Page 22 - Sojourner Newsletter-Summer 2024 Final1

22 THE SOJOURNER

IN THE NEWS

NATIONAL AMERICANISM ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS

The winners of the National Sojourners Americanism Essay contest for 2023-2024 described
“three main causes of the American Revolutionary War and how they led to armed conflict
with Great Britain”.

1st Place: $3,000 award 2nd Place: $2,000 award 3rd Place: $1,000 award
Miss Anneliesa M. Kays Dylan S. Herald Sydney R. McBride
Sponsored by Sponsored by Sponsored by
Clarence H Cohen #162 Melvin W. Byers #503 Old Dominion #364
Martinez, Gorgia Fort Myers, Florida Fairfax, Virginia

Brother Lloyd Gathright

Brothers and Ladies, an important and unique event happened on 15 July 2024
at Mt. Zion Lodge #10 in Batesville Arkansas.

I had the pleasure of bestowing membership in National Sojourners and
Heroes of 76 on Brother Lloyd Gathright. Brother Lloyd is the oldest living
mason in the State of Arkansas. He is also the oldest Scottish Rite Mason and
WWII veteran in the Country. He is 106 years old and will be 107 on
September 20 of this year. He served from 1942-1945 and from 1948-1966 and
served during all three wars WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. According to his
niece, he retired as a Staff Sergeant.

On the 15th of July Brother Lloyd was honored to receive his KCCH, also his
50-year hat. He has been a mason for over 68 years and over 50 years in the
Scottish Rite.

In celebrating this achievement, a special Masonic ceremony was held at
Mount Zion Lodge #10 in Batesville Arkansas. The Most Worshipful Grand
Master of Masons in Arkansas, Brother Darrell Gifford, and the Scottish Rite
Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Arkansas, Dr. James Graham, 33°, along
with many local Masons, officially invested Brother Gathright with his Knight
Commander's cap and patent. Deputy of the Supreme Council in Oregon,
Brother Rick Komraus, 33°, also assisted in the ceremony to represent the
Grand Lodge of and Scottish Rite of Oregon, where Brother Lloyd still holds
membership. The public and media were invited to witness this extraordinary
once-in-a-lifetime event.

Fraternally,
Carl Diamond,
President, National Sojourners