Commandery No. 9, said he attended the ceremony because of what it means to him. “I could be a lot of places,” Perry said. “But what could be more important than honoring the veterans of this country.”

Sir Knights of Huntington Commandery No. 9 were the featured group this year and were seated in the front rows. Twenty Sir Knights participated with 16 dressed in full uniform.  Helping to lay a wreath was Paul Davis, Eminent Grand Captain General of the Grand Commandery of West Virginia.

Eminent Grand Captain General Paul Davis, first on left above

Paul Davis, center

Fort Henry College 61, Wheeling, WV observed its 31st Annual Assembly Saturday, May 8, 2010 in the Scottish Rite Cathedral, Wheeling.  S.K. Daniel A. Witschey received the Order Knight of York.  Following the business meeting, an open installation was conducted.  The Installation Officers were M.P.D. James E. Winzenreid, Past Governor General; D.B.
J. Steven Wilson, OPC and D.B. Harold Vitalie, OPC.  Thirty-five of the eighty-four College members were present.  The Companion Knights and their ladies joined for a catered dinner following the Assembly. Junior Past Governor Richard D. Riddle was escorted through an arch of steel as he was seated with the Companion  Knights.  .  Pictures submitted by C.K. Stephen Ledergerber

BELOW:  Fort Henry York Rite College 61, Wheeling, WV.  2010/2011 Officers:
FRONT ROW: C.K. Ronald R. Mann, Deputy Governor; C.K. Charles R. Riddle, Preeminent Governor;
C.K. Daniel A. Witschey (Candidate); C.K. George D. Jackson, Chancellor.
SECOND ROW:  D.B. Harold E. Phillips, Jr., OPC, Secretary; D.B. Harold E. Vitalie, OPC, Treasurer;
C.K. Roger D. Linger, Primate; C.K. Gregory H. Dotson, Seneschal; C.K. Peter Y. Turner, Preceptor.
BACK ROW: C.K. Clarence H. Wyatt, Sentinel; C.K. Donald L. Showalter, Marshal.

BELOW: A Commandery of Knights Templar of WV was formed and escorted the Ft Henry 61 officers.
C.K. Steven Junkins; R.E.& C.K.  Seba T. Anderson, Past Grand Commander & Grand Treasurer; C.K. George Myers; C.K. William D. Mushet, Past Governor;

BELOW: Candidate Daniel A. Witschey and lady Amy

BELOW: Most Preeminently Distinguished James E. Winzenreid, Past Governor General

Thirty-eight Companions attended the March 6, 2010 Royal Arch Festival in Clarksburg.  Most Excellent Donald Peterson, Grand High Priest, participated in the work.  Also participating were Right Excellent George Jackson (Grand King), Right Excellent Jeff Schrader (Grand Scribe) and Excellent Marvin Hill (Grand Lecturer).

Pictured (l to r) is:
Rodney Bolyard (Elkins), Vince Price (Elkins), Jeff McMillen (Morgantown), Derek Walker (Bridgeport), Roy Teter (Elkins), Jeff Stovrakis (Bridgeport) and Roger Rohr (Fairmont).  NOT PICTURED:  Gary Martin (Mannington).

March 6      Adonbiram No 11 Festival
March 8         Tyrian No. 13
March 9         Point Pleasant No. 7
March 11        Beverly No. 23
March 12        Beckley No. 38
March 13        Tyrian No. 13    Festival
March 16        Jackson No. 48
March 19        Grand Chapter of DC
Martch 22      Wayne No. 18
March 25        West Virginia Conclave Red Cross of Constantine - Charleston
March 27        SRICF  in Martinsburg, WV