My Dad

Every year has its highs & lows and this year has been no different. I experienced my lowest point on Thursday October 22nd when my Father, Edgar Powell, Jr. passed on after what seems like a long battle against bad lungs, heart & stomach problems.

My Dad was not a Mason. He was many things but I couldn't convince him to become my Brother. He was married for 53 years to my Mom, Betty (in photo) who looked after him religiously - no one could have ever asked for a more devoted wife. He was well loved in my home town of Brushton, NY (try to find it on a map of northern NY State) and he was active with the American Legion, Moira Volunteer Fire Department and almost any youth sporting organization that was to be found in our town. He liked to have fun, but his last few years didn't allow him to get out like he used to - he will be missed by everyone who knew him.

His "send off" was a tribute to him -- my wife described it in emails to family & friends:

We have just arrived home a few hours ago after what has been a very sad week.We did not have the luxury of cell phone or computer access up north, only in the hospital library and my only quick email on that morning was to my boss. Rick's parents live in a region that is not serviced by most modern day communication things.

Edgar passed away Thursday October 22nd at 5:10am. We were there and it was very peaceful, he died in his sleep. He was waked on Friday, and I can honestly tell you hundreds of people came for the two calling hours, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening.

Saturday was the funeral and the Fire Department led the procession to the church and then to the grave site with Edgar's uniform on the back and a black flag flying. Then there was the Rescue (Ambulance) Department who closed off all the roads for the procession to pass and saluted him and they were all decked out in their uniforms. Then there was the American Legion for Military Veterans who gave a twenty one gun salute and presented each grandchild with a spent shell and then presented Betty with a the flag that had draped the casket and the rest of the spent shells expertly wrapped in it and placed it in a display case which is now sitting on our mantel. This makes Rick happy.

Many, many people, both young and old thought the world of Edgar. He was very involved in the community as you can tell from my account. He will be dearly missed.

We have all been very upset about the loss of Edgar and we will all miss him very much. Conor took it the worse when the last call came from the Fire Department while at the grave site. The fire engine radio calls out Edgar's name and calls him for the last call and all the Fire Men were standing to attention. It was heart breaking. Such is the passing of a very good man in a small town and how he is honored.

Dad - you will be missed but never forgotten. Edgar Powell, Jr., 1932-2009

DeMolay

Yesterday (9/27/09) was a very big & emotional day for the Powell family - no we didn't finish reading "The Lost Symbol" (still plugging away - not what they would call great literature, but I am enjoying it) and it wasn't because the Jets won again (J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets! Jets!). No yesterday afternoon, my son, Conor, was installed as the Master Councilor for Trinity Chapter, Order of DeMolay and following that Installation, DeMolay's Honory Legion of Honor was conferred upon me.

As I said, it was emotional. Not for Conor. Not for my wife, Marian. But for me...

Ok, I am sure that they had their moments but I am usually the very reserved one (much to the surprise of all my old college friends) at these things. But not today. Nope.

At the completion of the Legion of Honor ceremony, I was asked to say a few words. Not a problem, as a Past DDGM, AGL, etc., I have often spoken in front of large crowds. But something happened.

The applause from the crowd turned in to the DeMolay's version which I equate to almost a type of clapping chant. And I lost it.

I tried to thank Marian & Conor for all their support. For all the nights that I am away on Masonic business, for their understanding and their love. I wanted to thank MW Bruce Widger, a Past Grand Master for the State of New York, my Masonic Mentor & friend. I barely got any of it out when I was overcome with emotion. Yeah. That's right. I balled like a baby.

Afterward, the NY State Master Councilor, Andrew Roberts spoke and reminded us all that a reaction such as mine usually springs from very strong feelings. He is absolutely correct. In the Order of DeMolay, I have found an organization that I wish I had known about as a teen ager - I would have loved it as, I think, my own son does. In today's fast & loose society, it's still nice to see an organization that promotes such things as love of parents, reverence for sacred things, courtesy, comradeship, fidelity, cleanness and patriotism. It's nice to know that you can be a part of all these things and still be cool. And cool they are...

But these guys need Advisers. If you are a very active Freemason and even if you are not that active, these young men need you, your Lodge, your Scottish Rite Valley, your York Rite bodies to step up and support them. They need money, yes that always helps, but more importantly they need your involvement. Go find the nearest DeMolay Chapter and volunteer to be an Adviser - they always need rides to & from events, help at their meetings and they need new members so bring in your sons, grandsons and nephews. It will be the most rewarding thing you will ever do. It has been for me.

After I composed myself, I asked Trinity Chapter to stand. I told them "this award may have been for me, but it is all about you." And it is. DeMolay is a great organization and I am extremely honored & humbled to be a new Legionnaire, but it's not about us, it's about them. Those young men are our future. Think about that...

Sneak Preview

Tomorrow's the big day! Freemasons everywhere, brace yourselves for the onslaught of "Lost Symbol" mania...

Yesterday, Parade Magazine had Dan Brown and his new book as its cover story. Here you can read a sneak preview of the book with its prologue and first chapter. They also have an interview with Mr. Brown here.

The Prologue starts the book at the House of the Temple with Dan Brown's idea of Masonic Initiation - mind you, he is not a Freemason, so it's his interpretation of something he has not experienced. Initiation has to be experienced - reading (or writing, in this case) about it can never do it justice and always creates inaccuracies.

That said, I for one, hope that he has done justice to the fraternity and I look forward to reading it beginning tomorrow...

What, Me Worry?

Well, we are just a couple of days away from the release of Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol"...

What have I been up to since my last post? Not worrying about his book - looking forward to it but not worrying about. After all, most of us expected this book about 3-4 years ago and were preparing for it then. Let's read it before we panic.

What I have been up to this summer is keeping busy despite the crappy weather we experienced. I attended the New York Council of Deliberation, the New York DeMolay State Convention, worked at a Safety ID session with Trinity DeMolay Chapter and drove my son to soccer tryouts (he made the Varsity team as a Freshman).

At the DeMolay State Convention, I learned that I was to receive their Honorary Legion of Honor - a very big surprise so I am very excited & honored by this. It will be conferred upon me on Sunday September 27th - the same that I hope to also see my son installed as Master Councilor of Trinity Chapter.

A busy summer, yes, but not spent worrying about "The Lost Symbol" - there will plenty of time for that on Tuesday...

The Face of the Lost Symbol

The cover of Dan Brown's followup to "The DaVinci Code" was revealed yesterday. The US cover (left) shows a background of Alchemical symbols with a tear revealing the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Smack dab in the middle of the page is a wax seal of the 33rd Degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. The UK cover (below right) depicts a key with the Masonic Square & Compasses over the Capitol.

Rumors for the past several years have hinted that the novel will concern the Freemasons and our Nation's Capitol. The covers seems to suggest the same. I guess it is time to brush up Alchemy, Scottish Rite symbolism - and that means Albert Pike and the "mysterious" lay out of Washington.

I would like to thank Brother Chris Hodapp who also pointed out a very interesting blog detailing "tweets" concerning the book - check out "Key to the Lost Symbol Tweets"

"The Lost Symbol" hits the shelf on September 15th, 2009.