2020 Annual Report of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial

Report of the President
As we look back at the past year we can feel both sorrow and joy. Sorrow in the fact
that this Nation faced one of the worst pandemics, and tremendous adversity, of our
lifetime. Sorrow also for those who died from the COVID-19 virus or other causes, including
two of our distinguished Board Members: M.W. Bro. Stephen J. Ponzillo III and M.W. Bro.
John R. “Bo” Cline. Joy in knowing that the Supreme Architect of the Universe has, once
again, preserved and blessed this great country of ours, fractured as it may be. Joy further in
knowing that we have yet another chance to preserve our Constitutional rights and freedoms
given to us by our Founding Fathers. Joy in knowing that Freemasonry, although down in
numbers, is as strong and relevant as ever.
2020 is the year nobody planned for. As the Board prepared the Memorial’s 2020 budget
(in 2019) no one ever thought that the Memorial would be closed down for months and
then opened on a very limited basis. The Memorial suffered financially due to lost operating
revenue, but our “well-seasoned” Executive Director, George Seghers, successfully guided
the Memorial through the troubled waters. We were blessed to have retained all of our fulltime
employees and they did a marvelous job under great duress. This accomplishment could
not have been achieved without the financial support of our Grand Lodges and Brethren.
Our gratitude goes out to all who contributed to this worthy endeavor. As we are still faced
with financial constraints, we ask and pray for your continued support, ever remembering
that “the Memorial is yours!”
As I depart the Board, I can sum up my feelings by saying that my twelve-year tenure on
the Board of Directors was a blessing. I had the opportunity to work and travel with some
of the top Masonic leaders in the country. During the exchange of ideas at our meetings, I
learned from each of these Board Members and thank them for their willingness to share
their knowledge and wisdom. Each contributed freely of his time, talent, and energy to
support the Memorial and bring it forward. None of these Board Members, or Officers,
ever sought recognition, they only desired to fulfill the mission of the Memorial: To inspire
humanity through education to emulate and promote the virtues, character, and vision of George
Washington, the Man, the Mason, and Father of our Country. And they did!
I leave the Board with full confidence that the Memorial is in good hands, not only to soon
close out the first 100 years since the Memorial cornerstone was set, but to carry it forward
into the beginning of its second century. Mark your calendar now: February 2023 will be the
Memorial’s Centennial Cornerstone Celebration. As I have often stated, every Mason should
make a pilgrimage to the Memorial—and this will be a prime opportunity.
From the bottom of my heart: “Thanks to all Masons, where-so-ever dispersed, for
allowing me the honor and privilege of serving on the Board of Directors, and as President,
of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association.”
J.F. “Jeff ” Webb
Opposite: Brilliant colors
are revealed as the sun
sets behind the George
Washington Masonic
National Memorial on
July 28, 2020.
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