Grand Master of Virginia

 

 

Edmund Cohen

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Grand Lodge of Virginia website. I hope you find our site to be informative and helpful. The study of Freemasonry, its history and philosophy, can occupy a lifetime. So it is difficult to imagine how one could reduce the vastness of Masonic thought and the grandeur of its values and traditions into a single phrase. But I think it is possible to capture the very essence of Freemasonry in only two words: "Virtue" and "Honor."

 

Masons are virtuous men who set an example by the way they live and act. While we may not be able to change the world, we try to make our small corner of it a little bit better. We can be counted upon to help where we are needed, and we support so many people through our charitable endeavors. And Masons are honorable men whose word is their bond, we can be trusted and relied upon. We act morally, live virtuously, and behave honorably, and we are dedicated to the pursuit of truth, justice, and toleration.

 

What makes us Brothers is that we have voluntarily undertaken very substantial and significant obligations to help, aid, and assist each other. But we don’t focus on just helping each other; we care about our country and community as well. And we focus on building our own character. We are good men, but we seek to be better men. Not better than each other, but better than we now are. We strive to be better husbands and fathers, better neighbors and citizens, and yes, better Masons.

 

Here is some information about me. I was born in The Bronx, New York. I am a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the City College of New York, and did graduate work in international relations at Columbia University. I received my Law degree from American University and am a member of the bar in both the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia. I was a senior executive in the Central Intelligence Agency and am now retired after a 40-year career.

 

Here are my Masonic affiliations. I was made a Master Mason in Henry Lodge No. 57 on December 7, 1976, and am a Life Member in Perpetuity (LMIP). I served as its Worshipful Master in 1982, served as Secretary from 1983-1985 and have been a Trustee since 1984. I am also an LMIP member of Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120. I also hold honorary membership in Herndon Lodge No. 264, Shakespeare Lodge No. 750, Manhattan, New York, and High Twelve International, Patriot Club of Northern Virginia No. 750. I was District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District 58 in 1989 and Secretary-Treasurer of the C.A. Sinclair, Jr. Area Masonic School since 1991. I was Chairman of the Grand Lodge Community Service Committee and served on the Jurisprudence and Education Committees. I have been a member of the Board of Governors of the Masonic Home of Virginia for two terms. I was Grand Junior Steward in 1999 and elected as Grand Junior Deacon in 2003.

 

I am a member of the Valley of Alexandria, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and was invested Knight Commander Court of Honor in 1995 and coroneted a 33° Inspector General Honorary in 2001. I am a Past High Priest of Loudoun Royal Arch Chapter No. 55 and Past District Grand High Priest of Capitular District No. 17; Charter Member and Past Sovereign Master of Perfect Ashlar Council No. 349, Allied Masonic Degrees; a member of Kena Shrine Center, A.A.O.N.M.S.; Old Dominion Chapter No. 364, National Sojourners; Light Horse Harry Lee Camp, Heroes of ’76; and Hope Chapter No. 73, Order of the Eastern Star.

 

I was honored to receive the John Blair Jr. Service Medal from the Grand Lodge of Virginia, the Gold Honor Award from the York Rite Sovereign College of North America and the DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor from the Order of DeMolay.

 

I am married to the former Gwendolyn May and have two daughters, Alyssa and Suzanne. I am a member of Temple Rodef Shalom.