2020 Annual Report of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial

appropriate toasts. The final event of the
evening was the presentation of the George
Washington Memorial Award to S. Brent
Morris, Masonic Scholar and Author and
managing editor of The Scottish Rite Journal.
Brother Morris presented a truly enlightening
talk titled “In Praise of Punctuation: The Case
for the Missing Semicolon,” which revealed
how a typographical error led many to believe
Washington acted as Grand Master Pro Tempore
during the 1793 Cornerstone laying of the U.S.
Capitol. The George Washington Memorial
Award honors authors and other individuals
who have promoted the virtues, character, and
vision of George Washington and the values of
Freemasonry. The award was created in 2007
in celebration of George Washington’s 275 th
Birthday. Recipients are presented with the
bronze medallion and a monetary prize.
The annual George Washington Birthday
Celebration honors the birth, life, and
accomplishments of Brother Washington.
As part of the celebration, exhibits for the
Scottish Rite and Shriners International were
officially opened in The Family of Freemasonry
Exhibit by both Sovereign Grand Commanders,
the Imperial Potentate, and the Memorial
President. The Family of Freemasonry is now
completed and truly presents the many facets
of American Freemasonry.
Top: Memorial Association
President J.F. “Jeff ” Webb
presents the George
Washington Memorial
Award to S. Brent Morris.
Bottom: A granite bench
was dedicated to the late
Neil R. Crain, P.G.M. of
Louisiana. Present were
(L-to-R) Louisiana’s Grand
Junior Warden Terry Fowler,
Grand Master Steve Pence,
President J.F. “Jeff ” Webb,
Frank duTreil, Jr., P.G.M.,
and R.B. Smith, S.G.I.G. of
Louisiana.
Memorial Programs
The George Washington Memorial Society. On August 19, 2011, the Board
of Directors approved the creation of a society dedicated to the support of the George
Washington Masonic National Memorial. The purpose of the Society is to raise awareness
of and support for the Memorial. We now have two hundred thirty-four Charter Members.
The Society Members make an initial contribution of $1,000.00 and pledge $250.00
annually. The Society Members are recognized and thanked for their support with a private
reception as part of the annual George Washington Birthday Celebration. The emblem of
the Society is the Memorial Crest with an image of the Memorial on a blue background in
the center.
8