Six New 32° Members Welcomed at Spring 2025 Reunion, Honoring Lee R. Terry, 33°

The 281st Reunion for the Valley of Omaha Scottish Rite was held on May 29, May 30, and May 31st. This Reunion welcomed six new members and honored Lee R. Terry, 33° for his many years involvement in the Valley.

The Reunion began on Thursday, May 29th with the 4°, 5°, and 8°. The 5° (Perfect Master) was a new Degree, not performed in several decades, with Joe Evans, III, 32° (Director), Jim Gill, 32°, Heath Evans, 32°, Trent Pearce, 32°, Eddie Utterback, 32°, and Nicholas Schnell, 32° - all members of the Fall, 2024 Reunion - taking on the new Degree. The 8° (Intendant of the Building) is traditionally done by officers of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska. M.W. John Herbolsheimer, 32° played King Solomon, wtih R.W. Kraig Prange, 32°, R.W. Jock Faris, 32° KCCH (Alliance Valley), Eric BenSalah, 32°, and Mo Krishna, 32° taking parts.

On Friday, the class saw the 14° and 15°. In the 15°, T.J. Brumfield, 32° KCCH portrays Zerubbabel in a moving scene, where he rejects all the gold and wealth in the King of Persia's treasure room in return for the secrets of Masonry. On his return to Jerusalem, Zerubbabel instructs the candidates that there are dignities in life more valuable than any gifts presented by royalty.

The Knights of St. Andrew served an excellent breakfast on Saturday, followed by the 18°, 21°, and 25°, which is exemplified by the members of North Bend Lodge #119.

At the lunch banquet, Bob Pelletier, 32° KCCH served as Master of Ceremonies, and gave a warm, humorous presentpresentation about Lee Terry, 33°, our Class Honoree. Lee thanked the membership for the honor and spoke about how important Masonry has been in his life. Dan Alati, 32°, Venerable Master for the Knights of St. Andrew, made Lee an honorary life member of the KSA, and Carl Simmons, 32° KCCH knighted Lee Terry.

Lee joined the Scottish Rite in 1988, and has been active as the Degree Director for the 32° for many years. He served as Wise Master for the Chapter of Rose Croix in 2017. Lee has been a member of the RiteCare Classic Golf Committee, and has generously supported Scottish Rite philanthropies. Lee continues to stay active making birthday calls to members, which he enjoys doing. Lee was Coroneted a 33° Inspector General Honorary in 2025.

The Reunion concluded with the 29°, 30°, 31° and 32°, followed by a cocktail reception in the lounge. Bob Soukup was elected President of the Class, Don Dotson as Orator, and Michael Kirchner as Secretary-Treasurer.