More than 70 brethren with common interests in law enforcement attended the first general meeting of the newly formed Pennsylvania Shield and Square Club held Nov. 15 in the Grand Banquet Hall of the Masonic Temple, Philadelphia. Guest speaker for the evening was then-R.W. Grand Master James L. Ernette (second from left in picture below) who spoke of the need to unify those brethren in law enforcement to work with the Grand Lodge in providing security at special events across the Commonwealth, in assisting symbolic lodges in creating interesting education programs, and in providing a forum for brethren with common interests to interact.

The President of the new club is William T. Bergman (at lectern), former Deputy Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department and currently a Vice President at Temple University. Bro. Bergman honored those brethren present at the banquet with certificates of appreciation in recognition for being charter members of the newly formed club. Dignitaries attending included Bro. and Col. Paul J. Evanko (left), Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police; Bro. and Lt. Col. Joseph H. Westcott (at right), Deputy Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. Not pictured are Bro. and Lt. Col. Thomas K. Coury, Deputy Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police and Bro. Vincent J. Borelli, Chief of the Delaware River Port Authority.

Membership of the Shield and Square Club comprises brethren who are active in, or retired from, Pennsylvania law enforcement, but limited to those who have held arrest powers granted by the Commonwealth. Current membership is almost 300 brethren from across the state.

The next scheduled meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Mar. 20, in the Masonic Temple. Any brethren meeting the membership requirements who are interested in joining the Shield and Square Club should contact Bro. Raymond G. Brown, Treasurer, at 215-988-1978.