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Acknowledgements
In 1985, at the Convention of the Luxembourg Brotherhood of America, I volunteered my time
to act as Editor of this Centennial book. Little did I realize how time consuming and, yet,
rewarding the effort would be.
The initial plans for this book called for a pictorial essay with some text because it appeared
that many of the historical records were lost. However, as we progressed, much more written
information was available so a more complete textual history could be presented. Sections 3, 8, 15
and 21 were requested to appoint a representative who would be responsible for researching and
writing the Section histories. Jack Keefer, President of the Luxembourg News and Section 3
member, accepted the task of piecing together the history of the Grand Lodge. Besides authoring
the text of the Section 15 history, it would be my duty to edit the materials presented for inclusion
in this Book.
Since the publication of the Golden Jubilee Book in 1938, a number of Sections have
disbanded. In addition, many of the Grand Lodge records pertaining to these Sections were lost
and the available information was minimal.
An undertaking such as the one represented by this Book is the collaboration of many
people who deserve my gratitude. My wife, Patti, Randolph Associates and Anne Zaczek are
deserving of special thanks for their technical assistance in preparing the text for computer
conversion and final editing. And, it was on the personal computer of my close friend, Bill
Novello, that the final editing was completed. Thanks to the Skokie Historical Society and to
Jim Carlson, President of the National Bank of Detroit - Skokie, for providing me access to
their archives.
I want to thank my law partners for allowing me time to complete this task. Not only were
they understanding, but they permitted my utilization of our firm's secretarial talents, Maria
Plakias, Margaret Plockelman and Linda Plante. Again, thanks to my law partners Daniel J.
McCarthy, John M. Duffy, Frank K. Neidhart, Steve A. Snakard, Thomas J. Montgomery,
Thomas S. Moore, Forest J. Miles and Jane F. Anderson.
Daniel Buchanan of Section 21 was the technical guru to whom I turned for assistance in the
actual printing and publication of this work. Dan gave generously of his time and expertise.
And thanks to Terri Murphy for creating the design for the hard cover.
Special thanks to the Grand President, Steve Heinz and the other officers of the Grand
Lodge for their support. Thanks to Ed Lohrmann, John Keil, Jack Keefer and Tony Schroeder of
Section 3, Gene Ross, Bill Hellman and John Murphy of Section 8, and Tony Engels and Don
Pettinger of Section 21 for their contributions.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention two men upon whose prior historical writings
we relied heavily in the preparation of this book — the late Fred Gilson and the late Harry
Trausch. Without their dedication to the Brotherhood and its history, this book would have
been impossible to compile.
Lastly, I have taken the prerogative to include a personal note. The absolute sine qua non of
my involvement in this undertaking is the pride I have in my Luxembourg heritage, derived
from my late father, Joe Witry, Sr. In his memory I devoted the long hours spent researching
and compiling this history, and I hope that my efforts reflect favorably on him. It is my sincere
desire that each person who reads this book shall derive some pleasure from its contents and
appreciate the contributions of the men who comprised the Luxembourg Brotherhood of
America. I know I did!
Richard J. Witry,
Editor
August 25, 1987