Henry Lodge #57 A.F. & A.M.

eTrestleboard and Calendar

July 2002

From The East

Brethren:

Here At Henry:  An excellent meeting of the Trustees, Officers, Building Committee and Past Masters with the Wor. Master on Saturday, 8 June gave cause to ponder the physical plant of the Lodge as well as the membership.  Two building modifications were discussed and will be computer modeled for further study.  Any long range plan ultimately approved will be in building blocks that can be completed by phase.  It was agreed that the vestibule at the rear of the Lodge needed to be replaced ASAP.

Ritual Work: We have arrived at that point in the year where it is time to begin “moving up a chair" in order to be prepared for the new year.  If you have not been involved in ritual, this is a great time to begin understudy of a part in the Master Mason's second section where small, medium and large parts are available. 

If you have given serious thought to "getting in line", now is the time to let the Master and Warden's know of your desires and to make use of the practice sessions, Stated meetings and degrees to prepare yourself for that new job.

At the moment Henry Lodge is blessed with the ability to confer all three degrees, including the lectures, without calling for outside assistance.  We must constantly work to groom additional brothers to fill these requirements while strengthening our ritual capability and providing flexibility to the brethren who fulfill these important positions.  It has not always been this way and we appreciate the assistance received from other Lodges and hope to be able to reciprocate.

Enclosed:  A pocket book edition of The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America.   Brave and honest men, many of whom were Brothers, using the Light of the  Grand Architect composed two documents that changed the course of history. “When in the course of human events it becomes necessary…….” and “We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice……” are the opening passages of those respective papers. 

Just as it has been my duty by oath of office to read to you  from the Constitutions of Masonry, so I believe it is necessary to remind you during the month that celebrates our Nation’s birth, to reread  at a minimum, the blueprint of the foundation of this great Nation.  Revisit it with your wife, children and grandchildren.  Above all, don’t be afraid to defend it.

Farewell and Godspeed:  Brother Vinnie Casini returned to Fairfax in mid June to gather his family and return to Miami where he now operates a successful business.  His testimony in Lodge on the 18th  while saying goodbye to the brethren previous to the F/C degree was a touching example of what Masonry is about. 

Henry Lodge Masonic Youth:  On a glorious Sunday afternoon on the 9th of June, twenty representatives of the Rainbow,  their Advisory Council, DeMolay and the Lodge enjoyed a picnic and Cannons ballgame at the Prince William County Park.  I did not know that our Rainbow was so conversant with RBI’s, the strike zone, ERA’s and the like.

Marine Corps Evening Parade:  Thirty three brave souls defied the elements on Flag Day to witness the Evening Parade at the Washington D.C. Marine Corps Barracks.  The music of Sousa by the “Presidents Own” Marine Band and the Drum and Bugle Corps coupled with the precise drill and marching formations of the men and women of the Post moved our hearts to stir with joy and swell with pride.  Even met a Lance Corporal who is a brother.

Future Dates of Note:  Although listed in the Long Range Plan, please make special note of the Lodge Picnic/Open House on Saturday at Henry Lodge on  3 August and the Grand Master’s Official Visit to Districts 2,3 & 4 in Front Royal on Friday the 23rd of August at 6:00 PM.  Brethren, I need your support for both of these events.  Tickets for the G/M’s visit are available through the Secretary.  I would suggest that we carpool to Front Royal and will be able to take a maximum or three with me.

Honors:

Brethren:  One night, thirty four years ago (no it was not dark and stormy), the task before me was to prepare a written account of the performance of one of my workers.  In fact, the job was exceedingly easy since his routine accomplishments could have served as the guide for all in the Department.  The opening passage was as follows:  ‘Once, perhaps twice, in a lifetime a person is blessed to work with a man whose accomplishments are continually outstanding, whose word is good as gold and one who sets an admirable moral example for others to follow.  If he should also be a friend you are doubly blessed.’  As it happened, that friend and employee was also a Brother.

Now let us return to the present.  Having become active in our fraternity, it quickly became apparent that the Brothers with whom I have been fortunate to associate are most typical of the description above and I have certainly been doubly blessed.

Thus far during the year the Trestleboard has lifted the names of several Brothers who, among the faithful and outstanding, have risen to the top of even this august group.  To that list are appended the names of  Brother Edwin Richard Carpenter, Jr., Past Master of Henry Lodge whose many Masonic accomplishments were recently crowned with an exceptional year as Right Eminent Grand Commander Knights Templar of Virginia and Brother Harry Edward Sanders, Jr., Senior Warden of Henry Lodge and the immediate Past President of Old Dominion Chapter No. 364, National Sojourners.

Wor. Bro. Ed, you have carried the Light of Masonry down shadowy lanes and along strange streams.  You have been a source of encouragement and inspiration to many but in particular to this Master.  On behalf of Henry Lodge :- Thanks and well done thou good and faithful servant. 

At this time it should be noted that as our paths have crossed, Ed’s lady, Sharon, was frequently at his side.  Sharon, thanks for sharing him.  Now that you have him back, we would just like to borrow him on Tuesdays.

Bro. Harry, in your relatively short time as a Mason, you have distinguished yourself as one who, if he accepts a task, will return his talents ten fold.  Of equal importance is the fact that you have inspired those around you to match your zeal for the Craft.  Every Master and Lodge should be so blessed. 

Lynn, we have witnessed your presence on so many occasions in support of Harry.  You  have experienced something of what next year will be like but should probably think of a month with more than five Tuesdays!

Fraternally,

Ralph W. Smith, Jr.

W:.M:.