Tompkins Recipients Part of The Greatest Generation

by Joann Williams-Hoxha, Content Manager

Two Brothers from The Greatest Generation joined the ranks of Mercer Lodge #50 and became of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32°, D-Day hero Leonard Secretary to the Grand Master in “Bud” Lomell, 32°, and Vietnam hero Sammy Lee Davis, 33°, 1996, and has been a member of Scottish Rite since 1979. as recipients of The Daniel Tompkins Medal for their “Bob has the rare distinction outstanding and exemplary service to their country of being at the battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. In talking with and Masonic fraternity at large. Bob, you get the opportunity to see Scottish Rite congratulates and salutes Brother William D. Haller, Jr., 32°, from Ocean during World War II and the part that he played. Being a humble man, he still downplays his role in the war, but teenaged boy to view the war from his perspective. His memory of the war is as vivid today as it was almost Lodge #89 F&AM, and Brother we know he played an important one,” 80 years ago,” Brother Policastro said. Robert N. Stutz, 32°, of Mercer Lodge said Ill. Brother Policastro. #50 F&AM Grand Lodge New Jersey for their service to both our country and our fraternity. The Tompkins Medal is conferred by the Scottish Rite OnSeptember 26, after the installation of Officers for the Valley of Central to honor distinguished contributions Jersey, Ill. Brother Policastro presented not often witnessed by the general Brother Robert N. Stutz, 32°, with the membership. Tompkins Medal as his friends and

The Tompkins Medal is named for Masonic family looked on. Brother Daniel D. Tompkins, first Sovereign Stutz was a Seabee from the 95th Grand Commander of the Northern Battalion at Pearl Harbor. He was Masonic Jurisdiction. Brother Tompkins then transferred to the 90th Battalion also served the nation as vice president, which was a part of the occupation under President James Monroe. of Japan under General Douglas Grand Secretary General Douglas Policastro, 33°,

On August 22, following the Rite MacArthur. Brother Stutz was Master presents Brother Robert N. Stutz, 32°, with the Tompkins Medal. on the Road degrees held at Ocean Lodge #89, Scottish Rite Active Member and Grand Secretary General Douglas Policastro, 33°, presented Brother William “Bill” Haller Jr. with the Tompkins Medal. His immediate family was present. Brother Haller served his country as a tail gunner during World War II and served as Master of Ocean Lodge #89 twice and Grand Chaplain for the Grand Lodge of New Jersey in 1998. He has been a member of Scottish Rite since 1970.

“It wasn’t until just the past few years that Bill would talk about what it was like being a gunner in an airplane for yourself what it was like for a Grand Secretary General Douglas Policastro, 33°, with Commander Glattly, presents Brother William “Bill” Haller Jr., with the Tompkins Medal.