Sir Knights of Piedmont Commandery #26:  06 April, 2009

 

1)    I wish to thank the membership of Piedmont Commandery #26 for the confidence you have shown me in electing me as your Commander for the year ahead.   I realize this is a tremendous honor and responsibility.   There is much to be done.  There are many inaccuracies in our e-mail list which your Recorder and  I are working diligently to update.  Many of our members do not have e-mail capability and thus feel left out of the loop.  I will be working to rectify that.  In the meantime, please assist me in passing this e-mail on to those you can.  Also, I wish to thank those individuals who have stepped up to the plate to help me assemble the pieces required to conduct a successful Commandery year.  I still have a few vacancies which I am working to fill.   They are; Std Bearer, Sword Bearer, and Sentenal.  Our Treasurer and Recorder have agreed to stay on untill a successor can be found.

SK Frank Wyckoff has designed a nice prestigious plaque to be presented to outstanding Sir Knights.   The very first of which was presented to SK  Doug Jordan at our March meeting, not only for his outstanding service to the craft but also for his distinquished service as our Treasurer.

 

2)      If you have  served in any Piedmont Commandery #26 Office in the past and no longer are serving in that office; but still maintain possession of an officer's jewel,  please return it to the commandery as soon as possible.   The jewels are quite expensive and it will save the commandery considerable expenses.  

   

3)      Your immediate Past Commander, SK Robert Mayer started held monthly ritual classes at his home which were quite beneficial to those of us who attended.  He has expressed a willingness to continue and the next one will be held between 10 and 12 A.M. on April 18.  All officers are encouraged to attend.   Anyone else, wishing to brush up on your proficiency may certainly join us.   Call me at 703-494-2556 or on my cell at 703 915-9871 if you have addtional questions.   The class is a highly-personalized class with opportunities for all attendees to get all of their questions on any commandery topic answered at their own pace.  

 4)   On Saturday, 28 March, SK Mayer and I along with SKs from around the Old Dominion including the RE Grand Commander SK Jeffrey Burcham and District Deputy Grand Commander SK John Bullach, all journeyed to Winchester for the conferral of the orders on 11 candidates.  Two from our own commandery.  Please welcome your newest SKs, Sandy McNabb and Skip Howard.

 

5)    All Officers and all other Sir Knights:  please contact me and our Recorder, Sir Knight Barry, if you absolutely cannot be present for any of our conclaves.   Our Commandery cannot have a successful year without your personal regular monthly attendance support and participation.  A count is also needed for our cooks to plan our evening meal that begins at 6:30 PM.

      

6)      We would like to have as many Sir Knights as possible, especially all of the officers, both elected and appointed, in full uniform at each meeting.   Call me if you have questions.   Uniform & Chapeau purchase information is available at:

 

                       virginiaknightstemplar.org    &   vayorkrite.org   &   ktuniversal.com  (chapeaus)

 

If anyone wears a 7 3/8 size hat, my chapeau is too large for me and I am willing to sell it reasonably as soon as I can get another.

 

7)       For any Sir Knights who may be interested, the following link can be used for you to sign up to a state-wide KT information communication group to receive info you might not otherwise see:

 

                        vatemplars@yahoogroups.com

 

8)      The new Digests have arrived and will be available to those who ordered them!! Please continue to bring your Virginia Grand Commandery Knights Templar Ritual Digest to all meetings as we will continue to work extensively with the Digest material. If you do not have a current Digest, let me or the Recorder know and for $35.00, a Ritual Digest copy and 3-ring binder version will be provided to you. The newest Digest has sword-handling and footwork position diagrams in it, as well as Grand Commandery basic information.

 

9)      Continuing Note:  It is time for 2009 dues as per the mailing sent out by SK Barry, your dues cards will be mailed when they become available after your dues are received by the Recorder. You can bring a check made out to Piedmont Commandery No. 26, with ‘2009 Dues’ on the check “NOTE” line to our Recorder, SK Barry at our next meeting, or mail your check to 621 Third Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170-3145.  Don't forget the KTEF.  I would like to see 100% membership participation in 2009.  Please be sure to return to Barry the info he requested in the mailing for any updates you may need to supply for your preferred personal contact information (phone(s), mailing address, and e-mail(s) info).

           

10)      Sir Knights, you are encouraged to continue to approach qualified Royal Arch Masons who are not Knights Templar and invite them to apply to join us now and complete their participation and education in the York Rite. I would like to set a minimum goal of one SK per month during the year.  Again, my sincere thanks to those of you responsible for our newest SKs. Commandery applications forms updated by our Recorder SK Barry are available in the Manassas Lodge anteroom or can be obtained via e-mail from me or from Barry. 

 

          Please call me if you have any questions.

 

11)      As you know, SK Richard Baldwin has left our Earthly Commandery to join the Most High Grand Commander.  At our March meeting, we heldd a Cross of Faith Ceremony in his honor and draped our charter for 30 days.  At the April meeting, we will undrape the charter and hold another Cross of Faith Celebration.   We will also be observing Ascension Day, with our Excellent Prelate presiding.   If you have not had an opportunity to see or participate in these observances, you won't want to miss this conclave.

 

12)    I would like to thank our Immediate Past Commander for his hard work on our behalf for the past few years.   I know he will continue to be an active member in our Commandery and has already offered to be the Assistant Treasurer for the year.   

 

           Lastly, I look forward to seeing each of you on Thursday, 23 April for our monthly conclave starting at 6:30 PM for dinner and 7:30 for our meeting.  If you haven't attended in a while, please join us for a time of fellowship and an opportunity to receive more enlightenment on the craft.

 

PS   If you are able, please don't forget Easter Sunrise Services at the Masonic Temple on Sunday April 12.   Help is also needed as ushers and attendants for seating and parking.

 

 

Fraternally,

Walt Peterman

Commander 

(cell) 703-915-9871

(home) 703-494-2556

                                                                       Past Commanders

 

Robert Mayer - 2007,08

Dallas Brumback - 2006

Charles McNoldy - 2005

Donald L. McAndrews - 2004

Edwin P.  Elliott - 2003

Michael Kastle - 2000, 02

*Paul S. Newhall - 2001,1996

Jeffrey S. Holbrook - 1999

@Charles W. Wagner - 1998

*J. Barry Bartley - 1997

*W. Larry Williams - 1995

Michael E. Coleman - 1993,94

*Myron  J. Lewis - 1992

*@%Edwin R. Carpenter Jr. - 1991

*Robert E. Riggle, Sr. - 1990

*Marvin M. Shoaf - 1983,84,89

*#Douglas L. Jordan - 1982

@S. Flory Diehl - 1981

Richard G. Neal - 1979

*Selma G. Corder - 1978

Carol F. Groff - 1977

%*Edward R. Saunders Jr. - 1976

*Edwin W. Stewart - 1974

Howard M. Spurlock Jr. - 1970,72

*= PDDGC, #= PDIG, @= PGC, %= Past Department Commander