En: Thomas W. Jackson
Thomas W. Jackson
RWPGS, Recognized for Service to Freemasonry
On March 23, Brother Thomas W. Jackson, RW Past Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and Executive Secretary of the World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges, was invested with the Medal of Honor by the Regular Grand Lodge of Belgium while attending the annual communication of that Grand Lodge in Brussels. It was presented by Most Worshipful Grand Master Alexandre Cleven for Brother Jackson's contributions to Belgium Freemasonry. It is only the third time in the history of the Grand Lodge that it was ever presented outside of the country.
Five days later, Most Worshipful Brother Alberto Menasche, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Switzerland, presented Brother Jackson with the Medal of Honor for his service to World Freemasonry. It is the first time it has been presented outside of Switzerland.
On May 2, The Grand Lodge of New York presented Brother Jackson their highest honor, the Distinguished Achievement Award. Most Worshipful Grand Master, Edward Trosin presented the award at the annual Grand Lodge banquet in New York City. This award has been presented 80 times since 1934. Past recipients include: Gerald Ford, General Douglas MacArthur, Norman Vincent Peale, Sir Alexander Fleming, John Glenn, Hubert Humphrey, Gene Autry, Ernest Borgnine, Admiral Byrd, J. Edgar Hoover, Lowell Thomas, Red Skeleton, Jimmy Doolittle, and Irving Berlin. Two past Pennsylvania recipients are Brother and Lieutenant General Robert Springer and Brother Larry Christenson for his success as an athlete and his work with charities.
Brother Jackson holds Honorary Grand Rank in 20 Grand Lodges around the world, including Honorary Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Iran in Exile, and the Grand Lodge of San Marino, and has been invested with 17 medals for his contributions to the craft.
