HIRAM AWARD
[Probably one of the most dedicated,
ENTHUSIASTIC and hard working Freemasons in our area is Brother
Walter L. Kemmerer, member of Los Angeles Harbor (formerly San
Pedro) Lodge No. 332, long time member of our lodge, Consultant
to the Grand Lodge Film and Ceative Projects Committee and the
originator of our Hiram Award. We offer this with the thought
that you consider it before the next Hiram Award Ceremony in your
lodge as with time many have strayed from the original precepts.
The following is the orginal and should be the present intent of
the program in the following words of Brother Kemmerer.]
In order that we can understand the beginning
of the Hiram Award I would like to explain its background and
origination.
The first Hiram Award was presented by
Worshipful Vern L. Belcher at San Pedro Lodge No. 332 F. &
A.M. on February 8, 1964. The recipient was Past Master, 1932,
Andrew D. Miller, Jr. It was held in the lodge room for Master
Masons only. Each time we had a presentation of the award from
then on there was always a very good attendance.
In October 1976 while attending Grand Lodge I
was approached by Worshipful Walter Heimgartner of Galt Lodge No.
267 and asked if I was the one who was the originator of
Mariner's Night in San Pedro. He wanted to know if I would assist
his lodge in planning a dinner. I said I certainly would, not
knowing where Galt was. I soon found that Galt was located east
of Sacramento and since I agreed I told him I would assist him
regardless of the location.
I suggested a dinner be held in the lodge
dining room and that an award be presented. I was informed the
lodge dining room would only seat between 99 and 102 for dinner.
I told him if we were going to have an event we should have a
larger dining room and his reply was that his lodge was the
largest dining room in town that was possible for us to use. I
suggested they look around and see if they could get a larger
room, maybe even a barn.
After weeks of searching Worshipful Heimgartner
called me and said he had obtained an old administration building
from the school department. However, there was no water or
toilets in the building. I suggested he make arrangements with
the gas station for the facilities which was one block away. This
was all accomplished.
I suggested that they select a brother of the
lodge who had served his lodge, his community, his country, and
his God to present with a special award to be called the King
Solomon Award. This was agreeable to all and the selection was
Glen W. Ingram, P.M., of Galt Lodge. About a week later I
thought, why call it the King Solomon Award since we were having
such good success with the Hiram Award in San Pedro. I contacted
Worshipful Heimgartner and asked him if he would make the change
and he did.
Galt Lodge at that time had 102 members and the
population of the city of Galt was 4,500. I suggested they
contact the various localities and invite other lodges to attend
as well as ladies, children and non-Masons. Everything worked
like clockwork and on Tuesday, March 8, 1977, the dinner was
held. It was a complete success with 456 dinners served which was
10% of the town's population. They came from far and wide, from
many parts of the community. In attendance were Past Grand Master
of Masons in California, John F. Roberts, Jr., and his lady, and
County Supervisors from Sacramento and San Joaquin counties.
Entertainment was by the Sweet Adelines who came from Stockton as
well as the Shrine Band from San Francisco. Worshipful George
Hunt, Master of Galt Lodge, made the presentation to the
recipient on behalf of his lodge and his fellowmen. Brother
Walter L. Kemmerer, representing the Grand Lodge Committee on
Film and Creative Projects, was the guest speaker.
When the Grand Master of Masons in California,
Kermit Jacobson, heard of the great acceptance of the award he
called and congratulated Brother Kemmerer on the success of the
event and told him he thought it would be a good thing for the
Grand Lodge to initiate. A meeting was arranged by Senior Grand
Warden Donald G. Ingalls and the Chairman of the Film and
Creative Projects Committee to discuss the project. It was agreed
to try it for one year on the road and see what effect it would
have. Needless to say, it was an immediate success and resulted
in requests from other states for information regarding the Hiram
Award.
From the very inception of the Hiram Award in
San Pedro, H. Douglas Lemons was interested in the program and
was appointed to the committee by Grand Master Kermit Jacobson.
When he became Grand Master he was very instrumental in making
presentations as well as approving of the Award.
The question arises as to who shall receive the
highest award Grand Lodge and Blue Lodge can bestow upon a
brother. The answer is a worthy Master Mason. How many should a
lodge have in one year? The answer is one per year. It
should never be a secret presentation. The responsibilities are
too great and the shock may cause serious damage even to a strong
and healthy brother.
Also, the candidate must be notified once he
has been selected to receive the Hiram Award so that he can
invite his freiends and relatives. Some have traveled from the
East Coast to attend a presentation. There was a case where two
sisters and a brother came from the East Coast to see their
brother receive the award and they had not seen him for 32 years.
There shall never be more than one Hiram Award
presented in one evening and no other presentation should be
made. Positively, never two or three at the same time. In one
case we heard of a lodge having eight in one evening. Remember,
brethren, this is a solemn event and when you have more than one
you take away from the very reason you are honoring a brother
with the greatest award his lodge can give - it is his night and
his night alone.
Remember, my brethren, Masonry owes a great deal of gratitude and a special tribute to our many brethren who have devoted their lives to the Fraternity, and so, in return, let us give them one night alone to stand at the altar and be recognized by his brethren throughout the world.