Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22

February 2002

Master's Message

Look at the plan this month! Our first stated communication coincides with Valentine's Day, so I have planned special music for our ladies while we hear from our Archivist, Mark Underwood, about items from our collection that pertain to the women in Washington's life! After the meeting we will all enjoy dinner together. At our second stated communication on the 23rd, we will receive the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, Most Worshipful Clifford Alan Parker. After dinner we will be treated to a colloquy by "George Washington" himself!.

I am pleased to report that, in addition to receiving District Deputy Grand Master, Sheldon B. Richman, your Lodge last month initiated one new brother, passed another, and raised two new Master Masons. Welcome brother Richard Shrout and brother Robert Smith to our fellowship at your earliest opportunity. I wish to recognize the contributions of brother W.B. Jim Stevenson, who in January presided over the raising of these two new Master Masons whose petitions he had signed. Jim knows our ritual very well and has taken an active part in Degree work for several years. He also manages our internet website at aw22.org. - a first rate production which sets a high standard for others. You will always see this Trestleboard posted to our website before it arrives in your mailbox.

You received this Trestleboard a few days into the month, but well before any scheduled activities for February. This represents an improvement over January's belated mailing, for which I am responsible. The Trestleboard will be mailed each month with first class postage, at no additional cost to the Lodge, because you deserve to receive it as soon as possible. The software upon which this product is formatted requires a familiarity that I did not possess until forced to learn it, but I have now ascended an impressive slope on the learning curve!

Is not our path through life often thus, smooth until we are challenged to perform outside our comfort zone. As your Master, I challenge you to stretch your cable tow. Enjoy the fellowship of our "communications" more frequently, learn a degree part you've never done before, ask a committee chairman how you can help, accompany your officers on a visit to a neighboring lodge, perhaps even seek an office. Many brothers work together for an event to be successful. Often, though, just come to lodge and reap the rewards of your brothers' effort. Our activities are successful, in part, because many brothers simply come for the brotherhood, the sustenance, even the intellectual stimulation. Your time to be responsible for the growth and success of our "sacred band of brothers" may be past - or it my be yet to come!

In perusing this month's Trestleboard, you will notice a few changes. Some of them may appeal to you and some may not, but I am guided by a desire to improve upon the great work accomplished by all the Masters who have served before me. As are we, the Trestleboard is a rough ashlar, always ready for improvement. Communicate to me your impression of these changes, and if necessary - in a most friendly manner - remind me of my error! I have added several Brothers who perform important functions, standardized the font size in most sections, and added additional numbers for officers, making the Trestleboard a more handy reference tool for daily use.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Worshipful Master

ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON LODGE No. 22 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Post Office Box 4330 Alexandria, Virginia 22303-0330 Memorial Phone: (703) 683-2007 - - Lodge Phone: (703) 299-6122

February 2002 - TRESTLEBOARD

Day	Time	Activity
Sun 2/10/02	7:00 pm	LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Master Mason Degree
Mon 2/11/02	7:00 pm	CALLED COMMUNICATION: Master Mason Degree
Tue 2/12/02	7:30 pm	ARCHIVES COMMITTEE MEETING
Thu 2/14/02	7:30 pm 8:30 pm	STATED COMMUNICATION: Mark Underwood, Lodge Archivist Special musical entertainment for our ladies Valentine's Day Dinner for Masons and their ladies
Sun 2/17/02	7:00 pm	LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Master Mason Degree
Mon 2/18/02	7:00 pm	CALLED COMMUNICATION: Master Mason Degree
Sat 2/23/02	8:00 am 9:30 am 4:00 pm 6:00 pm	GEORGE WASHINGTON BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION WREATH LAYING AT MOUNT VERNON RECEPTION AT COLLINGWOOD LIBRARY AND MUSEUM STATED COMMUNICATION: Official Visit of the Grand Master Most Worshipful Clifford Alan Parker RECEPTION BANQUET: Reservation required - $10 per PERSON professional entertainment to follow
Sun 2/24/02	7:00 pm	LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Fellowcraft Degree
Mon 2/25/02	7:00 pm	CALLED COMMUNICATION: Fellowcraft Degree
Tue 2/26/02	7:00 pm	DISTRICT RITUAL SCHOOL: Henry Knox Field Lodge
Thu 2/28/02	7:30 pm	STATED COMMUNICATION: Guest Speaker To Be Announced

STATED COMMUNICATIONS - The stated communications of this Lodge shall be held at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (GWMNM), Alexandria, Virginia on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, except on the fourth Thursday of November and December, on December 27th (the anniversary of Saint John the Evangelist) for installation of officers, at 7:30 pm, and at 4:00 pm on the day observed by governmental regulations or the GWMNM in celebration of George Washington's birthday. When such dates fall on a Sunday, the stated communication shall be held on the Saturday before or the Monday following.

CALLED COMMUNICATIONS - Usually on Mondays as announced herein.

YOUTH MEETINGS AT GWMNM - Alexandria-Washington Chapter, International Order of DeMolay, meets the first and third Sundays at 2 pm in the North Lodge Room. Bethel No. 22, International Order Jobs Daughters, meets the first and third Sundays at 6 pm in the North Lodge Room.

LODGE HISTORICAL NOTES AND ANECDOTES

DURING THE CIVIL WAR

The dark days of the Civil War proved the most trying period in the history of Alexandria-Washington Lodge. Many of its members were called to the front in active service and those who remained were embarrassed by military restrictions. But in this, as in every other span of its life, a vigilant and fearless guardian was present.

Brother William H. Lambert, elected Master in 1860, served to June 24, 1866. To this worthy man and zealous Mason, probably more than to any other member, is due the credit and the gratitude of Washington Lodge for preserving intact, through that trying time, not only the inestimable treasures of the Lodge but the Charter itself, that priceless parchment which contains the name of Washington as Master.

The occupation of Alexandria by the Union soldiers in 1861 first appeared to be a serious menace to the safety of these valuable possessions. Demands were made on Brother Lambert for admittance to the Temple and, when this privilege was denied, violence was threatened to both his person and the institution. Brother Lambert appealed to the commandant or provost marshal who though not a Mason, was what every Mason should be, a gentleman, and he promptly placed a guard at the door and saved the cherished mementoes and Charter. Indeed some of the more vindictive spirits had already gained admittance to the Loge and were committing acts of vandalism when the guard arrived. They were quickly subdued, however, and driven from the premises. Afterwards, during the whole four years of fratricidal struggle, not a picture was moved from the walls or a hand raised, except in defense by the Union troops who occupied the city.

From May 1861, to May 1865, the Lodge assembled but twice and then only to perform the last tribute of respect over the remains of two of its oldest members.

From the Master's chair to District Deputy, Brother Lambert advanced through the several stations, and, in 1873, was elected to the exalted position of Grand Master of Virginia. Brother Lambert was the first member of Alexandria-Washington Lodge to hold office in the Grand Lodge of Virginia.

Compiled from Washington, the Man and the Mason by M.W. Charles H. Callahan, pages 308-309, and The Lodge of Washington by Wor. F. L. Brockett, page 28.
Lucien Guthrie, Lodge Education Officer