On July 14, 2019 Pennsylvania’s Council of Deliberation held at Valley Forge welcomed hundreds of Masons from all over the state. The day included special presentation events honoring both service award recipients and veterans.
Now former Sovereign Grand Commander David Glattly bestowed two Scottish Rite Brothers with a Medal for Masonic Service. The honor is given to Brothers who fully embody the tenets of the Masonic fraternity, based on recommendations from three peers in their region. Recipients were Yasser Al-Khatib, Valley of Philadelphia and one of the founders of our hugely popular Hauts Grades Academy, and David W. Berry, 33°, Valleys of Lancaster and Harrisburg.
Brother Berry also received the Sovereign Grand Commander’s Medal for Distinguished Service for his dedication to Masonic Youth and the Order of DeMolay.
More than 100 veterans were also formally recognized for their service to our nation with a Sammy Lee Davis Peace and Freedom Pin, given to them by Brother Davis, 33°, himself. Brother Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson for his bravery in the Vietnam War, saving three American soldiers from an enemy barrage despite being severely wounded.
The event served as the outgoing Council of Deliberation for Ill. Thomas K. Sturgeon, 33°. He will retire as Deputy for Pennsylvania, serve as Active Emeritus, and continue as Grand Chancellor from the NMJ. Ill. Robert J. Bateman, 33°, was installed as the new Deputy of Pennsylvania.