by Midnight Freemason Contributor
WB Greg Knott
Denver presided over all three degrees, as I was coming through Ogden Lodge No. 754 a few years ago. I had never met him before I came into the lodge, but he immediately left a very strong and positive impression on me regarding his ability for ritual and kindness to a new brother. He was what I thought masonry would be about.
But more than just this initial impression, what I have come to really respect about Denver is his dedicated service to others. He is a Veteran, having served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era. Denver has been extremely involved with veterans’ affairs at the local, state and national levels as a member of Royal (IL) American Legion Post No. 996.
Whenever I have needed Denver he has been there. When I was about to become Worshipful Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970, Denver worked with me on the ritual so that I could get off to a strong start. It was Denver who told me many years ago, when I was considering becoming a plural member of St. Joseph Lodge, that if I was going to become a plural member, to be more than just someone who paid dues and was on the roster.
As a scout leader, we frequently put together events that recognize and honor our local veterans. Whenever I have needed a speaker or contact within the veterans’ community, Denver is the first person I call. He has been the guest speaker at our community Memorial Day event and participated in our community 9/11 remembrance event on the tenth anniversary of the attacks on America.
There are countless other examples that I could provide of Denver’s dedicated service. If you ever needed a reason to consider joining Freemasonry, there is no better reason or example than Denver Phelps. I am grateful and thankful to call him a friend and brother.
~GJK
WB Gregory J. Knott is the Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL) and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL) and Naval Lodge No. 4 in Washington, DC. He’s a member of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star and is the Charter Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign-Urbana. He is also a member of ANSAR Shrine (IL) and the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. Greg serves on the Board of Directors of The Masonic Society and is a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society and The Philathes Society. Greg is very involved in Boy Scouts—an Eagle Scout himself, he is a member of the National Association of Masonic Scouters
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