George Washington Masonic Natl Memorial Dragged Into Politics

[My Freemasonry]

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by Christopher Hodapp



The trouble with owning a publicly visible building is that, occasionally, it's image pops up in the damndest places. Take this one, posted by Shawn Eyer on Facebook Thursday. It seems the local Democrat Party in Alexandria used an image of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial building up on Shuter's Hill, overlooking the city, lit up in blue, and implying it was done in support of their 'team color.' "Alexandria is the heart of Virginia. And it beats blue." screams the headline.

Shawn (who works at the Memorial and is also the longtime editor of the Philalethes Magazine) was, quite rightly, livid.

"Who is responsible for this misappropriation of our building to make a partisan political statement? Freemasonry has been strictly nonpolitical since long before the United States came into being. We will not be used in this way. No political party has a right to imply our endorsement. Freemasonry endorses no partisan issue nor candidate."

He was especially irked by the photo of the tower in blue. "We were lit in blue by request to honor an Alexandria police officer who took his life," he explained. "How could anyone use an occasion like that to pull a move like this?"

Even sadder to me was that it never seemed to occur to the local political operatives that "the Freemasons" might be upset by its use. They appear to simply be unaware (or possibly uncaring) of our strict stance on political and religious tolerance and non-partisanship as an organization. We don't take sides as an organization, at the grand lodge OR local lodge level. But we've obviously dropped so far off of the cultural radar that their committee (or advertising agency) didn't consider our reaction might be highly negative to its use in such a manner. And, while this particular misrepresentation of Masonic philosophy was posted by the Democrat Party, the sad truth is that, ANY political party, individual candidate, or advertising agency squint might have just as easily grabbed a shot of the Memorial's various lighting schemes over the years and used it for their own similar political message.

By Friday morning, the Memorial had issued a 'cease and desist' letter to the Alexandria Democrats and posted the following FAQ concerning endorsements of political candidates or causes:

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1. Has the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association endorsed any political candidates?

No, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association (GWMNMA) has not endorsed any political candidate or party, nor does it participate in any partisan political activity. Our organization remains strictly nonpartisan in accordance with the values of Freemasonry and our status as a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since 1723, Freemasonry has consistently stated its opposition to participating in partisan political causes, and this principle is a fundamental concept of Masonic recognition and regularity.

2. Why was the George Washington Masonic National Memorial featured in a recent political flyer?

The image of our Memorial was used without permission on a political campaign flyer circulated by the Alexandria Democratic Committee and the Democratic Party of Virginia. The flyer, which was not created nor authorized by our organization, implied our endorsement of eleven specific candidates. Upon learning of this unauthorized use, we have taken immediate action to request a retraction and ensure it does not happen again.

3. Why was the George Washington Masonic National Memorial’s tower lit in blue?

The Memorial has been lit in blue most recently in honor of a remembrance ceremony for Officer Daniel J. Canniff (ret.) of the Alexandria Police Department, who passed away October 3. The lighting coincided with a celebration of his life that took place October 15. Previously, it was lit blue for Hannukah, and for the 2023 Cornerstone Centennial. Under no circumstances is the Memorial’s lighting ever a partisan political message.

4. What actions has the GWMNMA taken to address this issue?

To protect the integrity of the GWMNMA’s nonpartisan standing, we have issued a cease and desist letter to the Alexandria Democratic Committee, requesting that they immediately stop using our building’s image and issue a public statement clarifying that our organization does not endorse any candidate or party. We are committed to upholding our principles of impartiality and transparency in this matter.

5. Is the GWMNMA affiliated with or supportive of any political organization?

No, the GWMNMA is not affiliated with any political organization and does not endorse any political platform, candidate, or party. Freemasonry as a whole has a longstanding tradition of political neutrality, and we adhere strictly to this policy, which dates back to the 1720s. Our mission is to honor the legacy of George Washington and to educate the public on Freemasonry’s history, principles, and values, free of partisan divisions.

6. What does the GWMNMA’s nonpartisan policy entail?

The GWMNMA’s nonpartisan policy means we refrain from all political endorsements, contributions, and activities that could imply support for or opposition to any political party or candidate. This policy aligns with the broader Masonic tradition of abstaining from partisan political involvement and is a critical component of our identity as a respected national museum and educational organization.

7. How does this issue affect the GWMNMA’s supporters and members?

The GWMNMA values its members and supporters across the political spectrum, and our commitment to nonpartisanship helps ensure that our organization remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all. For this reason, we have taken action to protect our reputation and to reaffirm our neutrality.

8. What should I do if I have further questions or concerns?

We encourage those with additional questions or concerns to reach out to our team directly. Please contact Shawn Eyer, Managing Director of Communications and Education via email at seyer@gwmemorial.org or by phone at 703-400-4950. We appreciate your continued support and understanding as we work to uphold the values and integrity of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association.

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