Seminars and Presentations

Even though this Order of Chivalry is rooted in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, yet its large membership has Knights who hold to either the Eastern or Western Faiths. Therefore, a presentation on the differences and similarities of the Eastern and Western Altar and Liturgies was presented and received with great interest and enthusiasm by the assembled Knights. In the above illustration, The Rev. Chev. Sir Ian Carman is presenting information about the Western Rite. Helping to show Western Vestments is Fr. Paul Durzan, an Orthodox Priest.

Fr. Paul Durzan shows an item used in the Eastern Rite Liturgy.

Chev. Smith Made Commander

Chev. James Smith, KCHS and the Count Grand Master

In honor of his outstanding contributions to this Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Chevalier James Smith was elevated to the rank of Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulchre. Chev. Smith is a practicing attorney, a member of the bar, and Consul General of the Order.

Chev. Carman Made Officer

In honor of his longtime contributions to this Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Chevalier Ian Carman was elevated to the rank of Knight Officer of the Holy Sepulchre. Chev. Carman is Grand Seneschal of the Supreme Council.

Suprise Guest at Grand Banquet

The Count Grand Master and Master Sergeant (ret) George Edwards

The Count Grand Master is shown with Master Sergeant (ret) George Edwards, a combat veteran of many military conflicts. Sergeant Edwards was surprised to discover that he was the Guest of Honor at the banquet.

A Brief Biography of Master Sergeant George Edwards

George Melvin Edwards grew up on a farm near Salinas, Kansas during the Great Depression. Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1944, he did not wait long for action: while stationed aboard the U.S.S. Nevada in England, he took part in Operation Overlord (otherwise known as D-Day) on June 6, 1944.

Shortly after the war in Europe drew to an end, he was transfered to the Pacific Theater, where he was captured by the Japanese Army. Despite the torturous conditions of the Japanese POW camps, relief was swift: two weeks later the camp was liberated by the allies and he was again free to prosecute the war. He earned a Purple Heart during this service.

This was not the end of Edwards' career. He would serve with distinction in Korea, for which action he earned the United Nations Service Medal. He later earned two Presidential Citations, one from President Kennedy for meritorious service during the Cuban Missile Crisis and one from President Johnson for service following the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.

While in Vietnam, having reenlisted in the U.S. Air Force, he was reattached to the U.S. Army and again put to the field, where he would earn his second Purple Heart. He ultimately retired from service in 1974, when he continued to serve the city of Farmington, New Mexico, as a hard working and dedicated mechanic for the city. He would be called to action again in 1982, after hostilities ignited in Lebanon; when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, this tireless soldier again pulled his uniform out and polished his buttons, only to be told by his C.O. to "sit this one out, you've more than done your duty."

At the 1999 General Assembly of Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, MSSgt. George Melvin Edwards (Ret.) found himself to be the surprise guest of honor and, following a standing ovation, was given the very rare and distinguished Rank and Title of Knight Oblate of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, in recognition for his constant and unselfish service to God and to the highest and noblest ideals of humanity.

Here, with Chev. Carman and Lady Carman looking on, The Chev. the Master Sergeant George Edwards receives from the Sovereign Grand Master the decoration as a Knight Oblate of the Order.