"Brotherhood Undivided" Heralded at Commemorative Event For the Friend to Friend National Memorial Monument

A crowd estimated in excess of 150 attended the wreath-laying ceremony at the 10th Anniversary Commemoration for the Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial Monument in the enhanced Annex at the Gettysburg National Battlefield Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 23. The Monument, heralding "Brotherhood Undivided," was dedicated by then-R.W. Grand Master Edward H. Fowler, Jr. and the Grand Lodge Officers on Aug. 21, 1993. It depicts Masonic Brothers, Union Captain Henry Bingham coming to the aid of Confederate General Lewis Armistead.

Sheldon A. Munn, P.M., Lafayette Lodge No. 194, and John F. Schwartz, P.M., Good Samaritan Lodge No. 336, Co-Chairmen for the event, led the commemorative ceremonies which included three brief, motivating presentations by Brethren from Good Samaritan Lodge No. 336: "Freemasonry" by Victor J. Reale, P.M.; "Masonry in America" by Thomas F. Winter, P.M.; "Good Samaritan Lodge" by Keith E. Whittaker, W.M. The invocation was offered by Lee N. Whitaker, P.M., William S. Snyder Lodge No. 756, and the benediction by Rev. Harold Dunkelberger, Good Samaritan Lodge No. 336.

In a surprise conclusion to the program at the Monument, Bro. Munn gave special recognition to Bro. Schwartz for the countless hours he dedicated to the Monument and presented him with citations from the House of Representatives and the Senate "on behalf of the citizens of Gettysburg, Harrisburg, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."

Eighty-four persons attended the evening banquet in the Dobbins House, across Steinwehr Avenue from the Monument, where Edwin R. Junkin, P.M., West Shore Lodge No. 681, architect for the Monument, introduced the sculptor, Bro. Ron Tunison, of Cairo, NY. Bro. Tunison outlined the history of the Monument and did a commendable job describing his role in creating it. It was a pleasant surprise when, during the evening, Bro. James Ryan, from Washington-Alexandria Lodge No. 22 in Virginia, brought greetings from the home Lodge of Gen. Lewis Armistead.