Today our official Battlefield is 2,138 miles from the one in Orlando, Florida. And while Orlando can get toasty, Scottsdale makes the warmest Orlando summer day seem like “sweater weather” on the Scottish Highlands. Yeah, it’s a “dry heat”, kind of like the business end of a hair drier. But to be fair, our son who spent some time in Kuwait says that even Arizona heat is tame compared to the real, vast desert sands of the Middle East.
Joining us here in Scottsdale are many members of our south Florida Knights and Dames of the Commandery of the Holy Trinity, led by Chev. Howard Giraldo. The really fantastic news is that they will arrive a Commandery but will depart the newest Priory in GPUSA! Indeed, one of the ceremonial functions on Saturday will be to stand them up as a Priory.
Accompanying Claudia and I here in sunny Arizona is also Temple Church Chancellor, Tom Beaton who will receive the prestigious Legion of Merit – an award that is very well deserved! Also here are former Priors Linda Ross and Bob Miller with Registrar Margo Miller. With us also is Temple Church Secretary Kim Seals. I am just guessing – but it seems that Temple Church may have the largest delegation of this Grand C&I of any other non-local priory.
If you have never been to a Grand C&I, let me encourage you to plan to attend next year in North Carolina. It is so amazing to attend a Grand C&I and witness the true scope of our activities around the world. The many break-out meetings and whole convent assemblies are truly deeply encouraging and give a very deep look into the inner workings of the big machine. And then who can forget the Grand Banquet, which is always, well, GRAND!