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Huntington Commandery No. 9 rang the bells for the Huntington Salvation Army on December 22, 2011.

Those Sir Knights who participated by ringing bells were Grand Generalissimo Paul Davis, Vincent Perry,

James Lackey, Brady Woodard, G. Butler Adkins, Jr., PGC, David DeMent, PGC, Harrison L. Bailey,

Olin Taylor and George Adkins, Jr.

Ringing the bells was a great opportunity for members to meet and greet the public and to promote

Templary through involvement in community events.  Sir Knights dressed in full uniform and volunteered

for 8 hours, working in shifts of 2 hours during the day.  Grand Generalissimo Paul Davis was in charge

of coffee as can be seen in the photo.

Grand Generalissimo Paul Davis and his wife, Shirley, were two of the many volunteers who worked several days preparing 3, 000 flags to be displayed during a 9/11 observance.

Spring Hill Cemetery (Huntington, WV) was the host to a 2011 Healing Field 9/11 flag memorial with a beautiful display of three thousand U.S. flags. 

The 3?X5? flags stood 8? tall in perfect rows. The living display of heroism flew as a temporary patriotic tribute to the strength and unity of Americans, and to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of all those who died September 11, 2001.

81311 ELKINS  RON JONES (GRAND GOVERNOOR) AND CANDIDATES JOSH WILSON, NEAL COLLETT WITH RON MANN (GOVERNOR)

881311 ELKINS  RON JONES (GRAND GOVERNOR), STEVE WILSON, JIM WILSON, JOSH WILSON (CANDIDATE) AND RON MANN

81311 ELKINS  STEVE, JIM AND (CANDIDATE) JOSH WILSON

81311 ELKINS  (L) OPHIR VELLENOWETH, BOB TAYLOR; (R) JIM WILSON, STEVE WILSON

81311  (L) BILL MUSHET, DON SHOWALTER; (R) CHARLIE WITT, PAUL BAKER, STANDING JOSH SCHRADER

81311 ELKINS - RANDOLPH COUNTY CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

The July 23, 2011 meeting of the Grand Officers of the Grand Commandery of West Virginia was hosted by Greenbrier Commandery No. 15, Lewisburg, WV.  Grand Generalissimo Paul Davis was chairman of the meeting, and to help Sir Knights find the location, he put up signs.  Despite his efforts, some Sir Knights had difficulty finding the lodge and insisted they saw no signs.

While the men were busy with their meeting, the ladies learned how to make glass bead bracelets.  Other planned activities were enjoyed during the day.  Lunch was served  following the Grand Officers meeting.  All agreed that the ladies of Eastern Star were excellent cooks!

The Division 8 joint inspection (Greenbrier #15, Bluefield #19, Mt. Hope #22) began after lunch and concluded at 5:00 p.m. with dinner being provided for Sir Knights and Ladies.   Total attendance for the day was 41 consisting of 7 ladies, 7 candidates and 26 Sir Knights.

Division 8 was honored with the presence of Right Eminent Grand Commander Edward Ball and his wife Sandy.

A resident of Bridgeport, West Virginia, Michael A. Burge began his life in DeMolay on September 22nd, 2002, when he was initiated into Clarksburg Chapter of Clarksburg, West Virginia. After moving through the offices and progressive line, Michael was installed as Master Councilor on September 26th, 2004 at the age of fourteen. After completing his first term, he was awarded the Past Master Councilor’s Meritorious Service Award for his dedicated leadership and service to his Chapter. Michael served a total of three terms. In 2006, he was elected to serve as State Junior Councilor for West Virginia DeMolay. This was his first position of leadership on the state level. At the 2008 annual Conclave of West Virginia DeMolay, his brothers conferred upon him a great honor by electing him State Master Councilor. Later that fall, he was elevated to the rank and given the honor of the Degree of Chevalier. At the following DeMolay International Session, the brethren of Region IV expressed their confidence by electing him their Cabinet Member to the International DeMolay Congress. Michael was asked to serve another term as State Master Councilor from 2010 to 2011 to fill a gap left when several brothers answered their country’s call to service in the armed forces. He agreed and was formally elected and installed. Michael has also been recognized with the Founders Membership Award, Blue Honor Key and Representative DeMolay Award. He is a Sir Knight of C. Frye Haley Memorial Priory, Order of Knighthood in Kentucky, as well as an honorary member of Kentucky DeMolay. Michael was graduated in 2008 from Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, West Virginia. He is currently a student at West Virginia University majoring in political science and business administration and hopes to attend law school in the future. At the 2011 International DeMolay Congress Session in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Michael was elected by his brethren to serve as the 45th International Congress Secretary and was duly installed.

JEFFREY O. SCHRADER COMMANDERY (U.D.) MANNINGTON

4/23/11 Conferred to Order of the Temple on its first class.  The class consisted of Sir Knights Pete Beaty, John Carson, Johnnie Carson, Albie Fluharty, Gary Martin and Byron Jones.  The following photos are courtesy of S.K. Fred Cottrill.

Pictured above with the new Sir Knights are Gary Tucker (Inspector General), George Price (Commander), Joe Radcliff (Prelate), Lee West (Past Inspector General) and George Birklein (Deputy Inspector)

Pictured are members of Jeffrey O Schrader Commandery (U.D.) with the new Sir Knights:

FRONT - Mike Jones and George Price.  SECOND - Jerry Fowlke and Tom Six.  THIRD - Roger Raines, Josh Schrader,, Bobbie D Triplett, Fred Cottrill

The 81^st Annual Easter Sunrise Service, sponsored by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America, was held at the George Washington Masonic Memorial, Alexandria, Virginia on Sunday, April 24, 2011.  The Grand Commandery of West Virginia was represented by Very Eminent Deputy Grand Commander Edward Ball and Grand Captain General Paul Davis.  Their ladies, Sandy and Shirley, also attended the Easter service.

On Saturday, April 23, 2011 the Grand Commandery of Indiana laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery honoring those members who fell in combat as members of the Armed Forces of the United States.

A Saturday night dinner and an Easter breakfast buffet were attended by many Sir Knights including Paul Davis, Grand Captain General of the Grand Commandery of West Virginia (far right in photo).

NEW COMMANDERY FORMED IN WEST VIRGINIA

Right Eminent J Stephen Wilson, Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of West Virginia, traveled to Mannington, WV on January 17, 2011 to present a group of Sir Knights with the paperwork authorizing them to act as the  Jeffrey Owen Schrader Commandery, Under Dispensation.   This new Commandery, the first new Commandery in many years, was formed because of the interest of Knights Templar located in the "northern section of Marion County."  They formerly were members of Crusade Commandery No. 6 located in Fairmont.  Harmony prevails between the two Commanderies.  The anticipated dais officers are George Price, Commander; Tom Six, Generalissimo; Josh Schrader, Captain General; Bobbie D Triplett, Treasurer; and Roger Raines, Recorder.  Stated conclaves are the second Tuesday monthly at 7:30 p.m.    J O Schrader Commandery U.D. plans to do the first two Commandery degrees at their Tuesday, February 8, Conclave beginning at 7:30 p.m.    They have no robes or equipment and are asking anyone knowing where those items are available to contact S.K. Tom Six at flytyer6@frontier.com .  Better still, come to Mannington to witness or give assistance to this fledgling group of Sir Knights.    Those wanting to send congratulations to the new Commandery should address an email to Tom Six at flytyer6@frontier.com .    Let me give you a couple numbers to reflect the interest in blue lodge and York Rite Masonry in Mannington:  over 170 members and family attended the Christmas party; over 100 shared breakfast.  They formed a new Royal Arch Chapter (Bobbie D Triplett 52), December 6, 2006.  For those oyster eaters, Mannington 31 is known state-wide for their annual "oyster feed" (they have an alternate for us non-oyster" Masons) and will serve at least 100 Masons.  Past Masters are honored on this night (March 5), dinner at 5, lodge at 7.  And that's not all - the men plan to honor their ladies with a Ladies Appreciation Dinner on February 5.  The Mannington group has worked hard to restore Masonry in the northern part of Marion County.