Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, Free & Accepted Masons June 2016

The First Cottage at The Masonic Home for the Children

Story On P

age 4

Ground Breaking for

2 / June 2016

Grand Lodge OfficersGrand Master F. Andrew“Drew” Lane, Jr. (182)P. O. Box 1534 Dallas, GA 30132E-mail: drewlane1995@gmail.com 770-317-0010

Deputy Grand Master Gary H. Leazer (99, 262, 744)3318 Mansfield Ln. Snellville, GA 30039E-mail: garyleazer44@gmail.com 770-851-0997Senior Grand Warden Larry W. Nichols (59)5500 Interstate Pkwy, Ste. 415 Atlanta, GA 30328E-mail: lnichols@lwncpa.com 404-735-3544

Grand Treasurer Bobby B.Simmons (111, 756)203 Williams Drive Bonaire, GA 31005Email: bnsimmons81@bellsouth.net 813-391-9616

Grand Secretary Joseph “Joe” W. Watson (298)811 Mulberry Street Macon, GA 31201-6779E-mail: fam2@bellsouth.net Office: 478-742-1475

Grand Chaplain William E. Cantrell (63,747)230 SR 20 Spur SE Cartersville, GA 30121billcantrell2931@att.net 770-366-2931

Grand Marshal James C. Newsome (121,747))711 Fullwood Springs Rd. Cedartown, GA 30125Jnewsome@cedartowngeorgia.gov (Cell) 404-425-8510

Grand Orator Jerry D. Moss, PGM (729)1684 Pounds Rd. Stone Mountain, GA 30087 jerrymoss@bellsouth.net (Cell) 678-910-6527

Junior Grand Warden Michael H. Wilson (6, 84)3655 Jensen Ct. Loganville, GA 30052E-Mail: mike.wilson@wilsonroofingcompany.com 678-410-0833

Junior Grand Deacon Jan M.Giddens (33)2897 Huntclift Drive Marietta, GA 30066giddensj@comcast.com 678-232-4115

First Grand Steward Donald C. Combs (46)1262 Meadow Lane SE Darien, GA 31305 don_combs@juno.com 478-235-3750

Second Grand Steward Michael A. Kessler (216)3592 Woodstream Circle NE Atlanta, GA 30319kessler@bellsouth.net 678-947-1001

Grand Tyler Mark A. Bradley (36)219 Jacob Dr. Hoschton, GA 30548marktireman@windstream.net (Cell) 706-983-9216

Grand Treasurer Emeritus Samuel R. Whitfield (323)111 Tower Rd, NE, Apt. 417 Marietta, GA 30060-6997

Grand Secretary Emeritus James E. Underwood, PGM (367)150 Spring Creek Road Canton, GA 30115

Third Grand Steward Benjamin W. Polston, II (6)2859 Bridle Creek Dr. SW Conyers, GA 30094bwposton@gmail.com (Cell) 678-571-2738

MASONIC MESSENGER Vol. 100 June 2016 No. 3

Grand Lodge Office: 478-742-1475Please send changes of address to theGrand Secretary at 811 Mulberry Street,Macon, GA 31201-6779 on your lodge

secretary’s monthly report. The editor doesNOT keep the list of addresses.

Dr. Gary Leazer, Editor (99, 262, 744)3318 Mansfield Lane Snellville, GA 30039-4631

Cell: 770/851-0997E-mail: garyleazer44@gmail.com

garyleazer@yahoo.com

Publications CommitteeRoss Laver, Chairman Home: 770-489-1864

E-mail: rosslaver@masonicmessenger.comPaul E. Wells Lawrence Anderson David L. Canaday

Published bi-monthly at 811 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201. TheMessenger goes to all Masons holding membership in Georgia Lodges.

Subscription $10.00 domestic, $16.00 foreign per yearADVERTISING RATES ON APPLICATION -- CIRCULATION 38,000

Grand Secretary Emeritus Donald I. DeKalb (111) P. O. Box 6068 Warner Robbins, GA 31095

Grand Treasurer Emeritus Merrill L. Clark, Sr. (200) P. O. Box 129 Shady Dale, GA 31085

Senior Grand Deacon Johnie M. Garmon (114) P. O. Box 1921 Blairsville, GA 30514 garmon1@windstream.net (Cell) 706-781-9565

— From Most Worshipful Brother F. Andrew Lane, Jr.My Brethren:

Once again, I am pleased andthankful to report that Freemasonryis alive and well in our great State.

We have just had the long-antici-pated Groundbreaking for the firstCottage to be built at our MasonicHome. There was a great crowdpresent, including most of the Ma-sonic Home Board of Trustees andGrand Lodge Officers, several PastGrand Masters, members of the localpress, our Masonic children and manybrethren and their families from allover the State. The weather was bet-ter than anyone could have asked for,as there was no rain, and the overcastkept us all relatively cool. Bro. WalterMatthews, whose generosity makesthis cottage possible, delivered verytouching remarks about his sisterThelma, to whose memory this firstcottage is to be dedicated, and aboutthe importance of family.

We cannot thank Bro. Matthewsenough, as starting this first cottagewould not have been possible thisearly without his magnanimity, hisdedication to Masonry and his love forchildren and family, Thanks to every-one who was at the Home for theGroundbreaking – you all made itmemorable and special. In addition,and at the risk of omitting someone, Iwould like to express special grati-tude to MWB Ray Knittel, who did anoutstanding job as Master of Ceremo-nies; PGMs Edgar Land and DougMcDonald, who filled key roles in con-ceiving and advancing the CottageCampaign: and the Board of Trustees,especially WB Curtis Anderson, whodid much of the heavy lifting in put-ting the event together. Again, manythanks to everyone who was presentand had a part in making this tangiblestep toward family-style accommoda-tions for our Masonic children a real-ity.

In other news, your Grand LodgeOfficers and I have been doing our

best to promote and support Freema-sonry all over our great State. Sincethe last issue of the Messenger, wehave attended and installed officersat Conventions in the 6th , 7th , 8thand 10th Districts and continue to beimpressed with the great work ourbrethren are doing in our lodges andin their communities.

Of course, the lessons and sub-stance of Freemasonry itself are com-municated directly and primarily inour degree work, so your Grand LodgeOfficers and I are placing special em-phasis on the “forms and ceremoniesof this Institution” this year. Youbrethren have been quite busy doingthe work of Masonry – making Masons–and thereby spreading Freemasonryall over Georgia. On May 11, 2016, Iwas honored to participate with theThird Degree Team of the Valley ofAtlanta in conferring the Master’sdegree on two candidates, includingthe son of Ill. Ross Laver, who did awonderful job in the East, as did thewhole team – a very special night in-deed. I have also had the pleasure ofconferring the Master Mason degree,with lodge officers, at a few otherlodges in the past couple of months,including E.W. Hightower No. 679 inNelson, where it was wonderful towork with their officers and the Dal-las Fellowcraft Club; and most re-cently, Philomathea No. 25 inElberton, where the lodge officers did

June 2016 / 3

a great job, with WB Andy Burns putting in an outstandingdelivery of the Special Charge. Through a last-minutechange in schedule, I was also able to participate in theAnnual Cove Waterfall Degree near Jasper – thanks to theCove Waterfall Association and the Dallas Fellowcraft Clubfor inviting me to assist; although the rain in the middleof the Second Section did require an impromptu changeof venue, it did not dampen the spirits of the brethren.

At the time of this writing, the Grand Lodge Officerslook forward to conferring the Fellowcraft degree on June25 at the Annual Tri-State Meeting at Coosa Lodge No.622, where teams from Georgia, Tennessee and Alabamaconfer or exemplify work from their respective States andenjoy a full day of fellowship. In addition, I am honoredto have been invited to confer the Entered Apprenticedegree with the officers of Tyrian Lodge No. 111 at theGeorgia-Alabama-Florida Tri-State in Tallahassee, Florida,on July 30. I very much look forward to both of these tra-ditional Tri-State meetings and would encourage all whocan to join us. Thank all of you for allowing your GrandLodge Officers and me to assist in directly spreading Ma-sonry in this way.

Degree work and our other ritual and ceremonies areonly part of Freemasonry, of course; in order to give ourCraft meaning, we must put in into practice every day.That is why the Grand Lodge theme for this year in “Livingthe Learning,” and I pledge to continue to do my best toapply Masonry to any issue that arises and encourage ev-ery Mason in our jurisdiction to do the same.

Brethren, I very much look forward to the remainderof the year. Thank you for allowing me to serve you asGrand Master, and I hope to see you somewhere soon.Striving toward “Living the Learning,” I am

Fraternally and gratefully yours,Drew

Grand Master and Officers visit Wounded Trooper

Tuesday, January 27 started out as a routine patrol forBrother Jake Fields. His day ended being anything butroutine. While patrolling Interstate 75 in Cobb County,State Trooper Jacob Fields found himself in a situationwhen he attempted to stop a motorist for a trafficviolation. It became obvious that the driver was not goingto stop. This resulted in a chase that traveled several mileson I-75 with several officers attempting to assist BrotherFields in stopping the violator. The violator’s vehicle wasboxed in by the pursing Troopers. The driver exited thevehicle with a fire arm and began shooting.

Trooper Fields was struck four times but was able toreturn fire. Brother F ields was taken to WellStarKennestone Hospital where he underwent surgery thatnight to remove the bullet that was in his small intestine.Later, he had a second surgery to repair his leg. He wasgrazed by a third bullet and his hand cuff case deflectedthe fourth bullet. Brother Fields is home now recoveringfrom his injuries. He is still facing more surgeries overthe next few months.

During his stay in the hospital he received visits fromGovernor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra, ShaquilleO’Neal and Most Worshipful Grand Master F Andrew LaneJr. along with other Grand Lodge officers. He also hadmany visits and calls from his Fellow Troopers, other lawenforcement agencies and Brother Masons. Brother Fieldsis a member of Pickens Star Lodge No.220, and he wouldlike to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers andasks that you continue to remember him in your prayers.

Brother Fields’ actions were consistent with ourteachings that Masonry Requires Bravery in the HighestEsteem in our several stations before God and Man.

What a great day we had on Saturday. The Good Lordshowed favor on guys with dark suits. Attendance wasgood, weather was good, Bro. Matthews was wonderfuland the food was great. Just an update on the paver idea,$762.00 was collected for the commemorative paver. Iwill make one honoring Thelma and Bro. Matthews. Allthe money collected will go to GMCF, Inc. Even theMatthews family bought a $100 paver for Bro. Matthewsand his wife (their mommy and daddy). The Ambassadorstook donations for other pavers also. I was really proudto be a Mason Saturday and proud of what the Grand Lodgeand the Masons of Georgia are doing. We are off to agreat start with our goal of five cottages a real possibility.Ross Laver did a great job on the buttons, Curtis with thelogistics on the grounds a great effort by all.

Thank all of you for what you do.....At your service,

Jan Giddens, Junior Grand Deacon

4 / June 2016

Bro. Walter Wesson Matthews said, “I Can Do That.”

Groundbreaking for First Cottage at Masonic Home

Bro. Walter W. Matthews

On a fairly cool day in Ma-con, 175 friends of the MasonicHome to celebrate ground break-ing for the first cottage, the firstof what we hope will be fourcottages to house the childrenand youth at the home.

The first home was a giftfrom Bro. Walter WessonMatthews in honor of his dearsister, Thelma, who was 12 yearsolder than he and served as anArmy nurse during World War II.

Bro. Matthews and his wifeStella loved children but were not able to have a child oftheir own; they were blessed when they were able toadopt two daugh-ters.

Recently helearned of the hopethat cottages couldbe built at the Masonic Home to move the children andyouth from the dormitories where they were living. Whenhe learned the cost of the first cottage would be $500,000,Bro. Matthews said to himself, “I can do that,” — and hedid.

In his remarks, Bro. Matthews said, “May I say again,home is what this drive is all about.

As we proceed to raise funds for the additional cot-tages, I was to bring a striking discovery I have made inbringing these guests.

Nobody knew this was a children’s home until theypulled it up on the Internet or I told them. I’m afraid thisis the case all over Georgia, except in the Macon area. . . .

Brother Snipes asked me what inspired me to make adonation to build a cottage and I told him that Past GrandMaster McDonald’s remarks about the first new home forour children struck me as exactly how I wanted to remem-ber my sister. At our District meeting at Landrum LodgeNo. 48 when he gave me my 65-year-award, I asked himwhat it would cost, and when he said 1/2 million dollars, Isaid I can do that. I’m doing it for the future of our chil-dren in honor of my sister.

I thank you all for coming today and a few years fromnow when I’m wherever the Good Lord assigns me, I hopeyou will visit her again and say, ‘I was here when theground was first broken, and now look at all these won-derful cottage homes.’

God Bless you all!”

Bro. Matthews’ family. His two daughters, Jeanie andStelly, are closest to the camera.

PGM Edgar M. Land PGM Douglas W.McDonald, Sr.

PGM E. Ray KnittelBro. Walter Matthews

sits behind him.

MWB F. Andrew Lane, Jr.Grand Master

Each of these Grand Lodges Officers spoke at theGroundbreaking on June 18.

June 2016 / 5

Eagle Scouts Recognized

Wor. Bro. Dexter Harrison presented a Masonic awardto two Eagle Scouts, Coleman Brent Switzer and Ethan LangLight (Right) in Johns Creek.

Madison No. 376 Read to Ride Program

After presenting a checkto her, Wor. Master RichardWilliamson, from WebbLodge No 166, stands withMs. Rain Beals to help withher expenses to 2016 Su-preme Assembly in Provi-dence, RI. Martinez No. 710 gaveher $900 (Richmond As-sembly No. 38 meets atand is sponsored byMartinez Lodge No 710.) Webb No. 166 also gaveher $250 at our May Regu-lar Communication Mon-day evening, May 16. She had also been givensomething from the So-

journers and had made and sold T-Shirts that brought inmore than $600.

I believe that she should be fully funded for her trip orextremely close to it – she still has a few T-shirts to sell aswell.

I am very pleased that both of my lodges stepped upand is helping her compete along with several young ladiesfrom Georgia at Supreme Assembly in Ritualistic Competi-tions to be held in Providence RI in July.

Augusta Masons Support Rainbow

Madison Lodge No. 376 sponsors the Joe Ward Read toRide Program at Morgan County Primary School. Threetimes a year bicycles are given to students who read themost or who improve the most in reading. For the last quar-ter this school year the winners were 1st Grade - MiriamSadler - Stephenson, 2nd Grade - Michael Henry, and Kin-dergarten - Jack Robbins. Stacey Chapman is in charge ofthe program at the school. Lodge brothers from left to rightinclude: Harold Moss, Bob Nesbitt, Russell Brooks, L. A.Hensley, Jim Briscoe, Jessie Mayfield, Aubrey Moon, and BobWilbanks.

Rossville Lodge No. 397 presented a $1,000.00 SchoolScholarship to Ms. Haleigh Young from Ridgeland HighSchool.Presenters were on the left: Brother Craig Leonardand on the right: S.W. Howard J. Castello.

Rossville Lodge Presents Scholarship

6 / June 2016

Sixth Masonic District Holds One Hundred Tenth Annual ConventionRiverdale Masonic Lodge No. 709 hosted the 110th

Annual Convention of the 6th Masonic District at St. JohnsMasonic Lodge No. 45 in Jackson on May 7. Wor. Bro. andDistrict Master Paul Buckner and the 6th District officersopened lodge at 9.00 before a very large gathering of MasterMasons.

Most Worshipful Bro. F. Andrew Lane, Jr., Grand Master,was found in waiting, introduced and given Private Grand

Honors. Heintroduced hisGrand Lodgeofficers whowere presentand turned thegavel over toDistrict MasterBuckner. A rollcall of Districtofficers and

District lodges was taken and 50 and 60-year Master Masonswere introduced, as well as District Past Masters andVeterans.

Right Worshipful Brother Merrill L. Clark, Sr. conductedthe Memorial Service for Brothers who had passed awaysince the 2015 Convention.

Wor. Bro. John Snipes, Superintendent of the MasonicHome, gave a glowing report on the Home. He is workingon his 30th year as Superintendent of the Home.

Wor. Bro. V. S. “Mac” McGee, Senior Warden,introduced the 6th District Lodge Assistant Fund. Hementioned the arson of Flint Hill Lodge No. 371 in whichthe lodge lost their lodge hall and 122 years of history in sixhours. Flint Hill Lodge has built a new lodge hall at a cost ofapproximately $470,000. Much of the money came fromsmall donations from Brother Freemasons. The District isselling special coins for the fund and hopes to raise $5,000to help any 6th District lodge suffering from a disaster suchas fire or tornado. They hope they never need the moneybut it will be there if needed. A special gold District Coinwas present to outgoing District Master, Paul Buckner.

Wor. Bro. McGee, who is also District Custodian, said128 White cards, 101 Blue cards, 28 Green cards and 8Orange cards were issued during thepreceding year.

Wor. Bro. Brandon Yarbrough presentedthe York Rite Gold Honor award to Wor. Bro.Franklin Perry Holland, Jr., (right) who asSenior Deacon of Pinta Lodge No. 88 helpedraise 28 Master Masons in 2015.

Attendance awards were presented totwo lodges. Jasper Lodge No. 50 won theattendance award for lodges with fewer than 100 members

and HamptonLodge No. 70 wonthe attendanceaward for lodgeswith more than100 members (farright).

Mason of theYear, Wor. Bro.Andrew Dallas“Brother A.D.” Rogers won the John S. Perry Award. He is aWorld War II veteran and was raised to the Sublime Degreeof Master Mason in January 1954 in Lakewood Lodge No.443 where he isstill an activemember. He isactive inL a k e w o o dOrder of theEastern Star, hasserved as headof all three YorkRite Bodies andhas receivedn u m e r o u sawards fromthose bodies.

The District welcomed Hapeville Lodge No. 590 whowere made official members of the 6th District at the 2016Grand Lodge session in October.

Newly elected District Master, Wor. Bro. Charlie Lane,announced Jasper Lodge No. 50 would host the 2017 DistrictConvention onthe firstSaturday in Mayat St. JohnsLodge No. 45.

Above: Immediate Past DistrictMaster Paul Buckner holds hisplaque for serving as District Mas-ter, while newly elected DistrictMaster Charlie Lane examines acoin presented by the Grand Mas-ter.

June 2016 / 7

8th Masonic District Convention holds 77th Annual CommunicationDistrict Master Walter McCannon and his officers

opened a called communication of Philomathea No. 25 inElberton to host the 77th Annual Communication of the8th Masonic District Convention May 21. The Conventionwas opened with prayer by Wor. Bro. Marcus Hall, DistrictChaplain; a Pledge Allegiance to the American flag andthe singing of the hymn, “Amazing Grace” followed theprayer.

Most Worshipful Brother F. Andrew Lane, Jr. was foundin waiting and escorted in by the District Deputies andgiven Private Grand Honors. The Grand Master introducedthe nine Grand Lodge officers in attendance, as well asother distinguished Freemasons. Seventy-two Brothersregistered for the Convention, including ten Grand Lodgeofficers and two visitors from other districts.

Eight sitting Masters of Lodges were recognized aswell as one 60-year Mason. Wor. Bro. Harold Moss,Madison Lodge No. 376, was recognized as the oldestsitting Master in Georgia.

The Convention moved alone smartly as all of thereports were written in the program which the Brothershad opportunity to read prior to the opening of theCommunication. Wor. Bro. Joe Colvard, Masonic HomeTrustee, reported trustees are raising monies for furniturein each living area and the cottage program.Groundbreaking for the first cottage is set for June 18 at11:00. Wor. Bro. Russell Moore, Masonic HomeAmbassador, reported over 1,100 pavers have beenprovided by donors which has raised over $180,000 forthe cottage program.

Wor. Bro. Joe Colvard wasnamed Past Master of the Year. The District Custodiansreported 82 Brothers hadreceived white cards forproficiency; 77 blue cards, sevengreen cards, and 5 orange cardswere presented to Brothersduring the previous 12 months.Twenty-six Brothers werecertified in LodgeInvestigations, one of the moreimportant MELD courses.

The Brothers donated $500 to the Masonic Home.Wor. Bro. Bob Nesbitt, Madison Lodge No. 376,

presented a checkfor $2,206.25,proceeds fromtheir golftournament, forthe operation fundat the MasonicHome. Wor. Bro. Barry

Stapp, GaChip forthe 8th District,reported that Mt.Vernon Lodge No.22, Rising Star

Lodge No. 4, Nancy Hart Lodge No. 690 and other lodgesidentified more than 120 children in GaCHip events.

Wor. Bro. Joseph Johnson was recognized andpresented a plaque for his 11 years serving on the Boardof Relief. The Past Master of the Year award was presentedto Wor. Bro. Joe Colvard, Past Master of Philomathea No.25.

The 2017 District Convention will be hosted byMansfield Lodge No. 489 on May 20 at 10:00.

The 8th Masonic District Convention ROCKS!

Wor. Bro. Harold Moss was recognized as the oldest sit-ting Master in Georgia and presented a plaque by DistrictMaster Walter McCannon (left) and Most Worshipful F.Andrew Lane.

8 / June 2016

Lodges Report Blood DrivesBrethren from Tucker Lodge No. 42 worked with the

Embry Hills United Methodist Church during a blood driveon April 25. Forty-five units of life-saving blood were col-lected. Tucker Lodge now has 199 units for the year.

Brethren from Fulton Lodge No. 216 worked with theAhavath Achim Synagogue for a blood drive on May 1. Thedrive collected 48 units of life-saving blood. The lodge hasrecorded 157 units since Grand Lodge.

Fulton Lodge and the Jewish War Veterans started theblood drive in late 1949. May 1 was 267 consecutive quar-ters. It was held in different places to start with including atthe Red Cross and the City Auditorium. The blood drivemoved to the AA Synagogue between 1965 and 1973.

Isadore Heiman, a past commander of the Jewish WarVeterans and a Past Master of Fulton Lodge (1930 and 1934),was the driving force behind starting the blood drive. TheJewish War Veterans now have a national blood donationaward named after Wor. Bro. Heiman. He was awarded theGrand Lodge Distinguished Service Medal in 1936.

Support the Grand Lodge Blood Drives: Be a Donor and/or Volunteer during a Blood DriveDid you know?• An adult of average weight has about 10 to 12 units orpints of blood.• You can donate whole blood every eight weeks.• Blood fights against infection & helps heal wounds,keeping you healthy.• Every two seconds, someone needs blood.• 1 out of 7 people entering a hospital needs blood.• Thirty-seven percent of the U.S. population is eligible todonate blood, however, only 10% donate annually!• There is NO SUBSTITUTE for human blood.• Blood must be imported into Georgia because Georgiansdo not donate enough blood.

Tips for a pleasant blood donation experience:• Get a good night’s rest.• Eat a healthy meal before donating.• Drink plenty of fluids before and after your donation.• Eat iron rich foods.• Wear clothing with sleeves that can be raised above theelbow.• RELAX!• Avoid strenuous physical activity for a few hours afteryour donation.

At Registration, you will need to• Present a picture I.D. or a Red Cross or Shepeard DonorCard (depending on the area in the state where you aredonating)• Complete a Donor Record Form• Refer to a Medical Cheat Sheet

They will check your• Hemoglobin• Blood pressure• Temperature• Pulse

The technician will confirm your• Name• Weight• Age

For the procedure• They will ask which arm you prefer and set you upaccording to your preference.• They will put a blood pressure cuff on your upper arm.• They will sterilize the insertion spot on your arm.• They will insert a sterile, non-reusable needle to drawone unit/pint of blood. This usually takes fewer than tenminutes.• They will also fill five small test tubes so a lab can check

your blood type, and for various blood diseases such as HIVand West Nile Virus.

After the procedure• Rest and enjoy refreshments

• Drinks• Snacks

• You need to stay in the refreshing area for 10 minutes.• Feel good that you may have just saved a person’s life.• If you cannot donate because of your doctor’s orders orbecause you have traveled to a country where certaindiseases are prevalent, such as malaria, you can stillvolunteer by guiding donors to the correct stations orsetting out refreshments.• Be certain to wear your lodge shirt.

Report your donation to Wor. Bro. M. Steven Fishmanat 706.829.1155 or email him at mstevenfishman@juno.comor the Brother in charge of your lodge donation.

Top Ten Blood Drive Reports as of June 10Webb No. 166: 741Houston No. 260A. J. Miller No. 204 231Ft. Valley No. 110 231Tucker No. 42 199Fulton No. 216 159Rockmart No. 97 149Rising Sun No. 32 129Lyons No 49 121Oak Bowery No. 81 99

June 2016 / 9

Fraternal Lodge No. 37 ofMcDonough hosted aCPR / AED training classon Saturday April 23 with16 people in attendancemostly members of BoyScout Post No. 61.

Fraternal Lodge No. 37 Holds CPR/AED Class

Blue Mountain Lodge No. 38 held its first Ladies’ Ap-preciation Dinner on Tuesday, 26 April. This special dinner’sintention was to thank the Ladies of our Masons, that eachof them are an important part of our function. Flowers andcandles adorned the tables and a special meal was prepared.All the Ladies received gifts to recognize their support oftheir significant others to the fraternity.

Blue Mountain Lodge Honors their Ladies

Marion Lodge No. 14 and Cordelia Lodge No. 296 Hold Joint CommunicationMarion Lodge and Cordelia Lodge held a join commu-

nication on May 3. The evening began with a fine meal atthe Tazwell Methodist Church. After the meal, Mrs.SheilaHall, widow of Wor. Bro. Ronald K. Hall, was presented acertificate honoring her late husband who passed away inJanuary.

Bro. Ronnie was Worshipful Master of Marion Lodgefor 8 years and served aslodge secretary for 5 years.He was the DDGM for Sub-district 3B, a Master Mas-ter over 46 years, an AirForce Veteran, and very ac-tive in both the Methodistand Baptist churches inTazwell. Ronnie and Sheilawere blessed with twosons, Brad and Bryan, andthree grand children. Bro.Ronnie was a much beloved Mason by all who knew him.

The courthouse was also usedas a Post Office, among otherbusinesses.

Mrs. Sheila Hallholds a framed certifi-cate presented to herby Wor. Bro. DavidSimmons, Master ofthe 3rd Masonic Dis-trict.

Brothers of Marion Lodge No. 14, established in 1840,have met in this old courthouse since its construction in1848. Prior to this they met in the courthouse that burnedin 1845. Prior to meeting in the first courthouse, they hadtheir own lodge hall which also burned.

From the church, the Brothers drove the short distanceto the lodge hall where the joint communication wasopened. Twenty-five Brothers were present.

Marion Lodge is proud of the blue carpeted church pewsdonated by Middle Georgia Daylight Lodge No. 756.

Wor. Bro. Lawrence Tondeepresented Marion Lodge’s Wor-shipful Master George R.McGlaun, Jr. the Gold Award fromthe York Rite College of NorthAmerica by the Middle GeorgiaYork Rite College No. 201.

Right Worshipful BrotherGary H. Leazer, Deputy GrandMaster, presented Wor. Bro.William Vaughn his apron asthe Custodian of the 3rd Ma-sonic District. He previouslyserved as Assistant Custodianunder Wor. Bro. DavidSimmons until Bro. Simmonswas elected District Masterearlier this year.

10 / June 2016

Worshipful MasterDavid Shockley fromStatham Lodge No. 634 pre-senting a scholarship checkto Worshipful Brother LarryBoozer to benefit BarrowCounty High School stu-dents.

Statham Lodge No. 634 Holds "Current Sitting Masters’ Night"Statham Lodge No. 634 had every chair filled with current sitting masters from District 9G along with Grand Master F.

Andrew Lane, Jr. presiding in the East.

Current Worshipful Masters from all lodges in District9-G are pictured with Grand Master F. Andrew Lane. Fromleft to right in this photo. WM Chris Tullis - Hudson LodgeNo. 294; WM Robin Baker - Rockwell Lodge No. 191; WMBrandon Haney - Winder Lodge No. 333; WM David Shockley- Statham Lodge No. 634; WM Josh Wilson - Unity LodgeNo. 36; WM John Bush - Davidson Lodge No. 103; GrandMaster Lane; WM Ernie Stovall - Barrow Jackson DaylightLodge U.D; WM Bill Garner - Johnnies Hill Lodge No. 748;WM Stacy Burgess - Carter Hill Lodge No. 268; and WM AllenWiley - Auburn Lodge No. 230.

MWB Lane rec-ognizing andt h a n k i n gChildren's HomeAlumni Mrs.Brenda Brannonand Mrs. SylviaTarpley alongside WM DavidShockley.Brenda Brannon

spoke on behalf of the Children's Home.

Sweetwater Lodge No. 421 was a Gold sponsor for theLilburn Relay for Life. Not only were we a Gold sponsor butalso cooked for the event. The Lodge brothers cooked Hotdogs, hamburgers & BBQ. With the sponsor and cooking,Sweetwater raised $1,400 for the event.

Please see the attached photo of just a few of the broth-ers that helped. From (L-R) Sr. Warden Brother CarlMcAdams, Jr. Deacon Brother Robby McAdams, Jr. WardenWos. Brother Andy McAdams, Brother John Todd, Worship-ful Master Joe Martin Brown and Brother Richard Garner.

Sweetwater Gold Sponsor for Relay for Life

Brother Chuck Shaw,Sweetwater Lodge No. 421,formed a team honoring his Auntwho died recently of cancer.Brother Chuck's team raised over$4,500 for the event which wasthe second highest amountraised by a team.

Shown in picture is BrotherChuck Shaw holding his certifi-cate for the Team with "MostTeam Spirit."

Sweetwater Team raises over $4,500for Relay for Life

June 2016 / 11

108th Annual District Convention of the Tenth Masonic District Held

Important Words from the Desk of the Grand SecretaryThe following are several important Dates and

Deadlines for your consideration.

All secretary’s Monthly Reports must be receivedin the Grand Lodge Office no later than July 10. Begin-ning July 20, a $3.00 per day penalty will be chargedthat Lodge until all delinquent reports are received.(Masonic Code Section 26-109)

Funds from the Endowment and Educational Fund(Penny Box) must be turned in to the Masonic Homeno later than July 31. Designation as to which Fund isto receive the money should be annotated on thecheck. (Masonic Code Section 25-122)

Proposed changes to the Masonic Code must besubmitted to the Grand Lodge Office no later thanAugust 1. (Masonic Code Section 3-114)

Per-Capita Statements are to be paid no later thanSeptember 1. After that date, a 10% penalty will beaccesseed. (Masonic Code Section 23-129) As a mat-ter of information, the Per-Capita Statement will bemailed in July if all Monthly Reports have been receivedon time.

Any changes to the Lodge’s By-Laws must be submit-ted to the Grand Lodge Office no later than Septem-ber 15 in order to be considered by the Grand Lodge.(Masonic Code Section 22-102)

The District Master, Wor. Bro. Art Dickerson, and hisofficers opened a called communication of Martinez No.710 for the purpose of hosting the 108th session of the10th Masonic District Convention at 10.00 a.m. on June 11.

Most Worshipful Brother F. Andrew Lane, Jr., GrandMaster, ws found in waiting and was found in waiting andwas received and given Private Honors. He introduced hisGrand Lodge officers present as well as the District Depu-ties to the Grand Masters and Grand Lodge committeemembers.

Wor. Bro. Jarrod Coffey, Worshipful Master of MartinezLodge No. 710, welcomed all.

Wor. Bro. Wayne Collins, chairman of the Tenth Dis-trict Deputies, and Grand Master Lane led in the memo-rial service for the 27 Brothers who had passed away inthe Tenth District since the 2015 Convention.

Martinez Lodge No. 710 won the attendance award.Wor. Bro. Ronny D. Lanham announed that Wor. Bro.

James Oliver “Bucky” Summers had been awarded the E.Alton Rogers Award from the Tenth District.

(Left) Outgoing District Master ArtDickerson

(Right) Newly elected District MasterDouglas Bridges

(Above) Officers of the 10th MasonicDistrict

12 / June 2016

Seventh District Masonic Convention’s 119th Annual CommunicationAt 9.00 a.m., the Seventh District Master, Wor. Bro.

Harold McDurmon, and his officers opened the 119th AnnualCommunication of the Seventh District Masonic Convention(That’s how they spell it.), hosted by Cherokee Lodge No.66. The Most Worshipful Grand Master, F. Andrew Lane, Jr.

was found inwaiting and wasreceived by Wor.Bro. Robert L.Bryant, DDGMDistrict Chairmanand five of theDDGMs. TheGrand Masterintroduced hisGrand Lodgeofficers who were

present, after which Past Grand Master, E. Ray Knittelwelcomed other distinguished Masons. Bro. Tim Burkhalter,Sheriff of Floyd County welcome all to the Convention asdid Wor. Bro. Jim Alford, Worshipful Master of CherokeeLodge.

Reading of the previous District Convention wassuspended when the District Secretary, J. Lynn Woodall,announced the meetings could be found on his desk.Reports were all printed in the program passed out to allattending the Convention. The Secretary announced thatthe 67 lodges in the District had raised 98 Master Masonssince the last meeting. District Master Harold McDurmonannounced the groups working together this year hadcollected money to award 18 $1,000 scholarships. Hespecifically mentioned the corporate sponsors, many ofwhom were present to present scholarships, the Masonic

Ladies ofthe 7th

D i s t r i c ts o l dcookbooksand alsopresentedscholarshipsa n dm o n e y

raised from the 2nd annual charity golf event.The 66 lodges in the 7th District contributed $44,844.69

to the Masonic Home Endowment Fund; ten lodges gave$1,000 or more, with Tompkins No. 466 giving $14,940.30.

Wor. Bro. Eddie Gurley, Custodian, and Wor. Bro. BillNorton, Assistant Cusodian for the 7th District, reported theyissued 386 white cards, 370 blue cards, 59 green cards and66 orange cards.

Johnny Agan Traveling Men

Scholarship Winners

Past Grand Masters present at the Convention wereMWB. A. Ray Earwood (1988), MWB Edgar Land (2014),MWB Dr. Gary D. Lemmons (2001), District Master HaroldMcDurmon, MWB J. Edward Jennings (2009), MWB E. RayKnittel (2013), and MWB Thomas L. Blanton (2004).

Immediate Dis-trict Past Master HaroldMcDurmon (left) andnewly installed DistrictMaster Harry Nelson.

Wor. Bro. Richard Cunningham, Assistant State Director forMasonic Education & Leadership Development, reportedthat three lodges, Cherokee No. 66, Shannon No. 100, andCaledonia No. 121, each held eleven courses during the year.

Wor. Bro. Gary Fisher, Floyd Springs No. 167, was namedMason of the Year.

The 2016 Masonic Golf Tournament will be heldNovember 4 at the Stonebridge Golf Course. Golfers andsponsors are asked to contact Wor. Bro. Harold McDurmonfor specific information.

A Lodge of Sorrow and Memorial Service was held afterdinner with Wor. Bro. Richard A. Cunningham, 7th DistrictPast Master, Wor. Bro. Howard Touchstone, 7th DistrictChaplain, and all DDGMs present conducting the service.

The following morning Wor. Bro. Harry Nelson, SamuelS. Lawrence No. 721, was elected District Master for theensuing year. Wor. Bro. J. Lynn Woodall asked that he notbe re-elected as Secretary. Wor. Bro. Stan Walker, CherokeeNo. 66, was elected Secretary. The other officers moved upone station. Most Worshipful Bro. F. Andrew Lane, Jr.installed each officer and each was escorted to his station.

The Convention concluded at noon with a fine BBQmeal.

June 2016 / 13

Association of Blue Lodge AmbassadorsBill Andrew, 7th District Ambassador

Brethren, the Association of Blue Lodge Ambassadorshas had a very busy year. The individual Blue LodgeAmbassadors in the 7th District, in conjunction with theirDistrict Ambassador, Worshipful Masters and DDGMs, haverolled out the following programs.

The Children’s Garden is still producing great donationresults. To date, the Grand Lodge has received over 1,350paver donations with over $170,000 having been raised.Each lodge in the 7th District has been asked to make adonation for a paver in lieu of flowers in recognition ofdeceased brethren. It is important to note that all proceedsfrom the Children’s Garden donations will go directlytowards the collage campaign.

Last year, a statewide Masonic Home Ambassador fundraiser was established to raise funds for laptop PCs for thecollege-bound students at the Home, and it was anoverwhelming success. The lodges in the 7th District madesignificant contributions. Statewide, our goal was $3,000and we raised $11,516 in total funds. These funds will bekept in a laptop fund for future use for college-boundstudents over the next several years.

This year, the Ambassadors are planning to take on amuch bigger project. We are raising funds to refurnish, re-carpet and repaint all of the children’s living room areas.This was last done over 14 years ago. All of our lodges areasked to have a special fundraiser for this project, and anumber of lodges in the 7th District have already madecontributions.

All 7th District lodges have been asked to considerpurchasing a Masonic Home Lodge Ambassador Apron for

their Ambassadors to wear as their lodge aprons. This apronis not mandatory for any lodge, but can be obtained for adonation of $30. Proceeds from the apron sales will go tothe Masonic Home. The response from our lodges has beenvery good.

This year the Grand Lodge started the Masonic Homeschool supplies program. All lodges in the 7th District havebeen asked to put a large box marked for “Masonic HomeSchool Supplies” in their dining areas and start collectingschool supplies for the children of the Home to use. Thelodges’ Masonic Home Ambassadors should take thesupplies to the Masonic Home Family Day or the MasonicHome Appreciation Day. A list of needed supplies has beendistributed to each lodge.

The 7th District was well represented at Masonic HomeWorkdays last year and again this year. That our brethrenare willing to give of their time and material resources forthe benefit of our children is truly remarkable. It exhibitsfirm commitment to the principles of our Masonic Order,as well as love of the fraternity.

I want to thank each and every brother in the 7th Districtfor their generous donations and hard work. Your effortsare greatly appreciated by our Masonic Home Children whoare the true “Heartbeat” of Georgia Masonry!

Tonight the Worshipful Master, Wardens and brethrenof Dallas Lodge No. 182 recognized that 99% of what I ac-complish, as Blue Lodge Ambassador to the Children's Homein Macon, comes from my wife, Margie. Without her sup-port in all my Masonic activities I wouldn't be where I amtoday. Very proud of her.

Thanks, Bro Tim

MWB F. Andrew Lane, Jr. poses with the newly installed7th District officers.

MWB Drew Lane poses with Wor. Bro. J. Lynn Woodallwho retired as 7th District Secretary.

14 / June 2016

Eight Secret Societies You Might Not Know

By Jackie Mansky, smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Magazine, 07 March2016The popularity of these secret clubs peaked in the 18th and 19th centuries

By their very name, secret societies inspire curiosity,fascination and distrust. When the Washington Post broke thestory last month that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spenthis final hours in the company of members of a secret societyfor elite hunters, people instantly wanted to know more aboutthe group.

The fraternity in question, International Order of St.Hubertus, was incorporated by Count Anton von Sporck in 1695and was originally intended to gather “the greatest noble huntersof the 17th Century, particularly in Bohemia, Austria andcountries of the Austro Hungarian Empire, ruled by theHabsburgs,” according to its official website. After theorganization denied membership to Nazis notably military leaderHermann Goering, Hitler dissolved it, but the order reemergedafter World War II, and an American chapter was founded in thelate 1960s.

The order is just one of many clandestine organizationsthat exist today, though the popularity of these secret clubspeaked in the 18th and 19th centuries, writes Noah Shachtmanfor Wired. Back then, many of these societies served as safespaces for open dialogue about everything from academia toreligious discourse, removed from the restrictive eye of thechurch and state. As Schatman writes:

These societies were the incubators of democracy, modernscience, and ecumenical religion. They elected their own leadersand drew up constitutions to govern their operations. It wasn’tan accident that Voltaire, George Washington, and Ben Franklinwere all active members. And just like today’s networked radicals,much of their power was wrapped up in their ability to stayanonymous and keep their communications secret.

The emphasis on secret was what inspired so much distrustin the exclusive clubs. No less than the New York Times weighedin on secret societies in 1880, not wholly dismissing the theorythat “Freemasonry brought about the civil war and acquittedPresident Johnson and… has committed or concealed crimeswithout number.” The Times comments, “This able theory ofFreemasonry is not so readily believed as the theory that theEuropean secret societies are the ruling power in Europe, butthere are still many people as yet outside the lunatic asylumwho firmly believe it.”

Many religious leaders felt at the very least conflicted aboutsecret orders. In 1887, Reverend T. De Witt Talmage wrote hissermon on “the moral effect of Free Masonry, Odd Fellowship,Knights of Labor, Greek Alphabet and other Societies.” Thereverend, who said he had “hundreds of personal friends whobelonged to orders” used Proverbs 25: 9 —”discover not a secretto another” —to ask his audience to question whether or notbeing a member of a secret society would be a positive or negativedecision for them. Meanwhile, that same week, Roman Catholic

Cardinal James Gibbons took a more definitive stand on secretorders, saying that they had “no excuse for existence.”

In the United States in the late-19th century, there wasenough of a national uproar against secret societies that oneconcerned group created an annual “Anti-Secret SocietyConvention.” In 1869, at the national convention in Chicago, theattendees went after the “secular press.” The organization’ssecretary said that the press “either approved or ignored secretsocieties” while “few religious papers have spunk enough tocome out for Christ in opposition to Masonry.” But by 1892, thegroup, which deemed the societies an “evil to society and amenace to our civil institutions,” had failed to “secure themanything but strong denunciation,” as the Pittsburgh Dispatchcommented.

While The Da Vinci Code novelist Dan Brown and hiscontemporaries have shined a light upon some of the biggersecret fraternal organizations like the Order of Skull and Bones,Freemasons, Rosicrucians and the Illuminati, there are still other,lesser-known groups that have compelling stories of their own.Here are just a few:

The Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elksof the World

In 1907, the Seattle Republican reported on the Order ofElks, writing that “it is claimed by members and officers that itis one of the most thriving secret societies among Afro-Americansof this city.” According to the non-profit African American Registry,the fraternal order was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1899after two black men were denied admission to the Beneloventand Protective Order of Elks of the World, which is still populartoday and, despite questions raised on discriminative practices,now allows any American citizen, 21 years or older, who believesin God to be invited to join its ranks.

The two men decided to take the order’s name and maketheir own club around it. Formally called the ImprovedBenevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World, the orderwas once considered to be at the center of the black community.During the era of segregation, the lodge was one of the few placeswhere black men and women could socialize, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote. In recent years, however, the Post-Gazettecommented that the secret organization has struggled to retainits relevance. Still, the secret society continues to sponsoreducational scholarship programs, youth summer computerliteracy camps, parades as well as community service activitiesthroughout the world.

The Grand Orange LodgeThe Grand Orange Lodge, known more commonly as the

“Orange Order” got its name from Prince William III, the Princeof Orange, and was founded after the Battle of theDiamond outside a small village in modern-day Northern Ireland

June 2016 / 15

called Loughgall. Its purpose was to ”protect Protestants”and that’s why, in 1849, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, GeorgeWilliam Frederick Villiers, captured the ire of Dublin’s WaterfordNews for supporting the society. The paper wrote, “Lord Clarendonhas been holding communication with an illegal society in Dublinfor upwards of ten days. The Grand Orange Lodge, with its secretsigns and pass-words, has been plotting with his Excellency duringthe whole of that period. This may seem strange, but it is afact…”

At the time, secret societies were banned from Ireland asthey were said to have acted in “antagonism to the “Land League,”an Irish political organization, according to Ireland’s officialrecords on statistics of eviction and crime.

The Grand Orange Lodge is still around today with clubs inIreland, as well as others around the world. Prospective membersof the Protestant fraternity don’t take a pledge, they just have toaffirm their acceptance of the Principles of Reformation, as wellas loyalty to their country. As to the question of whether they are“anti-Roman Catholic”, the official website states, “Orangeismis a positive rather than a Pythagorean ideal of friendship. Allof its founding members worked for the government in somecapacity, and it was the first fraternal order to be chartered byan act of Congress, the order’s official website writes. TheKnights of Pythias’ colors are blue, yellow and red. Blue signifiesfriendship, yellow charity and red benevolence, the NorthCarolina Evening Chronicle wrote in a special edition celebratingthe 50th anniversary of the club in 1914.

The Knights of Pythias is still active and is a partner of theBoy Scouts of America, the second organization to receive itscharter from the United States Congress.

The Ancient Order of the ForestersKnown today as “Foresters Friendly Society,” the Ancient

Order of the Foresters was initially established in 1834,according to the society’s website, albeit under a slightlydifferent name. The Ancient Order was created before state healthinsurance began in England, so the club offered sick benefits toits working class members.

In 1874, the American and Canadian branches left theAncient Order and set up the Independent Order of the Foresters. Candidates looking to be admitted to the club had to “pass anexamination by a competent physician, who is himself boundby his connection with the order,” the Boston Weekly Globe wrotein 1879. The society still provides insurance policies today forits members, who also engage in a variety of community serviceactivities.

The Ancient Order of United WorkmenJohn Jordan Upchurch and 13 others in Meadville,

Pennsylvania, founded the Ancient Order of United Workmen in1868 with the goal of bettering conditions for the working class.Like the Foresters, it set up protections for its members. Initially,should a member die, all brothers of the order contributed adollar to a member’s family. That number would eventually becapped at $2,000.

The Ancient Order of United Workmen is no longer around,

but its legacy continues, as the order unintentionally createda new kind of insurance that would influence other fraternalgroups to add an insurance provision in their constitutions.

The Patriotic Order Sons of AmericaThe Patriotic Order Sons of America dates back to the early

days of the American Republic, according to its official website.Following in the footsteps of The Sons of Liberty, the Order ofUnited Americans and Guards of Liberty, the Patriotic Sons ofAmerica, which later added the word “Order” to its name, becameone of the “most progressive, most popular, most influential aswell as strongest patriotic organizations” in the United States inthe early 20th century, the Allentown Leader wrote in 1911.

How progressive the order actually was is up tointerpretation. In 1891, the Sons of America refused to deletethe word “white” in its constitution, defeating a proposition thatwould allow black men to apply. Today, the order opens itsmembership up to “all native-born or naturalized American malecitizens, 16 years and older, who believe in their country and itsinstitutions, who desire to perpetuate free government, and whowish to encourage a brotherly feeling among Americans, to theend that we may exalt our country, to join with us in our work offellowship and love.”

The Molly MaguiresIn the 1870s, 24 foremen and supervisors in the coal mines

of Pennsylvania were assassinated. The suspected culprit?Members of the secret society, the Molly Maguires, anorganization with Irish origins brought to the United States byIrish immigrants. The Maguires likely got its name becausemembers used women’s clothing as a disguise while allegedlycarrying out its illegal acts, which also included arson anddeath threats. The group was finally undone by a mole plantedby the famed Pinkerton Detective Agency, which was hired by themining companies to investigate the group. In a series of criminaltrials, 20 Maguires were sentenced to death by hanging. TheOrder of the Sons of St. George, another secret organization,which was founded in 1871 to oppose the Maguires also appears

to have vanished.

Illustration depicting a Molly Maguire firing a pistol. Woodcut,

1877. (Corbis)

16 / June 2016

The Valley of Atlanta’s Calendar is filling quickly withmany events.

For those of you who enjoy a good Cigar and theFellowship of a Brother, please contact the Valley office.A group has formed.

We are looking for Brothers who wish to participatein the Dramatization of the Scottish Rite degrees and thecast of the Traitor. Non-Speaking and Speaking parts

July 7th … Stated Meeting … A real Red, White andBlue celebration of Independence with a Program thatwill educate our Children and Grandchildren; Stir thehearts with songs that Celebrate our Independence in aSing-a- Long fashion and hear dramatic readings. Dinner(Hot Dogs; Hamburgers) is free but reservations will notbe accepted after noon, Tuesday, July 5th.

July 13th … 9am – 3pm. Acting Classes for all MasterMasons regardless of Valley or State. A valid dues cardwill be required. There is no cost for the class. Lunch willbe $10. Call the Valley of Atlanta office to makereservations, 404-873- 3659.

Aug 4th … Stated Meeting … ScholarshipPresentations

Aug 17th … Acting Classes for those unable to attendthe July 13 th event.

Sept 1st … Stated Meeting … Honoring FirstResponders with the Arthur Kaplan

Sept 30th - Oct 1st … 235th Reunion and Class honoringIll. W. Larry Hicks, 33° who served as Director of Work for30 Years.

Oct 1st … The Orient of Georgia will honor the yearsof Service of Ill Leonard E. Buffington, SGIG Orient ofGeorgia with a Banquet. Sovereign Grand CommanderRonald A. Seale and Lieutenant Grand Commander, JamesD. Cole will be in attendance. More information will beavailable soon.

Nov 3rd … Stated Meeting … Honoring our VeteransDec 1st … Stated Meeting … Association Night.Dec 3rd … CHOA Parade … Children’s Healthcare of

Atlanta has invited us to participate again this year in theparade up Peachtree St. Once again we are asking all toget on board and support this event with your donationof $100. Ourgoal is 100 donations of $100 each for RiteCarewhich assists children with Speech, Hearing and otherLanguage disorders. Let’s flood Peachtree Street withBrothers in Scottish Rite Caps again this year. The ScottishRite Hospital is there because our predecessors had thepassion and desire to help children.

The Scottish Rite ofThe Scottish Rite ofThe Scottish Rite ofThe Scottish Rite ofThe Scottish Rite of F F F F Freemasonryreemasonryreemasonryreemasonryreemasonry

Web Site:

GaScottishRite.org

Ill. Leonard E. Buffington, SGIG, Orient of Georgia

Greetings from the Valley of Columbus. Scottish RiteFreemasonry is alive and well in the River City. On FridayMay 20th and Saturday, 21st, 2016 the Columbus Valleyheld a joint Spring Class Reunion with the Shrine Templeand Ft. Benning Shrine Club, in Memory of Ill. Bro. andNoble Charles Wilson 33°. We congratulate and welcome:

Brothers James A. Powell Jr. and Ron P. Provencher asour new Masters of the Royal Secret.

Ill. Bro. Paul E. Wells, 33°, gave the highlights andexpressed his appreciation for how hard the Cast andCrew practiced and executed each of the degrees. Bro.Clyde Hill was our Point of Contact and Team Captain forthe Shrine team. In attendance to assist from the Al SihahShrine Temple was James C. Roberson, POTENTATE 2016.

We invite our Blue Lodge brethren to visit us on any3rd Friday at 6:30pm and enjoy a fine dinner before ourmonthly meetings. Please visit our web site atscottishritecolsga.com for more information.

The Valley of Savannah is active with VMAP and reap-ing great results. We gained thirty one new members fromour Spring Reunion and our membership chairman haspromised the same number or more for our Fall Reunion.

During the Summer we will hold our Ring Ceremonyon July 5 and Family Night on August 2. We will alsopresent scholarship checks to nine deserving students atour July meeting. For a full list of activities visit ourwebsite at www.savannahscottishrite.com.

June 2016 / 17

Doyle R. HatfieldR. E. G. C.

GRANDCOMMANDERY

Benjamin W. Polston IIM. I. G. M.

GRANDCOUNCIL

William F. ShepardM. E. G. H. P.

GRANDCHAPTER

THE YORK RITE IN GEORGIAEditor: Michael H. Sampsell Email: mike@thesampsells.com

http://www.yorkrite of ga.org

The Grand York Rite Session was held during the first week of May and a new slate of officers was elected.William F. “Bill” Shepard was elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Georgia, Benjamin W.“Ben” Polston, Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Georgia and Doyle R. Hatfield, Right EminentGrand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Georgia. John H. Johnson was elected as Excellent Grand Master of2nd Veil, Grand Chapter of Georgia. C. Hendry Howard was elected as Excellent Grand Master of 1st Veil, GrandChapter of Georgia. Robert “Rusty” Cordle was elected as Illustrious Grand Steward of the Grand Council of Georgia.Robert L. “Sonny” Head was elected as Eminent Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Commandery of Georgia. Tommy T.Marshall was elected as Eminent Grand Warder of the Grand Commandery of Georgia.

Congratulations to all and we hope for another fantastic year in York Rite Masonry.

2016 Greater Atlanta York Rite Festival

WHEN: August 13th and 20th, 2016 Registration @ 8:00am, degrees begin @ 9:00am

WHERE: Atlanta Masonic Center, 1690 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

COST: The cost for each day is $15.00 for meal and refreshments. Pay that day.

The Chapter and Council Degrees will be conferred on Saturday, August 13, 2016. The Orders of the

Commandery will be conferred on Saturday, August 20, 2016. Come early each Saturday for coffee

and refreshments.Run all petitions/candidate fees through your local York Rite body prior to the Festival.

NO VOTING WILL BE ALLOWED AT THE FESTIVAL

CONTACT: Dana Schwarz, Pres., email: dschwarz@gascottishrite.org Phone: 678-644-5685

FIND YOUR CLOSEST YORK RITE

http://www.yorkriteofga.org/york-rite-by- city.html

GEORGIA YORK RITE WEBSITE

www.yorkriteofga.org

PETITION FOR YORK RITE BODIES

http://www.yorkriteofga.org/bpfiles/combpet.pdf

Ben PolstonM.I.G.M.

Doyle R. HatfieldR.E.G. C.

William F. ShepardM.E.G.H.0

18 / June 2016

William WallsWoodbine No. 326

Everett L. HarvellWoodbine No. 326

John William AlfordDavidson No. 334

Jimmy LeeRochelle No. 190

Jerry Smith, Eugene Smith No. 279(Lodge named after his father)

Jerry Lee FowlerClinton No. 54

Charles ShurlingTennille No 256

Kenneth BanksFranklin No. 11

Bobby Dean SegersPickens Star No. 220

John R. MartinWaycross No. 305

Jerry F. StreatWaycross No. 305

June 2016 / 19

Troy Vernon AutryPlainville No. 364

Daniel Hill GrayPlainville No. 364

Lawrence ValentinoMoultrie No. 381

Jimmy Milton ParkerAlexander No. 385

Henry Lamar HardinDucktown No. 572

Charles Edward CooperMountain Park No. 729

Clair Robert “Bob” Genung, RT Shafer No. 350,Gainesville, FL. Presented by Dan Dancus, DGM &Joe Brown, WM at Sweetwater No. 421

Stephen NelsonSincerity No. 430

Charles ShaferSweetwater No. 421

65 Years

Carl WheelerSincerity No. 430

20 / June 2016

60 Years

Edgar Leon O’NealYonah No. 382

James Thomas WilliamsMt. Vernon No. 22

Frank BarronEmerson No. 738

55 Years

Howard LocklearBuchanan No. 78Charles Lee Harper & Mary Bessie

Franklin No. 11

William Estus ThomasCairo No. 299

Edmund Charles InmanWaycross No. 305

James Benson SaylorsNancy Hart No. 690

Randolf G. CaldwellStockbridge No. 691

60 Years

June 2016 / 21

Was George Washington A Knights Templar?

Was George Washington a Masonic Knights Templar?Occasionally a young visitor to the George Washington

Masonic Memorial will pose this question. Simply andliterally, the answer is “no,” but it can become complicatedby Royal Arch history and Washington’s early militarycareer. It is a fact that the first recorded evidence of aRoyal Arch degree conferral occurred in FredericksburgLodge, Virginia in 1753, only a few months after youngWashington was raised to the third degree. It is thereforepossible that Washington might have received thosedegrees later in his life. And if the Royal Arch, why couldhe not have received the Order of the Temple? The firstKnights Templar commandery in Pennsylvania wasorganized during Washington’s presidency inPhiladelphia. So the story could go.

Outside the Lodge, young Washington’s greatestaspiration was a king’s commission in the English army.Had the young Washington distinguished himself duringhis six years of active military service he might have beenknighted in “The Most Honourable Military Order of theBath,” not the Masonic Order of the Temple!

Such conjecture about Sir George Washingtondisappears when he joins the Rebellion in 1775.Independence from Great Britain in 1783 brought an endto American aristocracy and the U.S. Constitutionestablished a democratic republic with no monarchy. Withsuch egalitarian aspirations it becomes highly unlikelythat Washington would be a Royal Arch Mason. How couldhe explain belonging to a chapter presided over by a HighPriest, King and Scribe? Furthermore, how couldWashington accept Knights Templar’s spurs, if he hadalready refused a crown?

That Washington would not be king in the 1780s begsthe question how could any American presume to be aknight—let alone a member of an order based on themedieval order of Catholic monks? Yet there existedcommanderies during Washington’s life. Within threeyears of Washington’s death, Knights Templarcommanderies at Providence, Rhode Island, Boston andNewburyport, Massachusetts formed the first GrandEncampment in 1802.

From these local beginnings and despite the anti-Masonic period and the Civil War, the Knights Templarwas the most successful Masonic organization in the 19th

century. Rising from an estimated 100 knights in 1808,there were nearly 200,000 knights in over 1,200 localcommanderies in 1908.

Such success was largely because America in the 19th

century lived an age of adventures and crusades. FromStephen Decatur on the Barbary Coast to TheodoreRoosevelt on San Juan Hill, America was “manifestdestiny,” abolition, temperance, “rags to riches,” muscularChristianity, and the Wild West. The Knights Templarserved two primary needs in those times. First, KnightsTemplar parades were demonstrative of the Christian

piety that marked the Victorian Age. Second, KnightsTemplar, like many other paramilitary fraternal orders,provided security in an age of labor strikes and riots, socialupheaval and economic misfortunes.

What then separates us in 2008 from the Templars of1808 or 1908? Simply, it is the machine slaughter of WorldWar I, the brutality of the Great Depression, and thescientific mass murder of World War II. It is the differencebetween a cavalry charge and a laser-guided missile, amelodramatic General MacArthur and a logistical GeneralEisenhower. It is the difference between 1870s “Onward,Christian Soldiers” and 1970s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?”

Now that we are in the Digital Age, Victorian piety isgone, but also gone is life-time employment with onecorporation. In this age of instant information andcommunication, social mobility and job jumping, is therestill hope for the Poor Knights, the virtuous Washingtonor even the Widow’s Son?

Take a good look through the Internet, the popularvideo games, the hit movies and the best selling booksand you will see a younger generation obsessed with StarWars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and National Treasuremovies. You will see a popular culture focused onadventure and honor.

Low and behold! The grandsons of 1950s engineersand the sons of 1970s cynics dream of becoming Jedi,Knights of Gondor, members of the Order of the Phoenixand seekers of the lost Templar treasure. These are thegenerations who are leading and fighting the war on terror.

These younger men are romantics. Unlike past generationsthey are not motivated by piety or conformity, but by disciplinedirected toward honor and sacrifice. They were raised withinstant gratification, but desire stability. They want themorality of Freemasonry, the chivalry of the Knights Templarand the virtues of Washington. But they do not want to simplymaintain the status quo or play as historic re-enactors. Theyare eager to rejuvenate old traditions while buildingsomething uniquely their own.

Across the country this younger generation isbeginning to join Freemasonry in numbers not seen in 40years. Inspired, in part, by Washington’s membership,these young Freemasons are now asking if Washingtonwas also a Knight Templar. Our answer should not simplybe “no.”

How we greet these knight aspirants will determinethe future of the Order. Are we as Sir Knights livingtestaments of our obligations? Are we leading a lifededicated to God and chivalry? Are we properly trainedto reverently confer the Orders? Are we initiating youngFreemasons with the finest regalia and polished silver?And are we bestowing on these young knights asharpened sword or the same old dusty rules andregulations?

Are we indeed building an Order ready for a youngGeorge Washington to join?

Sir Knight Mark A. TabbertBoston Commandery No. 2, Boston, MA

Director of Collections - George Washington Masonic Memorial

22 / June 2016

The Greatest GenerationWor. Bro. Harry Davis, Camera Designer, World War II Combat Photographer on Saipan

Harry H. Davis was born in Akron, New York, 96 yearsago. He received a degree in photography technology atRochester Institute of Technology and later joined the U.S.Army where he served for 2 1/2 years. He got his first cam-era at age 14.

Corporal Davis was sent to Saipan where fierce fightingwas still raging. In the end, almost the entire garrison ofJapanese troops on the island — at least 30,000 — died.For the Americans, the victory was the most costly to datein the Pacific War. 2,949 Americans were killed and 10,464wounded, out of 71,000 who landed. Future Hollywoodactor Lee Marvin was among the many Americans wounded.

Saipan was a strategic island because it was only 1,500miles from the Japanese Islands and within range of the newBoeing B-29 Superfortress long-range bombers. Corp. Davissurveyed land for a runway so Navy SeaBees could con-struct a 10,000-foot runway for the B-29s. He also flew onraids to Japan to take photos, as well as on recon missionsto take photos of prisoner-of-war camps.

Some of the bomber crews were assigned as arial pho-tographers; photos they shot were hot items which couldbe traded for items they wanted, for some, alcohol whichthe Navy seemed to have . Always looking for more ways toserve their fellow man, they also received money for pho-tos which they donated to various stateside charities andcontributed several hundred dollars for the rebuilding ofthe Masonic Lodge on Guam which had been burned bythe Japanese.

Photography was a new science, especially in war, soBro. Davis was assigned to write photography manuals forthe Army and Navy and develop arial and radar cameras forbombers. A later assignment for Corp. Davis was to photo-graph the entire shoreline of the Japanese Islands in prepa-ration for the planned invasion, which, fortunately, wasnot necessary.

Christians and Jews worshipped in a large tent whichwas inadequate so Bro. Davis and others asked theSeaBees to clear an area and build a chapel. Empty artil-lery shellswere used asbells to callBrothers toworship at thechapel. TheChaplain wasalso a Mason.

By lettingothers know hewas a Freemason, Corp. Davis eventually found 30-40 Ma-sons on Saipan and they started meeting every two weeksas a Club; Navy SeaBees provided T-bone steaks for meals.Many of the Soldiers and Marines buried in the large mili-

tary cemeterywere Freema-sons. The groupdecided to placea Square andCompasses onthe crosses ofthe Freemasonsthey couldidentify.

An Admi-ral on the is-land was aFreemasonand Corp.Davis securedpermission totake photo-graphs, al-though withrestrictions after taking a “Masonic-type” obligation.

He was discharged from the Army after Japan surren-dered. After his military career, he returned to work atGraflex, Inc. He retired in 1983.

He and his wife also traveled on cruises, to Europe,Japan and to other interesting places.

Bro. Davis was Worshipful Master of the Lodge inFairport, New York before he moved to Georgia in 1988.He said he always joins a lodge close to where he lives.He first joined Hampton Lodge No. 70 as that was the clos-est lodge to his home. In 1990, he moved to the ChristianCity Retirement Center in Union City and joined UnionCity Lodge No. 600. He was elected secretary of the UnionCity lodge and served as secretary fourteen years. Hedoesn’t drive a car anymore so cannot attend lodge.

He was raised a Master Mason on December 8, 1943.

Wor. Bro. Davis (2016)Corp. and Bro. Davis (1945)

June 2016 / 23

Harris County Masonic Scholarship Association (HCMSA) hosts Scholarship DinnerEvery May the Harris County Masonic Scholarship

Association (HCMSA) hosts a scholarship dinner where therecipients are recognized for their achievements in school.Since 2001 the HCMSA has given over 60 scholarships whichtotals over $30,000. This year’s dinner was held at HamiltonLodge and our guest speaker this year was Wor. Bro. JanGiddens, Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge ofGeorgia.

The HCMSA was started in 2001 by the four lodges ofHarris Co. for the purpose of recognizing the seniors atHarris Co. High School with an academic scholarshiptowards college. The HCMSA was formed by Hamilton LodgeNo. 16, Chipley Lodge No. 40, Gordon Lodge No. 108, andKinbrough Lodge No. 118. Due to unforeseen circumstancesthe HCMSA is down to only two lodges participating. As ateacher/coach at Harris County High School, a Mason andChairmen of the HCMSA, I am proud of this tradition thatwe started and that we continue to be able recognize andhonor our young people.

Here are some comments from Harris County HighSchool about the scholarships we give . — Coach Grant, P.M.

Dear Mr. Grant and members of the Hamilton Lodgeand Chipley Lodges,

Thank you so much for the wonderful dinner last night. It was “my kind of food” and it was delicious. I am soappreciative to you all for providing this scholarship to ourdeserving students. I know it is not easy trying to raise funds,but we are so grateful for your efforts. I could tell from lastnight, you guys have a great organization with hard-workingmembers. My students and I were all very impressed.

I look forward to working with you again in the future. If there is ever anything I can help you with, let me know.

Sincerely,Tammy T. Bailey M.Ed.

Senior CounselorHarris County High School

Wor. Bro. P. J. Morgan, Worshipful Master of ChipleyNo. 40, Wor. Bro. Coach Rob Grant, Chairmen HCMSA, AaronBurgess, Alivia Davidson, Wor. Bro. Jan Giddens, JuniorGrand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, Katelyn Flynn,Wesley Braddy, and Wor. Bro. Gary Dawson WorshipfulMaster of Hamilton No. 16.

Blue Mountain Lodge No. 38 F. & A. M. donated $200dollars to the Dahlonega Woman’s Club. This donation wasgiven to support their BBQ dinner Friday, June 3rd, 4:30-7:00, at the Community House.

Blue Mountain Lodge assists many local organizationswhich benefit the community.

The Dahlonega Woman's Club was established in 1912and is dedicated to community improvement and supportsover a dozen local projects. This is their website for moreinformation http://www.dahlonegawomansclub.org/.

Pictured are Susie Barefoot, Dahlonega Woman's ClubChairperson, and Craig McCamish Blue Mountain LodgeWorshipful Master.

Blue Mountain Lodge Donates to DahlonegaWomen’s Club

Most WorshipfulBro. F. Andrew LaneJr. recently made anofficial visitation atLafayette Lodge No.44 in Cumming andis shown with theWor. Master, Wor.Bro. Danny Bow-man.

Grand Master F. Andrew Lane, Jr. makes anOfficial Visitation at Lafayette Lodge No. 44

24 / June 2016

“If only one pure sweet girl be saved fromdegradation,If only one boy be rescued from a life of crime,If only one soul be saved for Humanity and God,If but one tear dried, one sorrow comforted,Will not even this be sufficient to reward us all for allour toils and struggles.”

Grand Master Max Meyerhardt said these words asthe cornerstone to the Masonic Home was laid on October27, 1903. Along with other individuals, MWB Meyerhardtplayed an important role in the Masonic Home of Georgiabecoming a reality. Senator Augustus O. Bacon donated100 acres for the Home’s location on the east side of theOcmulgee River in Macon. The site included a beautifulknoll, which enabled the future building to have apanoramic view of the property as well as the river.

On June 14, 1905, Superintendent A. S. Harris and thestaff welcomed the first 14 guests to the Heart of GeorgiaMasonry.

Initially the Home provided care for the elderly aswell as children. However, Grand Lodge made the decisionin 1912 to admit thereafter only children. The elderlyalready at the Home continued to live there until the lastadult, “Aunt Molly” Day, passed away in 1945.

Masonic Home acquired a camp located in ShellmansBluff from Union Paper in 1938. The camp is used by thechildren every summer.

A tornado hit the Home in 1955, but no staff or childrenwere injured.

Did You Know?

Miss Laura Pullen from Brentwood School inSandersville was presented a $500 college scholarship byHamilton Lodge No. 58 by Worshipful Master EdwardBridges.

Scholarship Presented by Hamilton Lodge

Leonard Oswald Houston Receives 75-year Award

Bro. Leonard Oswald Houston received his 75-year awardat Magnolia Lodge No. 86 in Blakely on June 20. Pictured isDuane Earl Noah, Worshipful Master; Bro. Houston; andMWB F. Andrew Lane, Grand Master.

Snellville Lodge No. 99 Hosts Grand Master for his Official Visitation

June 2016 / 25

Do something that matters to the Craft.

Midland No. 144 hosted a hot dog and chip sale for local women’s shelter- Damascus Way -as localvendors fill the lodge room for its annual Truck Sale (photo by Wor. Master Edgeworth).

Midland No. 144 Hosts Hot Dog and C hip Salefor Local Women’s Shelter

Beginning at their club house, the Knights of Solomonheld its second annual dice run with numerous stops thatincluded Hunters Pub.

Brothers and Knights Dave Chappelle (L) and JamesEstes (R) deliver a check to WM Bill Edgeworth(C) of Mid-land No. 144 for over $2,000 dollars which will be donatedto the Masonic Home of Georgia.

Knights of Solomon Motorcyclists Present Check for $2,000 for Masonic Home of Georgia

Cornerstone Ceremony: Saturday, July 9, 2016 inLudowici. The Grand Lodge officers will lay the corner-stone for the re-dedication of Altamaha Lodge No. 227.The ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. at 589 SouthMacon Street, Ludowici. A reception will follow. If youhave never seen a cornerstone dedication, we inviteyou to attend this open ceremony.

26 / June 2016

Brothers,As I travel around the State of Georgia, I hear about

and see first hand that attendance at many of our fraternalmeetings is dropping and that some bodies are having diffi-cult times filling stations and frankly, just paying the bills.

Brothers, we took an obligation at the Holy Altar to sup-port our lodges with our attendance. But, how do you keepthe enthusiasm you felt after the first, second or third de-gree. What is the next step? We know there are greaterthings for each of us in the Craft; things greater than any-thing we have experienced. But if we don’t find what weare looking for, we will soon loose the excitment of beinga Freemason. We speak of Freemasonry as a never-end-ing journey, but if we do not continue on that journey, wewill lose the fire and excitment we once felt.

I realize dues and others expenses to operate a lodgehave gone up, but so has the price of clothes, gasoline, elec-tricity, groceries that we have to pay to operate our homes.If we don’t buy clothes from time to time, our clotheswear out; if we don’t buy gasoline, our cars won’t run, ifwe don’t pay for the electricity we use, Georgia Powerwill disconnect us; if we don’t buy groceries, we will gohungry. That’s a fact of life, Brothers. If we dwell on moneymatters, as important as they are, we will lose sight ofimportant goals.

Operating our lodges should be just as important asoperating our homes.

Everyone of us who have been in the Craft for morethan a few years are concerned that our numbers are de-clining. Most lodges are raising fewer Master Masons thanwe did ten or more years ago so lodges strugge with fewermembers; some lodges merge with other lodges; somelodges close.

Blue lodges are not the only fraternal bodies strug-gling; every Masonic body is struggling: from DeMolaysto Rainbows, to the Eastern Star and theAmaranth, to theScottish Rite, York Rite and the Shrine. I am especiallyconcerned about DeMolays and Rainbows. They are sodependent on us for support, but are receiving very littlesupport.

I received an email from a new Scottish Rite Associa-tion in Valdosta. The Three Rivers Association is designedto accomodate Scottish Rite Masons in the Valdosta areaand to assist the Valley ofAlbany with communications,activities, get more Scottish Rite Masons active and hope-fully trim travel time to meetings. Through the Valley ofAlbany, the Three Rivers Association is actively support-ing More Than Words, a Rite Care Center located at 1701North Patterson in Valdosta, under the direction of Mrs.Jan Roland

The Association meetings are being held at MoodyLodge No. 719 on the first Monday of the month at 6:30

p.m. All Blue Lodge and Scottish Rite Masons are invitedto attend the meetings. For more information, please con-tact John Moncrief, Secretary at 229-412-0683 or DaleTurner, President at 229-560-0642.

I know we sometimes burn out or lose the fire in thebelly, or simply go to sleep. How do we reawaken andreingage in the work of our lodges?

Remember, you have a role to play in your lodges?Not just words that you memorize, but action. You cannotbe half in. Being luke warm is as bad as being cold.

Life can be tough; it usually is.But remember, too. There are treasures to discover.I stayed with my Great Aunt when I went to Junior

College. She lived in the house where her father lived.Aunt Bessie always told me that she thought her fa-

ther hide money somewhere in the house as he was con-cerned the banks would go broke during the Great De-pression and he would lost all his money. She asked meto search her house with my medal detector, but I neverdid.

When Aunt Bessie died, we sold the house. The newowners decided to remodel the house. Guess what theyfound when they knocked down a wall? The money thatAunt Bessie’s father had hidden. I don’t know how muchmoney was found, but they kept it all.

If we as Freemasons don’t search for the hidden trea-sures in the fraternity, we will never know what we aremissing. — GL

“Always dream and shoot higher than you can reach.Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporariesand predecessors; try to be better than yourself.” — Anonymous

The officers of Davitte Lodge No. 513 and friends pre-pare for their 25th annual Children's Day in Aragon. TheLodge includes for the kids, a fishing rodeo, drawing forseveral different prizes, a greasy pole climb, hot dogs,cotton candy, and much more. HATS OFF FOR THE WORKTHEY ENJOY DOING FOR THE KIDS!!

Davitte Lodge Holds 25th Annual Children’s Day

Hidden Treasures of Freemasonry

June 2016 / 27

Brothers, the Senate Armed Services Committee ap-proved its version of the FY 2017 Defense Authorization Bill(S2943). It is considerably different from the one approvedby House Lawmakers on a range of issues.

On Non Healthcare issues, the Bill would provide thefollowing:

1] Approve force levels recommended in the Presidentsbudget rather than increases like the House Bill recom-mended.

2] Make the Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance per-manent at the $310 monthly rate.

3] Provide a 1.6 percent Military Pay raise vs the 2.1percent the House approved.

4] Enable the family to either move early or remain atthe current Duty station for up to six months while theirservicemember begins a new assignment to increase sta-bility with restrictions.

5] Require a test of privatizing Military Commissaries atfive locations.

6] Impose a 25 percent cut in 4-Star Billets and another25 percent cut in other Flag Officers Billets.

6] Require women to register for the Draft.For TRICARE, the Bill makes no changes to TRICARE For

Life, but it would adopt most of the DOD proposed Fee In-creases for other beneficiaries, including :

1] Requiring a new annual enrollment fee for TRICAREStandard that would start at $150/$300 (Single/Family) asof 01 Jan 2018 and raise to $450/$900 over the next fiveyears.

2] Raising the TRICARE Prime annual enrollment fee24 percent to $350/$700 (single/family)

3] Raising the annual cap on out of pocket expenses to$1,500 for currently serving families and $4,000 for retiredfamilies vs the current $1,000/$3,000.

4] Giving the DOD discretion to implement a pilot pro-gram authorizing Guard and Reserve members to electcoverage under the auspices of the Fed Employees HealthInsurance Program.

5] Eliminating TRICARE standard deductibles for carefrom DOD network providers, but doubling the deductibleof $300/$600 (single/family) for out of network care.

6] Changing TRICARE standard co-pays for various pro-vider visits flat fee instead a percentage of TRICAREapproved charges.

7] Adjusting the Annual Enrollment Fees by the samepercentage as the retired pay cola.

8] Adjusting co-pays and other fees by the consumerprice index for Health care services established by the Bu-reau of Labor Statistics.

9] Roughly doubling Pharmacy co-pays over a nine yearperiod, including raising the mail order co-pays for genericdrugs from the current zero to $11 effective in 2020.

Veterans Corner by Rick Conn. Ga State Co-ordinator MSA VAMC Hospital Visitation Program

10] Authorizing DOD to collect a No Show fee formissed appointment by patients at Military facilities.

Like the House passed Bill, the Senate Bill would movemost responsibilities for military health care programs fromthe Army, Navy and Air Force to the Defense Health Agency.This would place Military Health facilities, healthcare deliv-ery, and personnel and budget responsibilities directly un-der DOD for unified planning and execution. The Bill alsoinclude a wide range of provisions aimed at improving ac-cess and quality of care that would include:

1] Eliminating referral requirement under TRICAREPrime for urgent and speciality care.

2] Requiring a single appointment system for all Mili-tary Medical facilities.

3] Expanding Tele-Health capabilities.4] Requiring a DOD plan to improve pediatric care.5] Allowing Military beneficiaries to enroll in Civilian

Dental/Vision plans6] Require new accountability standards for military

healthcare leaders at all levels.MOAA appreciates and supports the Senate Armed Ser-

vices Committee’s efforts to directly address the well docu-mented access, quality and efficiency problems of the mili-tary health system. But they believe the proposed benefi-ciary increased fees are too high and fail to adequately con-sider the very high non cash premiums careerservicemembers and families are required to pay up frontthrough decades of service and sacrifice. Senate leadersplans were to bring the Defense Bill up for full Senate con-sideration by mid June 2016. MOAA has been working withseveral Senators to sponsor important amendments to pro-tect commissaries, help disabled retirees, and increase themilitary pay raise.

When our lawmakers left for Memorial Day recess onthe 26th of May, the fiscal 2017 NDAA process slowed inboth Chambers. As of the 28th of May, more than 250amendments had piled up to be debated by the time theygot back in session on the 6th of June.

Compatriots all, contact your legislators and let themknow your feelings on this Bill and others. Veterans are los-ing their benefits promised to them upon enlistment leftand right. Stand up and let them know that the Veteranpopulation does not approve of it. For those online you cango to the following website:http://votesmart.org/public-statement/1085219/2017-ndaa-update#.V11btfkrLct

Type in your Congressman or Senators name and seewhat they are doing. Then call them with your concerns oremail them.

Till next issue, may God Bless each one of your and mayGod Bless America.

28 / June 2016

Now officially recognized by DeMolay International, theOrder of Squires continues to expand inGeorgia. The program was created for young men ages 9-11 who desire to be a part of our organization, but aren’tquite old enough. It allows them to engage in the learningand service opportunities we offer. It also prepares themfor the time they will become DeMolay and the transitionfrom Squire to DeMolay is almost seamless.

The Committee responsible for bringing Squires toGeorgia were Dad HughD’Anna, Dad JJ Harmon,Mom Tara Zeigler, MomBrandi Westbrooks andMom Abigail Bridgeman.

The first Manor inGeorgia was institutedat Samuel S. Lawrence withfive young men led by MomTara Zeigler. She was excitedabout the Squire Programbecause her son Jacob waseager to be a part of DeMolay. It seemed like a great wayto include the younger brothers. They meet the same dayas the chapter and attend the same events wheneverpossible.

What makes this so successful is how they are included inthe workings of the chapter. SSL Squires are taking their cuesfrom their DeMolay brothers and have established a reputationfor excellence in ritual. Jacob Zeigler competed at Old South,and took first place in both Obligation and Chaplain Prayersand recently at TOC Matthew McCord was the Squire Rookieof the Year. Five of their active members competed in SquireObligation, Chaplain Prayers and Three Virtues.

The next Manor on board was Peachtree City (PTC)which is led by Mom Jean Sullivan. Mom Sullivan first heardof the Squire Program from her son, Hunter Sullivan, PSMC.At that time, Chase Sullivan was constantly begging to goto DeMolay events with his older brother. Squires weren’tavailable at that time, but you can see how much it hasbeen needed. PTC Squires meet once a month and enjoydinner with their brothers and a fun activity after. They haveestablished a “Big Brother” program where a DeMolaypartners up with a Squire. The Squires look up to theDeMolays and it gives the older boys an opportunity tomentor and encourage the younger guys. The Squiresrecently went with the Chapter on their trip to the GeorgiaAquarium. They had an absolute blast. PTC also initiated anew member at the Grand Master’s Class.

Also at the Grand Master’s Class, Columbus welcomedtwo new Squires. They have been welcomed at PTC until

Georgia DeMolay Squires

their own Manor is established. Each Manor has its own Squire Mentor. This is an active

DeMolay who is officially installed and assists the Manorwith its duties and responsibilities. They also act as a bridgebetween the Manor and the Chapter and bring greetingsor provide updates to and from their Squires. Chase Sullivanholds this office for PTC, and Remington Bridgeman is theSquire Mentor from SSL.

The Squire program is a direct link for young men tobecome DeMolay. This was proven recently when JacobZeigler and Matthew McCord took their obligations tobecome active DeMolays and now hold offices in theirChapter. Both are outstanding ritualists and both havealready served as Master Squires. They are eager and readyto assume responsibility at the chapter level and GeorgiaDeMolay can expect great things from them.

The Squire Program may have taken time to establishitself with DeMolay International, but Georgia can alreadysee the benefits it offers to our Chapters. We are able toopen our doors to a wider age group and the Squires comeprepared and ready for DeMolay.

For more information about starting a Squire Manor atyour Chapter, please contact Dad D’Annaat hdanna@gademolay.org .

Brother Remington Bridgeman, State Chaplain for the Associated DeMolay Chapters of Georgia.He is the Editor for Georgia DeMolay's State Newsletter, "The Representative"

On May 28th, Nelms Lodge No. 323, Smyrna, Georgia,hosted an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Addison McClellanof Boy Scout Troop 11 in Smyrna, Georgia. Addison was pre-sented with the Grand Lodge of Georgia Eagle Scout Award.Pictured here (from left to right) is Worshipful Master andTroop 11 Scoutmaster, Jim Cook, Eagle Scout AddisonMcClellan, and District Deputy to the Grand Master, DavidR. Kilgore.

Eagle Scout Recognized at Nelms Lodge

June 2016 / 29

Instructions for Notifying Masonic Organizations of My Death

TO MY SURVIVORS: Upon my death, please notify my Masonic Lodge and the following Masonic organizations. (MyLodge can be contacted by calling the Grand Secretary’s office at the Grand Lodge of Georgia, F. & A. M., (478) 742-1475.That office will provide you with the name and telephone number of the current Lodge Secretary. The Grand Secretarycan also provide a copy of my Masonic record indicating my eligibility.)

Lodge Name: No: ______________________________________________________________________________

Lodge City: Lodge State: ________________________________________________________________________

Other Masonic organizations to which I may belong:

Scottish Rite – Valley of _________________________________________________________________________

York Rite _____________________________________________________________________________________

Shrine – Temple _______________________________________________________________________________

Order of Eastern Star ___________________________________________________________________________

Amaranth ____________________________________________________________________________________

Red Cross of Constantine ________________________________________________________________________

Other _______________________________________________________________________________________

Other _______________________________________________________________________________________

Other _______________________________________________________________________________________

Other _______________________________________________________________________________________

I request the following:

Yes, I want Masonic Services or

No, I do not want Masonic Services

My Masonic apron may be found at _______________________________________________________________(Note: My apron should accompany my body to cremation or burial.)

My Name _______________________________________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________________________________

City State Zip ____________________________________________________________________________________

(Signed) _______________________________________________ Date _________________________

(Note: This form must be signed and dated. Give a copy of this page to your Lodge Secretary. Use the back of thispage to write your family any personal and specific directions that you might have such as the disposal of yourMasonic paraphernalia.)

Created by the Georgia Fifth Masonic District Convention and approved by the Educational and HistoricalCommission, May 2016.

30 / June 2016

Members Reported Deceasedfrom March 5 2016

to June 20, 2016In MemoriumIn MemoriumIn MemoriumIn MemoriumIn MemoriumName Lodge No. Name Name Lodge No. Lodge No.BERRY, RICHARD LEE 1SOLHOSKINS, OWEN LEE 1SOLELLYSON, LEONARD GAIL 1SOCJACKSON, JIMMY LEE 002PENNINGTON, GEORGE CLINE JR 003BAILEY, JACK EDWARD 004GODSEY, A C 008HAMILTON, CURTIS LEON 008KING, WILLIAM EDWARD 008JOHNS, WILLARD CALHOUN 009DANIEL, HUBERT DAVIS 010DANIEL, ROBERT MARSHALL 010HARPER, CHARLES LEE 011CLELAND, WILLIAM HENRY JR 012JOHNSON, ROBERT EDWARD 012SANDERS, MARVIN EDWARD 012SPRATLIN, HARRY LEE 012ONDRIEZEK, OSCAR CLARENCE JR 015WORTH, LOWELL DARNELL 020THOMAS, GERALD MONROE 022HARRISON, SEIGEL RICHARD 026LYNCH, LAWRENCE LEVANN JR 027MULLINAX, TIMOTHY KENNETH 030BAGWELL, HUBERT FREDERICK 033MOWREY, FRED MARSHELL 033BRACKETT, DONNIE WAYNE 035HOLDEN, JEFFERSON DALE 035THOMPSON, RUSSELL HOWARD 035BRIGGS, LAWRENCE MONROE 036DILL, DONNIE LEWIS 037KIBLINGER, DONALD EDWARD 037THOMPSON, JAMES STEVEN 037PALMER, VERNON CECIL 038SWEAT, ROBERT EUGENE 038CRONBAUGH, MARVIN LEE 040DENT, JAMES LOVICK 040WILLIAMSON, DANIEL ALLEN 043STONECIPHER, JOSEPH OSCAR 045CHANEY, ARCHIE CALVIN 046LAMAR, CLARENCE BAIZE JR 048SMITH, JAMES CHARLES 048SLOCUMB, JERRY WAYNE 050STEVENS, JERRY DOUGLAS 051JACKSON, WILLIAM BROCK 053LEVY, HENRY [NMN] 054WILSON, GEORGE CLAYTON 055CLARK, JERRY LAMAR 057FINGARSON, HARLEY LLOYD 059FLOWERS, HARRY NIX 059GASTON, WILLIAM JOSEPH JR 059HARDWICK, GARLAND ROBERT 059HICKS, WILLIAM LARRY 059JONES, JOHN STEWART 059NUNN, MARION TIMOTHY 059THOMPSON, TERRELL GROVER 063

GRACE, WALTER MALCOLM 065JONES, BOBBY DALE 066MCCLAIN, MICHAEL CLAY 066PIERCE, MARSHALL EUGENE 066FARMER, JAMES THEODORE 070DUNCAN, SAMUEL BURNICE 076ANDERSON, WENDALL THOMAS JR 077CUNARD, JAMES DAVID 087FARROW, CLOUD VERNON III 088TAYLOR, JEFFERY JASON 088NOLES, BOMAR DANIEL SR 091CARROLL, JAY EULAS 097CARTER, OLLIE WINFORD 098KILGORE, BILLY LAJOY 100HOOKS, TOMMY 104CAYLOR, EDGAR CECIL 105CHADWICK, RONALD HOLLY 105DEEN, ROBERT HENRY 109BOSWELL, JAMES LINWOOD JR 111JACKSON, JOHN RAYMON 111MAXFIELD, DONALD ALVIN 111MONTGOMERY, ALTON VANDEE JR. 111BROWN, OLGA REDDING JR 112HARVEY, CHRIS ALBERT 113STAHL, DALE EDWARD 113BYARS, STEPHEN DALE 120MIDDLETON, JAMES LAXTON 121ONEAL, LUTHER CARLTON JR 121WINN, DAN PEACE 121MORTON, MARVIN (NMN) JR 131WEESE, CALVIN WESLEY 131HORAN, GEORGE BASS 144JONES, FERRIL HOMER 144PATE, JUNIOR RAY 144HORNE, GEORGE DONALD 151ABERNATHY, LEWIS OERTEL 153WILKES, DAVID BAUM JR 166ADAIR, HAROLD ELLIS 171LEWIS, OLIVER JACKSON 176TURNER, GUY JUNIOR 176BURNHAM, LLOYD ROY 178DICKERSON, EWELL MONTGOMERY 179MCFARLAND, HAROLD KENNETH 182WATTS, JAMES DURRELL 182GRAHAM, BRUCE FRANKLYN 185MCKINNEY, HERBERT CARTER 186DAVIS, PHILLIP LEE 194HALL, ERVIN EUGENE SR 194HARALSON, STEPHEN THOMAS 194AMMONS, ERVIN THOMAS 198DANIELS, ASA CHARLES 198LANGSTON, DAVID EDMOND 198MCINVALE, JOE BILLY 198EGISTER, JULIUS EDGAR 198LANKFORD, CHARLES CLIFTON 200

LEWIS, WILLIAM HUGH 200REECE, VERNON JACK 205WRIGHT, EARL GENE 205BLAIR, JAMES EUGENE 209PARKS, HUGH LEE 212CAPE, FRANCIS BENJAMIN 219WEBB, JAMES EDWARD 219DORSEY, ROBERT JAMES 220CARTER, WALTER LEE JR 227THEUS, CHARLES REYNOLDS 227ALSTON, CHARLIE WILL 229BLACKMON, WALTER NEWTON 234GUEST, JOEL SCOTT 234HANCOCK, ROBERT FRITZ 234RAY, HENRY FURMAN 234RAY, HOWARD ELLIS 234VAUGHN, ROBERT JUNE 234BROOKINS, WILLIE LEE JR 240TROUP, EARL CALLOWAY 243DAVIS, TOMMY WAYNE SR 244ENTREKIN, JOSEPH RAY 251FREEMAN, ANTHONY JOSEPH 255SAWLEY, ERNEST MILTON 255WILLIAMS, JESSE MELVIN 255SHURLING, ROBERT EDSEL 256HEDDEN, EDWARD (NMN) JR 259SEALE, HOWARD (NMN) 259ATKINS, WASHINGTON EUGENE 260PRITCHETT, HOMER LEE 260LINDWALL, RICHARD LEVERN 262JOHNSON, CHARLES EDWARD JR 274SELLERS, JESSIE THOMAS 283ADAMS, KENNETH LYNWOOD 288BELMAN, JAMES DAVID 288CUTLER, THORNTON WARREN 288KANES, PETE THOMAS 288MCMAHAN, JULIAN JOHNNY LEE 289DEFOOR, ALBERT EDWARD 291BUSBEE, CLEMENT JAMES 298PACE, EARL PALMER 298GRACE, PIERCE ARNOLD 302SONGER, REUBEN FREDERICK 304WEATHERS, ROBERT LEWIS 304HASTINGS, HAROLD THOMAS 305INMAN, WILLIAM HENRY JR 305CAUSBY, FAIRELL C. [NMN] JR 306JONES, JAMES ELWOOD 307HOWARD, ROY EDWARD 309ARNOLD, EARL GRADY 314WALL, JOHN CHARLES 314RUTLEDGE, ERNEST KENNETH 316RAPPE, EMMET LEO 321GILSTRAP, WALTER EUGENE 323WHISENANT, JOHN CLARENCE 323HANNAFORD, GEORGE LEONARD 326

June 2016 / 31

ROCKETT, CHARLES WRIGHT JR 330SHARPE, LITTLETON (NMN) 330GILSTRAP, BILLY [NMN] 333HUNTER, LEONARD NATHEN 337BURGESS, PAUL PERRY 349BRICKLE, JESSE HAROLD 353STEED, CHARLES EARL 353THEUS, CLARENCE BENTLEY 359JOHNSON, JAMES NEWELL 367CONE, KING SOLOMON 369HILL, JIMMY LUTHER 382TOMLINSON, RUSSELL WINDELL 390HOLLIDAY, TERRY GENE 399BENSON, HOWARD THADDEUS 421BUSH, CARL JACKSON 421GARNER, CHARLIE DOUGLAS JR 421HEWATT, WILLIAM JIMMY 421LEE, HERMAN OSCAR 421LEE, JAMES ALFRED 421NASH, HUBERT THOMAS 421READ, MICHAEL BROOKS 421WALKER, LARRY GENE 421COLE, CHARLES CLINTON 423COLE, CLAUDE BILLY 423SMITH, ROGER ALLEN 424TOMLINSON, RUSSELL WINDELL 430RICE, ROBERT EUGENE 434SMITH, JAMES CLIFFORD JR 440OGLESBY, WILSON ALLEN 443STALEY, THOMAS HENRY 447NEWSOME, PAUL EUGENE 452BRANTON, JAMES KENNETH 455WINGO, W. C. 466CORLEY, JAMES MARLON 480INFINGER, TONY DELANE 480MCKINNEY, HERBERT CARTER 480TURNER, JERRY DAVIS 480CANTRELL, JAMES NEWMAN 484DOVE, DONALD EDWARD 484HAMILTON, ALLEN JACKSON 484HUNDT, FRANK JOHN 484KIRKPATRICK, JOSEPH IRA 484RHYMES, JAMES HAYWOOD SR 484WILLIAMS, MARVIN EUGENE 484WILLIAMS, RONALD MURL 484DANIEL, THOMAS EDWARD 486JOHN, FRANKLYN HAROLD 486ELDER, JAMES BRYANT 492TAYLOR, JERRY HOUSTON 513STONECIPHER, JOSEPH OSCAR 523CARLAN, DONALD JERRY 534RIDINGS, CLAUDE KENT 534RUSS, JASPER QUINCEY JR 536ELLIS, DENNIS CHRISTOPHER 537SAWYER, JIMMY MYRON 542LUMSDEN, JAMES EDWARD 543MARCUM, DARRELL WILLARD 543VARDAMAN, JOHN IRA III 543EACHUS, CLIFFORD ELLIS 579MOSS, DAVID ROBERT 579

POWELL, WILLIS LAVERNE 579COGGIN, FRANK EDWARD 590JONES, WEEMS DONALD 590BROOKS, RICHARD LEONARD 591BULLOCK, EARL EMERSON 591WHATLEY, MARVIN WALTER 591SNOW, JOHN WILLIAM SR. 597MCALPIN, ALONZO JOHNNIE 604MCDONALD, JOHN WILLIS 604EDWARDS, JOHN MAXWELL 622MCLAUGHLIN, WILLIAM JAMES 639HARPER, PHILIP WYATT 640LIDDELL, MOSES FRANK 640FARR, ROBERT THOMAS 644MCFADDEN, RICHARD BENJAMIN 663PARSON, HUSTON DUNCAN 664PEEPLES, SAMUEL HARLAN 664WALDEN, RAYMOND EDSEL 691HERNDON, RICHARD EARL 693WILLIAMS, BOBBY EUGENE 699MEEKS, ROBERT CORNELIUS 703MERCIER, RALPH (NMN) 703DAVIS, PHILLIP LEE 708BAKER, CHARLES ANDREW 709BUSBY, HARRY EDWARD 709MEREDITH, BENJAMIN THOMAS 709KARAMICHAEL, CHRIS COSTA 710NIVER, ALDON REX 710

Name Lodge No. Name Lodge No. Name Lodge No.MUNDT, SIDNEY HERMAN 711SABODA, RICHARD (NMN) 711CUNNINGHAM, WILLIE EARL 716TAYLOR, CLIFTON WOODROW 716GAHAN, DUDLEY CLAIBOURNE 717BUGG, RONNIE ALLEN 718OWENS, FRANKLIN DELANO 718SIDENER, CHARLES FRANKLIN 718LANGMEAD, ROBERT FRANCIS 719GREENE, JOHNNIE CLYDE 721HAWKINS, HERMAN RANDOLPH 721HUGHES, ROBERT JUNIOR 728FAVOR, SAM W. [I.O.] III 729PRATT, CLARENCE [NMN] 729HAINES, CHARLES LEWIS 734HERRIN, THOMAS JOEL 740WILKES, DAVID BAUM JR. 749EDWARDS, JOHN MAXWELL 751LISTER, ALVIN HUDSON 753DUNCAN, SAMUEL BURNICE 755WALRAVEN, THOMAS WILLIAM 755GROOMS, CLYDE EDWARD 757LEAR, DONALD NEAL 758CANTRELL, JAMES NEWMAN 760HAMILTON, ALLEN JACKSON 760WILSON, CHARLES KENNETH 760STRICKLAND, OWEN CLINTON 762WEBB, JAMES EDWARD 763

$500 OR MORE

Mt. Airy Lodge No. 141Masters Lodge No. 295Statham Lodge No. 634Emerson Lodge No. 738Tiftarea Lodge No. 745Sixth District ConventionTwelfth District Convention

$1000 OR MORE

Robert Baxter EstateWeston L. Lipscomb TrustJoshua O. MorrisGeorge D. Scruggs EstateWilliam J. Woods Estate

ENDOWMENT FUND CONTRIBUTIONS

April 5, 2016 to June 20, 2016

32 / June 2016

FORM FOR CHANGING ADDRESS FOR MESSENGER

The Grand Lodge of Georgia, Free and Accepted MasonsMasonic Messenger811 Mulberry StreetMacon, Georgia 31201-6779

NON-PROFIT ORG.U. S. POSTAGE

PAIDMACON, GA

PERMIT NO. 477

Name in full _________________________________________ Lodge Name and Number ___________________

If you have moved, PLEASE RETURN YOUR ADDRESS LABEL ABOVE TO THE GRAND LODGE OF GEORGIAalong with your new address.

New Address:___________________________________________ _________________________ ___________(Street or P. O. Box) (City) (Zip Code)

During a recent meeting of the DDGM’s RWB JoeWatson, Grand Secretary, discussed the status of the Ma-sonic Car Tag Program. If the Grand Lodge Office does notreceived enough applications by September 15, to proceedwith this project, the Grand Lodge Office will have to cancelthe program with the State and return all monies receivedtodate. We will lose this opportunity forever.

We have good information that another Masonic body,Prince Hall Masons, are waiting in line to establish a StateMasonic Tag program, and should we fail, they will moveforward.

This means that a Masonic tag will be seen on the streetsand highways of Georgia, and we will not have the oppor-tunity to own one. Their proposed tag has a likeness ofPrince Hall, the founder of the organization, on the tag.

Masonic Car Tag Program

Contact your DDGM for a Request Form or go to theGrand Lodge web page. (www.glofga.org)

Our Design:

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!