The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE — Sir Knight Benjamin Franklin Hill, grand commander of Knights Templar of Virginia, made an official visit to District 5 on Saturday, Oct. 5.
District 5 is comprised of of Alleghany ?Commandery, 23, Stevenson Commandery 8 in Waynesboro, and Moomaw Commandery 27 in Lexington. Alleghany Commandery was the host commandery.
Sir Knight Hill thanked all Sir Knights and ladies in attendance. The meal and desserts were served by Sir Knight Jim Hogg’s daughter and her friend.
All present thanked the ladies for the meal.
Hill introduced all the members present and their ladies.
Following dinner, all Sir Knights went to the lodge room and opened the commandery for his reception.
Hill spoke on the history of the Knights Templar noting that dated back to 1118 as a crusading order mainly engaged in escorting pilgrims to the Holy Land.
Since the 1780s the Masonic Knights Templar has memorialized the comradery, commitment and pious faith of those Templars.
Hill spoke on Templar charities, the most important being the Knight Templar Eye Foundation. Its goal is to improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care.
The Holy Land Pilgrimage supports ministers who want to see the Holy Land paid by the Templars.
The Educational Foundation provides financial assistance to students who meet the required qualifications.
Hill also spoke about the state Grand Commandery, and how it operates, and how its finances are used.
He also spoke about budgets at state level, and advised local commandries on using their planned budgets wisely.
Hill said all local commandery and district have different objectives and goals, and that one does not always fit all.
He also urged all Sir Knights to assist in membership and community activities, and encouraged all Masons to become a Knight Templar.
He also encouraged all present to reach out and assist Grand Commandery and all commandries in the state.
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Sir Knight Benjamin Franklin Hill, grand commander of Knights Templar of Virginia, paid an official visit Saturday, Oct. 5, to District 5. Front row, from left: Jeffrey McClelland, Bobby Curtis, Hill, Freddy Barnett, Major Stephenson. Middle row: John Howerton, Glen Bryant, Eric Swortzel, J.D. Davis. Back row: Scott Fielding, Avery Nipper, Jim Hogg, John Hayes, Jim Fields, Steve Young, Bill Kelley. Not pictured: Ron Bostic. (Photo Courtesy Ron?Bostic)
