FRIEND TO FRIEND MASONIC MEMORIAL
On August 21 1993 the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania dedicated the "Friend to
Friend Masonic Memorial" at Gettysburg, Pa. This STB is the text of the address
given by R.W. Bro. Edward Fowler, Jr., Grand Master of Masons of Pennsylvania on
that occasion. Editor
Background
The memorial conceived and sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Free and accepted
Masons of Pennsylvania, centers on a monument of two sculptured bronze figures
atop a large granite base. The figures portray the historically verified
encounter between Confederate Brigadier General Lewis Addison Armistead and
Captain Henry Harrison Bingham. Bingham was an aide to Union Major General
Winfield Scott Hancock on Cemetery Ridge during Picket's charge of July 3 1863.
This attack became known throughout the world as the "High Tide of the
Confederacy" Although Armistead and Hancock had been friends and fellow officers
for many years, their political differences came between them at the outbreak of
the Civil War. Armistead joined the newly formed Confederacy while Hancock chose
to stay by the flag of the United States. Both officers served their counties
well and were promoted into leadership positions. After the two men went their
separate ways, it was twenty-seven months before they were to meet again. This
meeting finally took place on the battlefield remembered forever as
"Gettysburg." During Pickett's charge, both officers were wounded. Armistead was
mortally wounded and Hancock received a wound from which he would in hospital
care for many months. Armistead's cries for help were heard by several officers
nearby, and it was a fellow fraternity brother, Captain Bigham, who arrived and
offered aid the his fallen comrade-in-arms.
Armistead spoke of his close relationship with Hancock and he asked Captain
Bigham to relay a message to his friend. He entrusted his personal effects to
the captain. Armstead died two days later at the George Spanger farm hospital
site.
(From "Freemasons at Gettysburg" by Sheldon A. Munn)
Oration by R.W. Edward Fowler Jr.
Can there be anyone here today not stirred with emotion as we look over these
grounds that hold the remains and the heroics of our countrymen who gave their
lives in the wars of our nation? Is there anyone here today who can look upon
this larger-than-life statue of "Brother Helping Brother" without sensing a love
for humanity--without feeling the compassion and charity that comes from the
Fatherhood of God and a Brotherhood of Man! Can't you see in this masterful
sculpture. the tenderness of a human Brotherhood, a compassion that surpasses
personal allegiances even the harsh political differences of a bitter war? It is
the spirit of Fraternalism -the bond that exists among men of principle whose
values lead them to do the right things ... the good things ... instinctively,
willfully and lovingly. No doubt, it was with that kind of spirit of unanimity
with which-in these difficult times President Abraham Lincoln spoke the oft
repeated words:
"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as
God gives us to see the right, let us striver on to finish the work we are in,
to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle
and for his widow and his orphan ... "
Abraham Lincoln was not one of the fourteen United States Presidents who was
a Freemason, but there were occasions when he spoke of the fraternity with
praise and shared an appreciation for its values. But, there were other
Presidents, Generals and great Americans who joined in tribute as men and as
Freemasons. On July 4, 1865, right behind us in the National Cemetery, the Right
Worshipful Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of" Pennsylvania dedicated
the cornerstone of the Soldiers' National Memorial That was the first monument
of its type to be placed in Gettysburg. Among the more than ten thousand people
here were President of the United States Andrew Johnson; former President James
Buchanan; Major General John White Geary who was the parade marshal; Lt, General
Winfield Scott; Vice Admiral David Farragut, and Pennsylvania Governor Andrew
Curtin-- all Freemasons! It is the reflection of those values-specifically the
"Bonds of Brotherhood and Compassion"-and as a tribute to the men who lived and
died for them-that the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania
has sought to portray in this "Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial Monument."
Sculptor Ron Tunison skillfully captured with precise detail the emotion and the
com- passion that was displayed 130 years ago on the field of war. I feel I can
almost hear General Lewis Armistead asking Captain Henry Bingham to "Tell
General (Winfield) Hancock for me that I have don him, and done you all, an
injury..."
I can sense the tenderness of Captain Bingham asking, "If you have anything
valuable in your possession which you desire taken care of, I will take care of
it." I can relate as a man ... as a Freemason ... as a human being ... to the
confidence with which General Armistead is consigning his very personal
possessions-his spurs and his gold watch with the Square and Compass and the
Letter "G" on the chain to one he can trust as a Brother, even though they have
been combatants on the field of war. Freemasons have placed this statue and
developed the grounds around it in the Cemetery Annex as a never-to-be forgotten
tribute to the values of Brotherhood, Compassion and Patriotism. Freemasons and
the Masonic Fraternity are proud to be a part of our national heritage here at
Gettysburg. The dedication of this statute is the climax of a wonderful
suggestion by two Freemasons from the Gettysburg area-Brother Sheldon Munn, a
jeweler and Gettysburg Battlefield Guide, and Brother John Schwartz, an
optometrist and also a Battlefield Guide. They conceived the idea for a monument
at Gettysburg to be dedicated to "Brotherhood Undivided." It started several
years ago when the two wrote their idea for a monument as a recommendation to
the Grand Lodge Officers. Now, through several years of dedication, development,
negotiation, research and hard work, we stand in reverence, awe and pride
beneath the "Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial Monument." As soon as the Grand
Lodge Officers accepted the recommendation of Brothers Munn and Schwartz, a
Committee under the leader ship of our Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master
George Hohenshildt set out on a task that some said would take a miracle to
accomplish. Perhaps it seems close to being a miracle when we look back on all
of the negotiations, the trips to Gettysburg and to Washington, the planning,
designing , commissioning and creating the monument and reconstructing the
Cemetery Annex. It was a task far more complex than anyone involved had
anticipated. It is significant that this is the first time that an effort of
this nature has been carried out jointly by a private organization and the
National Park Service. Superintendent Jose Cisneros and The National Park
Service staff at Gettysburg certainly played a key role in making the monument
and the development of the Cemetery Annex become a reality. Historical accuracy
had to be indisputable. It was Cathy George-Harrison of the National Park Staff
at Gettysburg who recommended that we select this historically verified scene of
General Armistead and Captain Bingham for the "Friend to Friend-Brotherhood
Undivided" portrayal. As we went about the extensive task of reviews and
approvals, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania got some valuable assistance. We very
much appreciate the help we got from Michigan Congressman William F. Broomfield
and his Administrative Assistant Miss Helen Lomax in communicating in Washington
and gaining the approval of the Department of the Interior. The accomplishment
in itself is a statement of a unanimity that exists among people with vision.
The Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial Monument and the beauty of the plazas and
grounds surrounding it now stand in honor of our sincere Brotherhood of Man.
Captain Bingham kneeling in compassion to aid a fallen Brother ... General
Armistead, hand to hand, placing trust and hope in his fellow man ... makes a
dramatic statement about values. They are good men with different views,
faithfully patriotic to their respective causes, yet concerned for their
Brother's Welfare- The Freemasons of Pennsylvania are exceedingly proud to have
undertaken this project and to have commissioned the well known historical
sculptor, Ron Tunison, to create this statue and to have the U.S. Department of
Interior accept it on behalf of the National Park Service and the Gettysburg
National Military Cemetery. The Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial Monument will
be here to remind all who stand in awe of its beauty and its significance of the
bonds of a "Brotherhood Undivided." It will represent well the message of
Brother hood Abraham Lincoln left here:
"Let us neither express no cherish and harsh feelings toward any citizen who
by his vote has differed with us. "Let us at all times remember that all
Americans are Brothers of a common country and should dwell together in the
bonds of Fraternal feelings.'
With those thoughts of Fraternal feelings in our hearts and minds, let us
look once again upon the Brotherhood Undivided statue of the Friend to Friend
Masonic Memorial and say as all Freemasons do in supplication: So Mote It
Be--or, So Be It!
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