Knights Preceptor
Knights Preceptor Virginia Chapter Officers VA Grand Officers History Officers Current Line Officers Preceptor: Romulo M. Capuno Deputy Preceptor: Jason W. Lotz Treasurer-Recorder: James B. Bartley Master of Templars: Frederick R. Dixon Seneschal: Peter R. Spring Marshal: Dennis M. Haas Prelate: Scott L. Fielding Sentinel: William Searcy, III Living Past Preceptors Jackie L. Harrison (UNK) James W. Golladay, Jr. (UNK) James A. Fields, Jr .(2013-2014) Baldwin G. Locher, Jr. (2014-2015) Donald L. McAndrews (2015-2016) Mark T. Pennypacker, Sr. (2020-2022) Peter J. Gordon (2022-2023) VA Grand Officers Current Grand Officers Michael J. KastleGrand Seneschal James B. BartleyGrand Marshal Past Grand Officers Jackie L. HarrisonPast Sovereign Grand Preceptor2009-2010 Charles W. WagnerPast Sovereign Grand Preceptor2013-2014 James W. Golladay, Jr.Past Sovereign Grand Preceptor2019-2020 Donald L. McAndrewsPast Sovereign Grand Preceptor2022-2023 History HISTORY by Thurman C. Pace, Jr.Past Grand CommanderKnights Templar of New Jersey Upon completion of my term as Commander of Trinity Commandery No. 17, K.T., in 1966, I was disappointed that the Grand Commandery of New Jersey didn’t have an organization that recognized Past Commanders. The Grand Royal Arch Chapter had the “Orders of Anointed High Priests,” and the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters had the “Council of T.I.M.s” which in some jurisdictions is referred to as the “Order of the Silver Trowel.” HistoryOne of the objectives I had upon being installed as the Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of New Jersey on March 6, 1976, was to establish an organization for those who were serving as Commanders or had previously served as Commanders of their Commanderies. Being fully aware of my inability to write ritual, I requested my best friend, Wallace M. Gage, a Past Grand Commander of New Jersey and an outstanding writer, to write the ritual for what is now known as “The Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor”. The Grand Chapter of the Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor was formed on February 22, 1977, at a meeting held in Westfield, New Jersey, at which time the Constitution, Laws, and Ritual for the Order were adopted. The purpose and objective of the Order was to promote the cause of Chivalric Masonry through a dedication of Templar Leadership to its principles, and to further the knowledge of its history, background, customs, usage, and traditions. At the aforementioned meeting of the Grand Chapter, a charter was granted to New Jersey Chapter, Order of Knights Preceptor, with yours truly as its first Preceptor. The Order was conferred for the first time on Friday, March 4 1977, during the 117th Stated Conclave of the Grand Commandery of New Jersey, held at the Howard Johnson Regency Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Conferral of the Order was carried out by the charter officers of the New Jersey Chapter as follows: Preceptor Thurman C. Pace, Jr., Grand CommanderMaster of Templars Theodore F. Voelter, Past Department CommanderSeneschal W. Percy Edwards, Past Grand CommanderMarshal Wallace M. Gage, Past Grand CommanderPrelate Gordon J. Brenner, Past Grand CommanderSentinel Robert W. Gibson, Hon. Past Grand Commander The Charter class of 139 included 86 from New Jersey, 8 from Connecticut, 5 from the District of Columbia, 8 from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 5 from New York, 3 from Pennsylvania, 7 from Virginia, 2 from Vermont, 5 from Maine, 8 from Maryland, 1 from Alabama, and 1 from Arkansas. The class Exemplar was Sir Knight Kenneth Culver Johnson, Right Eminent Grand Generalissimo of the Grand Encampment or Knights Templar of the U.S.A. Also in the class was Sir Knight John B. Cottrell, Right Eminent Deputy Grand Master. Ironically, Sir Knight Cottrell died two months later and within weeks Sir Knight Johnson suffered a severe stroke. Over the years, Charters were issued to the following states: Maine, Virginia (1984), Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky (1985), Texas (August 15, 1994), California (April 29, 2000), and Maryland, bringing our total number of Chapters to 9. I am in correspondence with Tennessee relative to issuing them a Charter. I have served for over a quarter of a century as Sovereign Grand Preceptor of the Grand Chapter of the Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor. Since July 9, 2003, when this history was written, Charters have been issued to: Sovereign Grand Preceptors Chapter on March 27, 2004; Idaho Chapter on October 14, 2004; and the Charter of California Chapter was withdrawn on April 12, 2005; bringing the total number of Chapters to 10. Current Line Officers Preceptor: Romulo M. Capuno Deputy Preceptor: Jason W. Lotz Treasurer-Recorder: James B. Bartley Master of Templars: Frederick R. Dixon Seneschal: Peter R. Spring Marshal: Dennis M. Haas Prelate: Scott L. Fielding Sentinel: William Searcy, III Living Past Preceptors Jackie L. Harrison (UNK) James W. Golladay, Jr. (UNK) James A. Fields, Jr .(2013-2014) Baldwin G. Locher, Jr. (2014-2015) Donald L. McAndrews (2015-2016) Mark T. Pennypacker, Sr. (2020-2022) Peter J. Gordon (2022-2023) Current Grand Officers Michael J. KastleGrand Seneschal James B. BartleyGrand Marshal Past Grand Officers Jackie L. HarrisonPast Sovereign Grand Preceptor2009-2010 Charles W. WagnerPast Sovereign Grand Preceptor2013-2014 James W. Golladay, Jr.Past Sovereign Grand Preceptor2019-2020 Donald L. McAndrewsPast Sovereign Grand Preceptor2022-2023 HISTORY by Thurman C. Pace, Jr.Past Grand CommanderKnights Templar of New Jersey Upon completion of my term as Commander of Trinity Commandery No. 17, K.T., in 1966, I was disappointed that the Grand Commandery of New Jersey didn’t have an organization that recognized Past Commanders. The Grand Royal Arch Chapter had the “Orders of Anointed High Priests,” and the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters had the “Council of T.I.M.s” which in some jurisdictions is referred to as the “Order of the Silver Trowel.” HistoryOne of the objectives I had upon being installed as the Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of New Jersey on March 6, 1976, was to establish an organization for those who were serving as Commanders or had previously served as Commanders of their Commanderies. Being fully aware of my inability to write ritual, I requested my best friend, Wallace M. Gage, a Past Grand Commander
Companion of the Temple
Companion of the Temple 2000 Mary P. Wigglesworth 2001 Florence B. Foster 2002 Sharon R. Carpenter 2005 Anne DechentLynn Mayberry 2008 Patricia B. ReardonNancy S. McGrath 2009 Eva W. LongworthBarbara C. Bongiovi 2011 Susan L. Maybery 2012 Ellen Cotner 2016 Sandra RatliffCarolann P. Hill 2017 Tammy BurchamMarlene HendersonChristi D. Reed 2018 M Pamela McClellandGale MayberyBeth Howerton 2019 Grace Eva E. CapunoSue Richardson 2020 Cassandra H. McBrideMary O. MurrayPamela G. Stephenson 2021 Sylvia Conner FieldingLuz Tucay SearcyRoxane Maria Young 2023 Debbie BroceChelsea AtkinsonAmanda T. Bacchus (DC) 2025 Laura May Nelson HaasDaphne Denton HarveyJanet JarmenCynthia Smith Surface 2026 Jennifer AbatsisVanya ConnerTraci LambertRebecca NunnSherry Spring
Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests
Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests Brief Description The Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests is an honorary and invitational organization with membership limitations and cannot be applied for. Members are selected and extended invitations on the basis of outstanding performance as a Commander of a Commandery of Knights Templar. The order has historic roots in England that trace back to 1786, with references back to 1686, the traditional year of revival. The “Priestly Order” was referred to within the ceremonies of “The High Knights Templar” in Ireland in 1755. There are records of the conferral of this Order in the United States during the 1800’s but the authority is unknown. The Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests was formed in the United States in 1931. The limit of Regular Members in a Tabernacle is 33. The number of Tabernacles in a state is dependent on the number of active Commanderies in each state. The Garden of Gethsemane NOVA Vita Welcome to our new official Home Page for The Garden of Gethsemane, Tabernacle II Richmond, Virginia Very Eminent PreceptorPeter J. Gordon – 2023 Current Line Officers Preceptor: Peter J. GordonDeputy Preceptor: Peter R. SpringRegistrar: Thomas L. Varner, Jr.Seventh Pillar: Randall D. ReedSixth Pillar: Cliff GregoryFifth Pillar: Joseph E. GadeaFourth Pillar: Bruce RichardsonThird Pillar: Patrick MurpheySecond Pillar: Dennis HaasFirst Pillar: Clint HuesInner Guard: Richard RawlsOuter Guard: Scott Fielding Meets the second Saturday in December and was one of the Three Tabernacles which formed The Grand College of America on May 27, 1933. For Information contact: Thomas L. Varner, Jr. Welcome to our new official Home Page for NOVA VitaTabernacle No. LXXIII Manassas, Virginia Very Eminent PreceptorDaniel W. Thompson – 2024 Current Line Officers Preceptor: Daniel W. ThompsonDeputy Preceptor: Romulo M. CapunoTreasurer: Thomas G. Little, KCAssistant Treasurer: Jason W. LotzRegistrar: James B. Bartley, KCSeventh Pillar: Rev. Richard E. SaundersSixth Pillar: Michael T. HuffFifth Pillar: Peter S. JensenFourth Pillar: Matthew S. BourelleThird Pillar: Jeremy B. UttSecond Pillar: Carl E. WeaverFirst Pillar: D. Cole DavidInner Guard: J. Brandon HaleOuter Guard: David E. PottsPrelate: William Searcy, III Living Past Preceptors andKnight Commanders John R. Wigglesworth, Jr* – 1998Edwin R. Carpenter, Jr* – 2000Walter P. Benesch* – 2001Charles W. Wagner* – 2007Mark W. Underwood* – 2010James W. Golladay, Jr – 2011James B. Bartley – 2012Raymond D. Steele – 2014Donald L. McAndrews – 2016David C. Morris – 2017John W. Bullach, Jr – 2018Joel D. Ratliff, Sr – 2021Jason W. Lotz – 2022Thomas G. Little – 2023 * Emeritus Members Meets the 1st Saturday in June and the Saturday after Thanksgiving (Annual Meeting) in Manassas, Virginia. For Information contact: James B. Bartley, KC Welcome to our new official Home Page for The Garden of Gethsemane, Tabernacle II Richmond, Virginia Very Eminent PreceptorPeter J. Gordon – 2023 Current Line Officers Preceptor: Peter J. GordonDeputy Preceptor: Peter R. SpringRegistrar: Thomas L. Varner, Jr.Seventh Pillar: Randall D. ReedSixth Pillar: Cliff GregoryFifth Pillar: Joseph E. GadeaFourth Pillar: Bruce RichardsonThird Pillar: Patrick MurpheySecond Pillar: Dennis HaasFirst Pillar: Clint HuesInner Guard: Richard RawlsOuter Guard: Scott Fielding Meets the second Saturday in December and was one of the Three Tabernacles which formed The Grand College of America on May 27, 1933. For Information contact: Thomas L. Varner, Jr. Welcome to our new official Home Page for NOVA VitaTabernacle No. LXXIII Manassas, Virginia Very Eminent PreceptorDaniel W. Thompson – 2024 Current Line Officers Preceptor: Daniel W. ThompsonDeputy Preceptor: Romulo M. CapunoTreasurer: Thomas G. Little, KCAssistant Treasurer: Jason W. LotzRegistrar: James B. Bartley, KCSeventh Pillar: Rev. Richard E. SaundersSixth Pillar: Michael T. HuffFifth Pillar: Peter S. JensenFourth Pillar: Matthew S. BourelleThird Pillar: Jeremy B. UttSecond Pillar: Carl E. WeaverFirst Pillar: D. Cole DavidInner Guard: J. Brandon HaleOuter Guard: David E. PottsPrelate: William Searcy, III Living Past Preceptors andKnight Commanders John R. Wigglesworth, Jr* – 1998Edwin R. Carpenter, Jr* – 2000Walter P. Benesch* – 2001Charles W. Wagner* – 2007Mark W. Underwood* – 2010James W. Golladay, Jr – 2011James B. Bartley – 2012Raymond D. Steele – 2014Donald L. McAndrews – 2016David C. Morris – 2017John W. Bullach, Jr – 2018Joel D. Ratliff, Sr – 2021Jason W. Lotz – 2022Thomas G. Little – 2023 * Emeritus Members Meets the 1st Saturday in June and the Saturday after Thanksgiving (Annual Meeting) in Manassas, Virginia. For Information contact: James B. Bartley, KC
Knight York Cross of Honour
Knight York Cross of Honour Rose of Sharon Priory No. 2 Requirements Officers Past Priors Requirements The Order was formed in Monroe, North Carolina on March 13,1930. On June 6,1930 the Convent General of the United States of America was formed to administer the Order. Membership in the Knights of the York Cross of Honour (KYCH) cannot be applied for. In order to be considered for membership, a proposed candidate must have served as Presiding Officer for Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, and Commandery. Knights of the York Cross of Honour is a Honor Group of York Rite Masons who are dedicated to serving the Masonic Fraternity as a Labor of Love. No individual should aspire to membership in KYCH, when he has done the required work, and done it well, he will be invited to membership. Those who labor will be rewarded by being invited. After a Mason has fulfilled the requirements of membership, his name may be proposed for membership by a member of the K.Y.C.H.. The prospective member should not know that he has been proposed. When a Priory receives a proposed, such proposal must be held over until the next stated meeting of the Priory before it is Balloted on. Some of the Ballot rules vary in different Jurisdictions, to comply with Grand Lodge Rules and Regulations. In this Jurisdiction the prospect must receive a unanimous vote by secret Ballot. The prospective proposal should not know that his name was proposed until he is official notified that he is elected to be invited to petition to membership. If this rule is followed, no one that is proposed and rejected should ever know that he was proposed and rejected, thereby saving much embarrassment. to everyone. Officers Current Line Officers Prior: Frederick R. Dixon, Sr. Deputy Prior: Michael T. Huff Warder: Peter S. Jensen Registrar/Treasurer: Peter S. Jensen Prelate: Joseph E. Gadea Orator: Mark W. Underwood, KYGCH Herald: Patrick C. Murphrey Sentinel: Joel D. Ratliff, Sr. Lecturers Symbolic Lodge: SK Thomas Varner R. A. Chapter: SK Joe Gilbert Broce, KYGCH Cryptic Council: SK Brandon Hale Commandery: SK D. Cole David Past Priors 1998 Jackie Lee Harrison 2003 Baldwin Gerard Locher, Jr., KYGCH 2004 John R. Wigglesworth, Jr., KYGCH 2008 Jay L Cotner, KYGCH 2010 Edwin Richard Carpenter, Jr., KYGCH 2011 Charles Warren Wagner, KYGCH 2015 Lawrence Barton Smith, KYGCH 2017 Donald L. McAndrews, KYGCH 2018 Peter J. Gordon 2019 H. Lee Arritt, Jr. 2020 Daniel H. Surface, KYGCH 2021 Jason W. Lotz 2022 James B. Bartley The Order was formed in Monroe, North Carolina on March 13,1930. On June 6,1930 the Convent General of the United States of America was formed to administer the Order. Membership in the Knights of the York Cross of Honour (KYCH) cannot be applied for. In order to be considered for membership, a proposed candidate must have served as Presiding Officer for Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, and Commandery. Knights of the York Cross of Honour is a Honor Group of York Rite Masons who are dedicated to serving the Masonic Fraternity as a Labor of Love. No individual should aspire to membership in KYCH, when he has done the required work, and done it well, he will be invited to membership. Those who labor will be rewarded by being invited. After a Mason has fulfilled the requirements of membership, his name may be proposed for membership by a member of the K.Y.C.H.. The prospective member should not know that he has been proposed. When a Priory receives a proposed, such proposal must be held over until the next stated meeting of the Priory before it is Balloted on. Some of the Ballot rules vary in different Jurisdictions, to comply with Grand Lodge Rules and Regulations. In this Jurisdiction the prospect must receive a unanimous vote by secret Ballot. The prospective proposal should not know that his name was proposed until he is official notified that he is elected to be invited to petition to membership. If this rule is followed, no one that is proposed and rejected should ever know that he was proposed and rejected, thereby saving much embarrassment. to everyone. Current Line Officers Prior: Frederick R. Dixon, Sr. Deputy Prior: Michael T. Huff Warder: Peter S. Jensen Registrar/Treasurer: Peter S. Jensen Prelate: Joseph E. Gadea Orator: Mark W. Underwood, KYGCH Herald: Patrick C. Murphrey Sentinel: Joel D. Ratliff, Sr. Lecturers Symbolic Lodge: SK Thomas Varner R. A. Chapter: SK Joe Gilbert Broce, KYGCH Cryptic Council: SK Brandon Hale Commandery: SK D. Cole David 1998 Jackie Lee Harrison 2003 Baldwin Gerard Locher, Jr., KYGCH 2004 John R. Wigglesworth, Jr., KYGCH 2008 Jay L Cotner, KYGCH 2010 Edwin Richard Carpenter, Jr., KYGCH 2011 Charles Warren Wagner, KYGCH 2015 Lawrence Barton Smith, KYGCH 2017 Donald L. McAndrews, KYGCH 2018 Peter J. Gordon 2019 H. Lee Arritt, Jr. 2020 Daniel H. Surface, KYGCH 2021 Jason W. Lotz 2022 James B. Bartley Welcome to our new official Home Page for the Rose of Sharon, Priory No. 2. Richmond, VirginiaInstituted March 11, 1934 Frederick R. Dixon, Sr.Eminent Prior2022 – 2023 Meetings are held during the Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Virginia, and during the Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Virginia. For Information contact: Peter S. Jensen14415 Glencrest CircleCentreville, VA 20120703-989-3368pjensen@HL57.com
Knight Grand Cross of the Temple
Knight Grand Cross of the Temple 2022 James Dean Cole
Grice Award
Grice Award 1985 John R. Wigglesworth Jr. 1986 B. Franklin Shearwood 1990 Paul L. Purdy 1991 George D. Gilbreath 1994 John E. Foster 1996 Loren W. Brown 1997 Michael G. FulcherIra C. Hudson 1998 Roy T. GregoryMark W. Underwood 1999 Henry B. JenkinsLeon H. Saville 2000 Joseph P. WestfallDanny L. Bowman 2001 Robert L. PriceCharles E. Cave 2002 James H. Banton, Sr.Jamil I. Gabro 2003 Lawrence B. SmithJohn M. Chambliss, Jr. 2004 Nelson C. Trinkle 2005 Davis B. Carter 2006 Roland E. GauthierBruce L. van Buren 2007 Warren W. SchmidJames E. Daugherty 2009 Raymond D. SteeleH. Arthur Decent 2011 Jesse A. Hughes 2013 Randall R. Reed 2015 Mark T. PennypackerHafford L. Arritt 2016 Joseph R. Murray, Sr.Dennis Haas 2017 Peter S. JensenRaymon W. Bacchus (DC) 2018 Joseph B. HaleJason D. Matchett 2019 Donald P. HarmanMatthew S. Bourelle 2020 Wayne H. AndersonMichael T. Huff 2021 J. Richard Rawls 2022 Frederick R. Dixon, Sr.Ariel I. Alcantara 2023 Paul William LockhartTimothy Anderson Dahlman 2024 Joshua William PayneDavid Ray Conner 2025 Craig Alan CoxStuart Kenneth Jarman 2026 Anthony Lee DanielJason Lee Taliaferro
Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal 2020 Robert Arthur BruceJohn Raymond GoodwinJeffrey Aquino ParasJohn Richard RawlsMichael Lee FlanneryHoward Pratt Haynie Jr. 2021 Robin Craig SowersJoseph Brandon HaleDaniel Hufford Surface Jr.Bruce Allen RichardsonJohn William Eanes Jr. 2022 Danilo Baldoz DiegoRobert Garland McBrideJames Paul NunnWilliam Dean RobinsonCharles Robert Bryant Jr.
Knight Templar Cross of Honour
Knight Templar Cross of Honour 2004 Joseph P. Westfall 2006 Michael Joseph KastleRoland E. McCord 2007 C. Jarrett Frame 2009 Danny L. Bowman 2011 Walter P. BeneschBruce L. van Buren 2012 Benjamin F. Hill 2013 Frederick E. Lewis 2015 Joseph C. Lineberry, Jr. 2016 Frederick R. Dixon 2017 Jason W. Lotz 2018 Ralph T. Woodrow 2019 Jimmy D. Davis 2020 Steven L. Young 2021 Daniel H. Surface 2022 Major Green Stephenson Stephenson IIIRaymon Walter Bacchus (DC) 2023 Thomas Lee Varner, Jr. 2024 Joseph Brandon Hale 2025 Jeffrey Cole Hedges 2026 Dewey Cole David
Knight Commander of the Temple
Knight Commander of the Temple 1990 Robert Lee Price Jr. 1996 John Robert Wigglesworth Jr. 1997 Edwin Richard Carpenter Jr. 1999 Baldwin Gerard Locher Jr. 2001 Jay L CotnerCharles Jarrett Frame Jr. 2002 Paul Joseph Reardon 2003 James Arthur Fields Jr.Frederick G Martin III 2004 Nelson Crane Trinkle Sr. 2005 Joseph Patrick Westfall Jr. 2007 Phillip Edward MayberyLawrence Barton SmithMark Wayne UnderwoodCharles Warren Wagner 2009 William Thomas HargroveWilliam S Winebrenner 2010 Roy Braxton Henderson Jr.Daniel Lee Rose 2011 Wallace Eugene Maybery Jr.William Frederick ReinholdJames Stephen Wilson 2012 Michael Joseph KastleRaymond Douglas Steele 2013 Roger Eugene DuncanDonald Leo Mc McAndrews 2014 Hafford Lee Arritt Jr.Vincent Joseph FaraciJames Winfield Golladay Jr.Joel David Ratliff Sr.Bruce Allen RichardsonPeter Reginald Spring 2017 Harless Thomas Dobbins Jr.Clinton Willis HuesJohn Jeffrey Mc McClelland 2018 John Randall Howerton 2019 Romulo Magnaye CapunoDennis Mark HaasXerxes Zeno Herrington II 2020 Timothy Paul EvansPeter Stuart JensenMajor Green Stephenson III 2021 Scott Lyons FieldingJoseph Efrain GadeaJoseph Brandon Hale 2022 Kevin Junior HarveyMichael Thomas HuffMark Todd Pennypacker Sr.John Richard RawlsWilliam Searcy III 2023 Jason Curtis TrenaryJeffrey Aquino ParasJoe Gilbert BroceAriel Ilano AlcantaraDewey Cole David 2024 Randall Dean ReedRobert Garland McBrideCameron Cornell CaffeeJames Barry BartleyJoseph Martin Matthews 2025 David Ray ConnerAdam Christopher DuncanJonathan Alexander GilesWilliam Randall OwensKyle William Strickland Scott Gordon Lapp (via Maryland) 2026 Roger Wayne TaylorCharles Percy BrackettJason Daniel MatchettClifford Harry GregoryScott Richard Lambert Unknown Joseph Wesley Jeffries
Drill Corps
Drill Corps “Zeal, Action, Excellence” Competition Documents Links Videos 2025 Winning Team: Gladius Maximus Pictured Left to Right: Sir Knight Joel Matos, Sir Knight Randy Brocius, Sir Knight William Crosscup (Captain), Sir Knight Joe Matthews, Sir Knight Dakota Burton, and Sir Knight Ben Blackburn. Right Eminent Grand Commander and Sir Knights of the Grand Commandery of Virginia: The Drill Team Committee of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Virginia is pleased to present its End of Year Report, highlighting a year of growth, renewed enthusiasm, and strengthened commitment to excellence in Templar drill across the Commonwealth. Through coordinated training, increased participation, and meaningful representation at both state and national events, this year has marked a significant step forward in advancing the mission and visibility of our Drill Corps. One of the cornerstone achievements of the year was the successful execution of our Annual Drill School and Competition, held in Norfolk. This event once again proved to be a vital platform for instruction, fellowship, and competitive excellence. The Drill School component provided both new and seasoned Sir Knights with hands-on instruction in manual of the sword, floor movements, command presence, and team coordination. Emphasis was placed on uniformity, precision, and adherence to established Templar drill standards. The quality of instruction was elevated by experienced leaders whose dedication ensured that all participants left better prepared for both local and national competition. The Competition that followed showcased a high level of discipline and skill, with Commanderies from across Virginia demonstrating marked improvement in execution and presentation. Judges noted a clear advancement in both individual proficiency and team cohesion, reflecting the effectiveness of the school and the commitment of participating Commanderies. A major highlight of the year has been the measurable increase in participation in Drill Team activities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. More Commanderies have re-engaged with drill, and several have either re-established or initiated new drill units. This growth can be attributed to several key factors: Increased awareness of the importance of drill as a public and fraternal expression of Templar discipline Stronger communication and outreach from the Grand Officers The accessibility and success of the Annual Drill School Renewed interest among younger Sir Knights seeking active involvement The Committee is encouraged by this trend, as it not only strengthens our competitive standing but also reinforces the bonds of fellowship and shared purpose within the Order. The Drill Team Committee was honored to support and participate in the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar Annual Easter Observance, held at the iconic George Washington National Masonic Memorial. This solemn and highly visible event represents one of the most important annual observances within Templary. The presence of Virginia Sir Knights, including members of our Drill Corps, was both a privilege and a testament to our dedication to the principles of the Order. Our participation demonstrated professionalism, reverence, and precision, reflecting positively on the Grand Commandery and reinforcing Virginia’s reputation as a leader in Templar drill and ceremonial excellence. Looking ahead, the Committee has already begun early preparations for the next Knights Templar Triennial Conclave, scheduled to be held in Burbank, California in August 2028. Preparation efforts include: Encouraging sustained participation and regular practice at the Commandery level Identifying and mentoring potential drill leaders and commanders Promoting uniform standards and consistency across teams Establishing long-term training goals to ensure competitive readiness The Committee is committed to ensuring that Virginia is well-represented on the national stage, with the goal of fielding highly competitive and exemplary drill units. The past year has been one of progress, engagement, and renewed purpose for the Drill Team Committee. From a successful Annual School and Competition in Norfolk, to increased participation statewide, to meaningful representation at the Easter Observance, the Committee has fulfilled its mission with dedication and pride. As we look toward the future and the 2028 Triennial, we remain focused on building upon this momentum. Through continued training, collaboration, and commitment, the Drill Corps of Virginia will continue to exemplify the highest ideals of the Order of the Temple. The 2026-2027 Grand Commandery Drill School and Competition are currently scheduled for Saturday, January 30, 2027, in Norfolk, Virginia, as a joint venture with Portsmouth Commandery, who will be celebrating their Bicentennial. More information can be found on the Grand Commandery’s website under Drill Corps when available. The Committee would like to thank the Grand Line Officers for their dedication to the Corps this year. The only note for this is that we would like to see participation from the Grand Line Officer with oversight into the committee. Unfortunately, that did not happen, again, this year and we hope that it will get back on track with the coming year. Respectfully submitted on behalf of your Drill Team Committee. Courteously, Sir Knight D. Cole David | ChairmanSir Knight Bill Reinhold, Past Department CommanderSir Knight Charles BarbeeSir Knight Joe BroceSir Knight Jeff Paras drillcorps@vatemplars.com School & Competition Gallery 2024 2025 Drill Corps Manual Drill Corps Application Sword Manual Drill Corps History Class ‘E’ Routine Honor Guard Routine Asylum Drill Routine Grand Encampment Drill Team Information 2025 Winning Team: Gladius Maximus Pictured Left to Right: Sir Knight Joel Matos, Sir Knight Randy Brocius, Sir Knight William Crosscup (Captain), Sir Knight Joe Matthews, Sir Knight Dakota Burton, and Sir Knight Ben Blackburn. Right Eminent Grand Commander and Sir Knights of the Grand Commandery of Virginia: The Drill Team Committee of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Virginia is pleased to present its End of Year Report, highlighting a year of growth, renewed enthusiasm, and strengthened commitment to excellence in Templar drill across the Commonwealth. Through coordinated training, increased participation, and meaningful representation at both state and national events, this year has marked a significant step forward in advancing the mission and visibility of our Drill Corps. One of the cornerstone achievements of the year was the successful execution of our Annual Drill School and Competition, held in Norfolk. This event once again proved to be a vital platform for instruction, fellowship,
