My Brethren:
October provides an opportunity for fraternal exchange and interaction, as do few other months. We will meet at our Stated Communications, a Master Mason degree, a Fellowcraft degree (for two of our Brethren), a Table Lodge, as well as celebrating Ladies Night. Also, please note that the Trustees and Archives Committees both meet this month.
At our first Stated Communication on October 11, we will enjoy a Table Lodge in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial dining room, and we will be joined by some of our visiting Brethren from Pennsylvania. At this meeting, we will confer our Community Builder Award to one of Alexandria's outstanding citizens.
On Saturday, October 13, we will enjoy our annual Ladies Night Celebration. We have made special arrangements for Brethren and their Ladies to stay at the Embassy Suites on Diagonal Road. Room rates are exactly the same as they have been in past years at other facilities, and a Hospitality Suite will open for everyone at 11:00 a.m. Reservations are available for both Friday, October 10, and Saturday, October 11, so please feel free to come out and enjoy the entire weekend. On Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m., we will travel to Cedar Knoll Restaurant just off the George Washington Parkway and enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening with our Brethren and Ladies, after which we will return to the Embassy Suites and enjoy fraternal exchange in the Hospitality Suite. Ladies' tickets are no charge and Brethren are requested to make a donation of $20 each. Tickets are available from your Officers, and please feel free to contact any of them with questions.
At our second Stated Communication, we will enjoy Past Masters Night in the Lodge. This is always enjoyable and it is a pleasure to see many of our Past Masters occupying the chairs again. Dinner will be served for the Past Masters at 6:30 p.m., and will be available for everyone-as always-immediately after the meeting.
We are also preparing for our Grand Lodge Annual Communication in Richmond at the Hyatt as in past years. We need to confirm those Brethren who are planning to attend and for which days, so please let me know as soon as possible as the available rooms are filling quickly for this wonderful event.
Enjoy your October, and we look forward to seeing you in Lodge.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Brent Nial Campbell
Worshipful Master
UPCOMING EVENTS:
TRANSPORTATION: Contact Wor. Terry Gigure at (703) 360-6177 or (703) 607-4893, whenever you need a ride to Lodge events. We will try to assist you in your transportation needs.
BLOOD: Contact our Chairman, Brother Keith Throckmorton (703) 670-3147 whenever you or someone you encourage gives blood or platelets. What better charity than to give the gift that can save lives.
SICK: Contact our Chairman, Wor. Bro. Frank R. Dunaway (703) 548-0318 regarding any sick and distressed brethren.
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 10/1/01 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Degree and ritual practice |
| Tue 10/2/01 | 11:00 am | OFFICIAL VISIT TO: Skidmore Daylight Lodge No. 237 |
| Tue 10/2/01 | 7:00 pm | TRUSTEES MEETING: Lodge Conference Room |
| Mon 10/8/01 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Degree and ritual practice |
| Thu 10/11/01 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: Table Lodge at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Community Builder's Award |
| Sat 10/13/01 | 11:00 am 6:30 pm 9:30 pm |
ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON LODGE'S LADIES NIGHT Hospitality suite open at Embassy Suites, Diagonal Rd. Dinner at Cedar Knoll restaurant Hospitality Suite open at Embassy Suites |
| Mon 10/15/01 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Fellowcraft Degree |
| Mon 10/22/01 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Master Mason Degree |
| Tue 10/23/01 | 7:00 pm | DISTRICT 1A RITUAL SCHOOL: Hosted by John Blair Lodge No. 187 |
| Thu 10/25/01 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: Past Masters night |
| Fri 10/26/01 | 7:00 pm | MASTERS AND WARDENS ASSOCIATION MEETING |
| Sat 10/27/01 | 11:00 am | VISITING LODGE: Monitor Lodge No. 197 |
| Mon 10/29/01 | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Cancelled | |
| Mon 10/29/01 | 7:00 pm | ARCHIVES COMMITTEE MEETING: Cancelled |
STATED COMMUNICATIONS - held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month except: Thanksgiving; the observance of George Washington's Birthday; and the fourth, Thursday of December, which will be held on Saint John's Day, December 27 for the Installation of Officers.
CALLED COMMUNICATIONS - each Monday of each month unless otherwise noted in the trestleboard.
CATECHISM INSTRUCTION - Conducted each Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. in the Lodge Room when confirmed by the Catechism Coaches. Contact the Junior Deacon for details.
LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL - Conducted each Monday evening at 7:00 pm except Mondays during which Called Communications take place unless otherwise noted in the Trestleboard.
YOUTH MEETINGS AT GWMNM - Alexandria-Washington Chapter, Order of DeMolay meets the first and third Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the North Lodge Room; Bethel No. 22. I.O.J.D. meets the first and third Sundays at 6:00 p.m in the North Lodge Room.
Washington's second inauguration took place in the Senate Chamber in Philadelphia on the 4th of March, 1793, and on the 18th of September following he laid the corner-stone of the U. S. Capitol in the city that bears his name. The Masonic ceremonies on this occasion were arranged by and under the supervision of the Grand Lodge of Maryland. The stone, or, to be more exact, the plate, was laid by His Excellency, General Washington; and through the courtesy of the acting Grand Master of Maryland, Alexandria Lodge No. 22 held the post of honor in the procession and acted as personal escort to the President. Lodge No. 9 of Maryland and Lodge No. 15 of the City of Washington also participated in the ceremonies. The following description is an effort to capture some of the dignity and grandeur of the ceremony.
The procession marched two abreast, in the greatest solemn dignity, with music playing, drums beating, colors flying, and spectators rejoicing, from the President's Square to the Capitol, in the city of Washington. The Grand Marshal ordered a halt, and directed each file in the procession to incline two steps, one to the right and one to the left, and face each other, forming a hollow oblong square.
Through this oblong square the Grand Sword-Bearer led, followed by the Grand Master of Maryland on the left, the President of the U. S. in the center, and the Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 22 (Dr. Elisha Dick) on the right. They were followed by all the other orders that composed the procession. The procession advanced from the President's square to the southeast corner of the Capitol, and the artillery filed off to a destined ground to display their maneuvers and discharge their cannon.
The artillery discharged a volley. The plate was then delivered to the President, who, attended by the Grand Master, and three Most Worshipful Masters, descended to the cavazion trench and deposited the plate, and laid it on the corner-stone of the Capitol, on which were deposited corn, wine and oil. The whole congregation joined in reverential prayer, which was succeeded by Masonic chanting honors, and a volley from the artillery.
The President, and his attendant brethren, ascended from the cavazion to the east of the corner-stone, and there the acting Grand Master of Maryland, elevated on a triple rostrum, delivered an oration fitting the occasion, which was received with brotherly love and commendation. At intervals during the delivery of the oration the artillery discharged several volleys. The ceremony ended in prayer, Masonic chanting honors, and a 15-volley from the artillery.
Compiled from Washington, the Man and the Mason by MW Charles H. Callahan, pages 290-293.