Information and Registration Packet

Ninety Second I.O.O.F. Pilgrimage to the

Tomb of the Unknowns

May 1-3, 2026, Arlington, Virginia

November 2025

Greetings to all members, families and friends of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. You are cordially invited to attend the Ninety Second Annual Independent Order of Odd Fellows Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknowns. Members of all units of the Order are encouraged to participate. The Pilgrimage Committee is pleased to provide the following information about this annual event.

The 2026 Pilgrimage will take place on Sunday, May 3 at Arlington National Cemetery. The memorial services will begin at noon followed by the wreath laying ceremonies at the Tomb immediately after the 1:00 p.m. changing of the guard. The Pilgrimage address at the Tomb will be delivered by The Honorable Thomas J. Calabrese, Sovereign Grand Master.

The Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, at 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22311, will be our headquarters. Room reservations are to be made directly with the hotel, at toll-free 1-800-Hiltons (1-800-445-8667) or 1-703-845-1010. You MUST mention “Odd Fellows Pilgrimage” when reserving your room to receive the special rate of $139 for up to four (4) in a room. All room rates are subject to applicable hotel tax. (See attached information about hotel accommodations).

The annual Pilgrimage banquet will be held in the hotel on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. (Advance ticket purchase required - see attached pre-registration form.) A social hour will be held from 5:45 P.M. to 6:45 P.M. After the banquet, all present will have the opportunity to meet and greet The Honorable Thomas J. Calabrese, Sovereign Grand Master, Independent Order of Odd Fellows from the Jurisdiction of New Jersey, Sister Pamela M. Isenhower, President, International Association of Rebekah Assemblies from the Jurisdiction of Texas, and General Marion F. Owens, Jr., General Commanding, General Military Council, Patriarchs Militant, from the Department of Ohio.

We recommend that you schedule flights to and from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), the nearest airport to the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. The hotel no longer offers shuttle service. However, other transportation services are available from the airport. The Washington metro area is also served by Dulles International Airport (IAD), located 30 miles northwest of the Capital in Northern Virginia. Metro subway service is now available from Dulles with several stops in Northern Virginia from which you can get transportation to the hotel. Please note the event could be cancelled at the last minute by the military; therefore, travel arrangements should be made accordingly.

We encourage you to publicize this special annual event. Additional information is listed on the attached forms. We look forward to seeing you May 1-3, 2026, in Alexandria, Virginia.

In Friendship, Love, and Truth,

s/ Chuck Renninger

Chairman

Information and Registration Packet