Degree Conferred on Re-enactor By Team in Civil War Attire

The "Civil War Degree Team" at Henry M. Phillips Lodge No. 337 comprised (l-r): Front ­ Harry W. Fisher, James Cochran Lodge No. 614, Dawson, as Tyler; Edward L. Kelly, Sr. as Purs.; Bro. Michael Colosimo; Bro. Yilit, W.M.; and Joseph Acton, Treas. Middle ­ David E. Kearns, P.M., Conferring W.M.; David L. Shields, Jr., Corinthian Lodge No. 573, Pittsburgh; David E. Kearns, Jr., as J.D.; George L. Diehl, Jr., as J.M.C.; and David D. Morgan, as Chaplain. Rear ­ James R. Archibold, as S.W.; William A. Ball, J.W.; Edsel Burkholder as S.D.; and Timothy A. Kearns as S.M.C.

Michael Louis Colosimo was 14 years old when he first visited the Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial Monument in Gettysburg and became a fledgling Civil War enthusiast. He was 19 when he became a Civil War re-enactor. When he was 21, he became a Mason, and this March 1 was raised a Master Mason by a "Civil War Degree Team," a group of Brethren in authentic attire of both the North and the South armies ­ a stirring recollection of the brotherhood that transcends even the animosities of war as portrayed in the Friend to Friend Monument.

It was his grandfather, the late Louis J. Colosimo, of Henry M. Phillips Lodge No. 337, Monongahela, who took Michael to the Gettysburg Battlefield and the Friend-to-Friend Monument in the National Cemetery Annex in the Fall of 1995. He explained that the statue portrays Union Capt. and Bro. Henry Bingham coming to the aid of Confederate Gen. and Bro. Lewis Armistead during Pickett's Charge and honors all Freemasons who fought in all the wars and conflicts of the United States.

Impressed by that visit, Michael sought to become a Civil War re-enactor. In 2000, he met Bro. Ed Kelly, Captain of a Civil War re-enactment group, the 105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company E. Michael enlisted as a re-enactor and Bro. Kelly, a member of Stephen Bayard Lodge No. 526, Elizabeth, became his mentor. Together, they visited many battlefields, performing historic re-enactments.

At 21, Michael petitioned Henry M. Phillips Lodge No. 337 where his father, Raymond R. Colosimo, is a member. It was Michael's father who suggested to Stephen Yilit, W.M., that it would be unique to have a "Degree Team in Civil War attire" confer the Master Mason's Degree on Michael. Craig W. Suppo, D.D.G.M., 31st Masonic District, acquired a dispensation from R.W. Grand Master Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr., and at an Extra Meeting on March 1, the Degree was conferred by Bro. David E. Kearns, P.M., with the Conferring Officers in authentic Civil War attire. Michael's father, Raymond Colosimo, was the Guide.

After the Degree was conferred, Michael's uncle, Bro. Joseph Colosimo, of Blythe Lodge No. 593, West Newton, recalled the original visit to the Monument with his grandfather in 1995 and in memory of his deceased brother, Louis J., presented a "Friend to Friend" statuette to Michael.

The recently raised Master Mason is a senior majoring in history at California University of Pennsylvania. In the Fall of 2001, he took part in the filming of the major motion picture on the Civil War, "Gods & Generals." Bro. Colosimo has been a guest speaker at lodges about the Civil War and his experiences in the making of a motion picture. This Summer he will serve an internship with the National Park Service at Harpers Ferry.