GERALD RUDOLPH FORD (1913-2006)Thirty-eighth President of the United States of America (1974-1977)
MASONIC RECORD
Initiated: September 30, 1949, Malta Lodge No. 465, Grand Rapids, Michigan, along with his half-brothers Thomas Gardner Ford (1918-1995), Richard Addison Ford (1924-?) and James Francis Ford (1927-? ).
The Fellowcraft and Master Mason Degrees were Conferred by Columbia Lodge No. 3, Washington, D.C., on April 20 and May 18, 1951, as a courtesy to Malta Lodge.
Brother Ford was made a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, and Honorary Member, Supreme Council A.A.S.R. Northern Jurisdiction at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, on September 26, 1962, for which he served as Exemplar (Representative) for his Class.
Brother and President Ford was unanimously elected an Active Member of the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay and its Honorary Grand Master, at its Annual Session held at Orlando, Florida, April 6-9, 1975; Brother Ford held this post until January 1977, at which time he became a Past Honorary Grand Master, receiving his Collar and Jewel on October 24, 1978 in Topeka, Kansas, from the Hon. Thomas C. Raum, Jr., Grand Master, Order of DeMolay.
I was watching the funeral service for President Ford at the Capitol this weekend and thought I saw mourners pass by wearing Masonic aprons and I wondered, 'Was Gerry Ford a Mason?' He sure was!
Another Great American. May he rest in peace.
To honor our fallen Brother, former President Gerald R Ford, 33rd Degree Master Mason, fellow Brethren from the Washington DC area gathered at Naval Lodge No. 4 at 330 Pennsylvania Ave SE Washington DC Sunday December 31st at 10:30am and walked together to the U.S. Capitol rotunda. We walled about three blocks from Naval Lodge No. 4 to the U.S. Capitol stopping briefly in front of the Capitol at the statue of former President and Brother James A. Garfield and there gave a sort speech. Then we made our way through a one hour wait inline passing through security check points then into the rotunda where Brother Ford was ling in state. One by one we gave our respect and honors to our fallen Brother.
ReplyDeleteFor pictures and videos visit
http://www.acacia16.org/Honoring_Brother_Gerald_R_Ford.htm
Thanks, Brother William. I will head over to the site and check it out.
ReplyDeleteI guess you could call me a fellow traverler. I have a fondness for Masons because I am a former Job's Daughter and descend from a long line of Masons and Eastern Stars.
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