About Kena Shriners
Fun. Fellowship. Philanthropy.
Fun is our cornerstone and philanthropy is our keystone to fellowship. Brotherhood, family, compassion and service to others are in our foundation.
Shriners are known for their compassion for others and for being active participants in local communities.
The bottom line is that Shriners help make the world a better place.
Since 1952, Kena Shriners has been located in Northern Virginia. In the beginning, meetings were held at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria. In 1964, the temple moved to Fairfax City and in January 2018, Kena Shriners purchased our new home which is located at 9500 Technology Drive in the city of Manassas, Virginia in Prince William County. After extensive renovations, the ribbon cutting took place on December 15, 2018.
Kena Shriners holds their meetings on the third Wednesday of each month with the exception of July and August. A dinner is held at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting following at 7:30 p.m. We are active members of the Mid-Atlantic Shrine Association.
More - The First 50 years of Kena Shriners
Kena Shriners enjoy...
Membership in a well-known fraternal organization recognized for its social and philanthropic activities.
Opportunities to develop lasting relationships with like-minded men from all over the world.
Engaging in social activities and events that are available for the entire family.
Participation in many special interest groups with Shriners that allow like-minded men to enjoy a little high-spirited fun and fellowship.
Having the privilege of supporting the "world’s greatest philanthropy” — Shriners Children's.
ABOUT SHRINERS INTERNATIONAL
We are men sharing our best lives.
Shriners International is the Shriners' fraternal organization. Founded in 1872, our fraternity is based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. With nearly 200 temples (chapters) in 40 countries and thousands of clubs around the world, our members are deeply committed to our philanthropy, Shriners Children's.
A brief history.
In 1870 a group of Masons gathered frequently for lunch at the Knickerbocker Cottage on Sixth Avenue in New York City. At a special table on the second floor a particularly fun-loving group of men met regularly. Among the regulars were Walter M. Fleming, M.D. and William J. “Billy” Florence, an actor. The group frequently talked about starting a new fraternity for Masons – one centered on fun and fellowship, more than ritual. Fleming and Florence took this idea seriously enough to do something about it.
Billy Florence had been on tour in France, and had been invited to a party given by an Arabian diplomat. The exotic style, flavors and music of the Arabian-themed party inspired him to suggest this as a theme for the new fraternity. Walter Fleming, a devoted fraternity brother, built on Fleming’s ideas and used his knowledge of fraternal ritual to transform the Arabian theme into the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.).
With the help of the Knickerbocker Cottage regulars, Fleming drafted the ritual, designed the emblem and costumes, formulated a salutation and declared that members would wear the red fez.
The first meeting of Mecca Shriners, the first temple (chapter) established in the United States, was held September 26, 1872.
Badge of a Shriner
I’m the scimitar and the crescent you wear upon your coat.
I proclaim that you’re a Shriner. I’m a sign for men to note.
I’m a symbol that your fellows have abiding faith in you;
They believe that you are worthy and they trust in all you do.
But I wonder, fellow Noble, as I see you here and there,
If you really caught the meaning of this little badge you wear?
Are you mindful of my splendor? Are you watchful of my fame?
Are you careful as you travel not to bring me into shame?
You proclaim that you’re a Shriner, every passer-by can see,
That you’re pledged to do the right thing wheresoever you may be.
But worldwide, your brothers suffer loss and injury from you,
If you do a wrong act which a Shriner shouldn’t do.
By my token you’re wearing, you’re expected to be fine;
We have taught the world it’s something to be chosen by the Shrine.
The man who wears its emblem has his fellow’s guarantee
that a gentleman of honor he is known and pledged to be.
If he shall fail that standard by some thoughtless word or whim,
Shriners, wide world over, shall be put to shame by him.
By my scimitar and crescent which you so proudly do display,
You are bound to live and travel in a bigger, better way.
You must dignify my emblem, so none whom you meet,
Be he friend or foe, may whisper that the Shrine is but a cheat.
You must play the man at all times, you must keep your conduct fair
and be worthy of my crescent and scimitar you wear.
The Story of the “Editorial Without Words”
The photo known as the “Editorial Without Words” is probably one of the best-recognized symbols of Shriners Children's, yet it was taken almost by accident. Randy Dieter, the photographer, recalled that in 1970, he had been on assignment covering Hadi Temple’s annual outing for handicapped children at the now-defunct Mesker Amusement Park in Evansville, Indiana.
“I was taking shots of the midway and was using my telephoto lens”, Dieter said. “ I saw a local Shriner walking by carrying a little girl in one hand and her crutches in the other. My camera wouldn’t fire. Then they were too close for my lens. I ran past them, but the camera jammed. I had to take my last shot as they walked by. It was the end of the roll. If I had to think about it, I wouldn’t have come up with something like that. Fate guides you."
“It still seems unreal,” said Bobbi Jo Wright, the little girl in the photo. “I have many wonderful memories of the years I was a patient at the St. Louis Shriners Hospital and remember all the fun activities. I was born with cerebral palsy, which resulted in many orthopedic problems that made walking difficult. I had many surgeries at the St. Louis Hospital. They greatly improved my ability to walk.”
Bobbi Jo received her B.A. in English from Anderson University. She is active in her church and teaches Sunday School. “I use a cane when I go shopping,” she said. If I’m walking on grassy areas, I use crutches.”
Today, the famous photo is an integral part of the logo for Shriners Children's and has been reproduced on stained glass windows, mosaics, tie tacks, pins, and statues. A larger-than-life replica of the “Editorial Without Words” stands outside the Shriners International Headquarters building in Tampa, Florida.
The Shriner who was unexpectedly immortalized carrying Bobby Jo was Noble Al Hortman, formerly of Evansville, Indiana and now living in Georgia. On the right is the original photo.
