Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Arlington, VA

It is an honor to be a part of this solemn ceremony, a privilege that was afforded to
the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs by our thirty-second President of the United States,
Franklin D. Roosevelt who was in the White House from 1933-1945.

June 17, 1934 was the first date for the Odd Fellow Pilgrimage. Purpose of this
Pilgrimage was not only to honor the Unknown Soldier and the Nation's War Dead, but
also the members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows who had made the supreme
sacrifice in World War I. Lodges from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and the District
of Columbia participated in this first Pilgrimage. One year later, New Jersey and Delaware
joined; almost 1,000 members of the Order were present. Credit for the Pilgrimage idea
goes to Charles Lampe, who was Grand Master of the District of Columbia.

On July 7, 1940, the Grand Sire, on behalf of IOOF presented to the Unknown
Soldier the Grand Decoration of Chivalry, the highest decoration bestowed upon an Odd
Fellow. This Jewel, received by the Department of Army, is prominently displayed in the
Hall of Trophies. On May 3, 1959 the Sovereign Grand Master presented two more Grand
Decoration of Chivalry Jewels to the Army--one for the Unknown Soldier of World War II
and the other for the Unknown Soldier of the Korean Conflict. Both Jewels were placed in
the Hall of Trophies.

Growth of this tradition was tremendous. Finally, a resolution was adopted at the
1954 Sovereign Grand Lodge Session in Colorado Springs that sponsorship be assumed by
The Sovereign Grand Lodge and that each Sovereign Grand Master appoint the General
Chairman. Previously, it had been the custom for the Department Commander of
Patriarchs Militant of District of Columbia to serve as chairman of the Pilgrimage.

This Ceremony of Remembrance in memory of those who have given their lives to
preserve the "American way of life" enshrines the principles of Odd Fellowship--
Friendship, Love and Truth.

No other organization has been granted this honor.