As 32° Scottish Rite Freemasons, Devotion to Country is a Core Value that guides us in everyday life. On April 19, 1775, the battle at Lexington and Concord launched the American Revolution. This day provides a fitting moment to introduce you to our Brother and military hero, Sammy Lee Davis, 33°, as well as announce a new veterans recognition program named after him.
Ill. Sammy Lee Davis, 33°, Defender of Peace and Freedom New Recognition Program for Veterans from the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction
As 32° Scottish Rite Freemasons, devotion to country is a core value that guides us in everyday life. On April 19, 1775, the battle at Lexington and Concord launched the American Revolution. This day provides a fitting moment to introduce you to our Brother and military hero, Sammy Lee Davis, 33°, as well as announce a new veterans recognition program named after him.
Who is Brother Sammy Lee Davis, 33°?
Sammy Lee Davis, 33°, is a military hero who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery in the Vietnam War. While serving a private first class in Cai Lay, Brother Davis performed an extraordinary act of bravery by saving three American soldiers from an enemy barrage. Despite having a broken back, a perforated kidney, and multiple other gunshot wounds, Brother Davis summoned the strength to swim across a river amidst a battle with 1,500 enemy soldiers and carry three of his fellow Americans back to safety.
A conversation with Brother Davis
Alan Foulds, 33°, Editor of the The Northern Light magazine, sat down with Brother Davis to revisit that fateful night. They also discussed his family’s long military history, how his Medal of Honor ceremony with President Lyndon B. Johnson made it into a famous film, and the role Freemasonry has played in his life.
Watch the full conversation:
Sammy Lee Davis, Defender of Peace and Freedom Veterans Recognition Program Information
The Sammy Lee Davis, Defender of Peace and Freedom veterans recognition program is offered to Scottish Rite, NMJ, to members honorably discharged from the United States Military or Uniformed Services. The video below explains in detail:
- Who is eligible
- How you make sure the Supreme Council has your service information
- How we arrived at the named that recognizes veteran Brothers as Defenders of Peace and Freedom
- How the recognition will be distributed
Veterans will receive a custom-designed pin and certificate to commemorate their military service and to honor their dedication to the core values of 32° Scottish Rite Freemasonry. All veteran members are encouraged to go to the member center on the website and update the record of their military service if they have not done so already. Pin and certificate distribution will be managed at the Valley level.