A short History of the Provost Guard of Salaam Shrine Temple
By Neal Martin, Scribe (1952-1992)
The
Provost Guard has been an integral part of Salaam Temple for more than 54
years. It was first authorization in June 1952 for Noble Kenneth Smith to
initiate a Provost Guard by Illustrious Sir, Potentate Dr. Cope. The initial
meeting of the Provost Guard was held March 11th, 1953 at the home of Noble
Kenneth Smith. Elected as the first officers of the Provost Guard were Noble
Kenneth Smith, as Chief, years 1953, 1954 & 1955, Nobles Frank Cooke as
Secretary and Howard Kleinhaus as Treasurer. The Thirteen Charter members were:
Adolph Weigard, Nicholas Bogie, Wilbur Leigh, Kenneth Smith, Louis Anderson,
Aaron Sussman, William Price, Joseph Worral, Frank Cooke, Howard Kleinhaus, AI
J. Buchan ,Wilbur Butler and Michael D'Augustino.
The objectives of the Provost Guard were:
5. To promote good fellowship among the members of the Provost Guard.
At the May 1953 meeting Noble Jack Martin from the Arab Patrol was appointed as advisor for the first three years of Guard history. He was the first honorary member, and later transferred from the Arab Patrol to become a regular active member of the Provost Guard.
Before the unit had prescribed uniforms, tuxedos were worn at all Temple functions. By December of 1953, the uniform selected was the red jacket of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with black pants with the yellow strip down the leg with red piping on either side with a Sam Brown belt. The current uniform replaced this with the same trousers, and military style white shirt with epaulets on the shoulders to signify rank.
All meetings of the Provost Guard were held in the American Legion Hall in Bellville, New Jersey until the forty-fourth meeting on March 6th, 1957, when the unit moved to the VFW Hall in Bellville, New Jersey.
Under Chief Smith's leadership the character of the Provost Guard became fixed. During this time the bonds of camaraderie solidified; this has been a distinguishing feature of our relationships. At many special events such as Temple ceremonies, Pilgrimages to various conventions, parades, Annual Barn Dance, Christmas Party, Venison dinners, Potentate Ball, and others; they enjoyed fun and fellowship. The first Shrine Convention and parade that the Provost Guard attended, September 10-12, 1954, was at Virginia Beach. The Unit went by Pullman car (train) from Newark Penn Station. A special meeting was held on the train coming home; The secretary, R. Featherston, recorded that "Among the din of exploding firecrackers, risqué stories, extemporaneous speeches and clinking glasses, a motion was made authorizing Noble Angelo Lambo to purchase additional ice and soda, it is not known to this day if Angelo was reimbursed for the $21.00.
During the September 23, 1954 meeting, Noble Angelo Lambo was appointed to investigate the acquisition of "a set of colors", and another committee was appointed to investigate the purchase of motorcycles for a "motor squad". An American flag and a Unit flag were donated to the guard by the Zarro Family, owners and operators of the Zarro Funeral Home in Bellville, New Jersey. The flags were accepted and presented to the unit at a venison dinner attended by the Zarro Family.
At the November meeting in 1954, Noble Crowhurst gave a report on the purchase of motorcycles and stated the cost would be $300.00 for the Enfield model. Nine members indicated they would purchase a motorcycle for the Guard Parades. It was ruled that the cycle patrol be limited to fifteen members.
The first meeting of the cycle patrol was held January, 1955, at the American Legion Hall. Along with Chief Smith, fifteen members were present. The Chief opened the meeting with a clear and concise statement to the effect that he wanted it definitely understood that the members who purchased motorcycles were a part of the Provost Guard Unit, and were under orders from any officer of the Provost Guard Unit, and at no time to be part of any escort of visitation without the entire Provost Guard Unit participating in the event. The Guard was identified as two groups, namely the foot patrol and the motor patrol.
In 1956, past Chief Kenneth Smith was elected to the Divan of Salaam Temple. In September 1956, the Mid-Atlantic Provost Guard Association was established at the Baltimore Convention. And at that meeting W.L. Louis of Khedive Temple was elected Chief, and Jack Martin elected Captain. The association was made up of members from the Provost Guard Unit from various Mid-Atlantic States. The purpose was to promote good fellowship and competition at Convention Parades.
In January 1957, Chief Jack Martin proposed that a Life Membership Card be given to Illustrious Past Potentate, Dr. Bill Cope, who was the original founder of the Provost Guard Unit. The fifty-first regular meeting of the Provost Guard was held on Wednesday, December 4, 1957, at 9pm, at the American Legion Hall in Belleville New Jersey. There were eleven (11) members present and forty excused. This was the night of the big snow, and the meeting could not open until the eleventh member arrived to constitute a quorum. The eleventh member was personally escorted by the Bellville Police Department, through the snow so that the guard could have a meeting.
In January 1962, Past Chief Dr. Palmer D. Burde was elected to the Divan of Salaam Temple. At the December meeting in 1962, Captain Crowhurst of the motorcycle patrol presented a petition from the members of the motor patrol addressed to then Illustrious Potentate Jake Wingerter who was in attendance, requesting permission for those members be granted permission to form a separate unit, under the jurisdiction of Salaam Temple and by authority of the potentate, which was granted. At the same meeting Illustrious Potentate Jake Wingerter spoke of a tract of land and that plans were for its purchase, and a Temple to be constructed for Salaam members in Livingston, New Jersey. At the January meeting in 1963, Chief Featherston read the petition for the separation of the motorcycle members from the Provost Guard Unit. He wished them well in the new unit. However, since they had formed a new unit without duly resigning form the Provost Guard Unit, he felt that they should be suspended, and informed them by letter.
In 1963, the Provost Guard, along with the other units of Salaam Temple, marched for the first time in the Memorial Day Parade in Livingston, New Jersey. This tradition continues to this day.
Chief Charles White, along with officers and members were present for the laying of the Corner Stone of the New Temple in Livingston, New Jersey, on Saturday, December 7, 1963. On September 2, 1964, the Provost Guard held their first meeting in the New Temple. In October 1964, Past Chief, Past Potentate Kenneth Smith, spoke on the Provost Guard room and of the change in plans that all unit rooms would be completed at the unit's expense as directed by the authority of the Temple. In the late sixties the members, with monetary and material donations, along with many hours of labor, finished the unit room with complete wet bar and comfortable furniture.
In 1966, Past Chief Charles White was elected to the office of Oriental Guide of Salaam Temple.
In 1971, Noble Syl Fiorvanti painted both murals in the lower level of the Temple. They were beautifully executed and achieve a great deal in helping to understand the ideals of the Shrine.
Four members of the Provost Guard went on to become Potentates of Salaam Temple:
Potentate Kenneth Smith 1960
Potentate Dr. Palmer Burde 1966
Potentate Charles White 1970
Potentate Richard Ash 1999
As you have read in this history, the Provost Guard Unit has been a continuing source of pride for our Temple. The dedication of our officers and members down through the years has been an inspiration to the other units of Salaam Temple. Those who came before us set us on the pathway of camaraderie, service and dedication.
07/03/08 06:59 PM