On June 1st and 2nd, 14 members and spouses joined William Elkins Lodge near Philadelphia for their ladies' night. They provided a fine dinner and entertainment, continuing a nearly century-old tradition of shared visitation with our lodge. We look forward to their visit with us for our Ladies' Night on October 19th, so please reserve that date for an enjoyable dinner and world-class entertainment.

At our stated communication on June 13th, we successfully filled the three vacancies on the long-dormant Committee on Scholarships and Educational Activities. Congratulations to Worshipful James Stone, Worshipful Brent Campbell, and Brother Jerry Owen, who will now join the Wardens, the Treasurer, and myself in crafting guidelines for the growth and distribution of funds intended to help our youth.

The blood drive on June 15th attracted about 20 donors, some of whom were deferred for a variety of reasons including increasingly stringent eligibility rules imposed by the National Institutes of Health. I appreciate every donor who gave, or attempted to do so. However, the number of successful donations does not justify the effort and expense dedicated to this event by INOVA Blood Services and the many members of our Lodge and others. Special thanks are due to Worshipful Ronald Heald, who promoted this event heroically and spent the entire morning at the Memorial, and to Worshipful Robert Mertz, who dedicated his morning in addition to hours of preparation. I have learned valuable lessons from this effort, and obtained significant intelligence that will enable us to support the Masonic Blood Bank in the future! First, it is not possible to choose a date that will not conflict with the schedules of many eligible donors. Second, many Masons donate regularly at established collection centers at their convenience. Therefore, I will accompany and/or encourage small groups of Masons, family, and friends to donate at established centers, enjoying fellowship while donating, and transferring the effort and expense of organizing to the professionals!

At our stated communication on July 11th we will receive Sean O'Neill, District Education Officer, who will deliver an unusual presentation about our founding fathers and their Masonic heritage. Go to a parade, a picnic, and fireworks for visual stimulation on July 4th, but come to Lodge a week later for intellectual sustenance!

Our stated communication on July 25th will see the presentation of the Grand Lodge Community Builder Award. Rather than discuss the recipient here, I will hold that knowledge in abeyance that your interest might be peaked. We will also recognize July Masonic Birthdays this night.

I regret to inform you that our Senior Warden, Jorge Fernandez, cannot meet the obligations of his office due to personal considerations, and has therefore resigned. Accordingly, I declare a vacancy in the office and announce a special election to be held at our stated communication on July 25th. This is a most unfortunate development, as Jorge has served with distinction and anticipated his year as Master with delight. Please pray with me for Jorge, that the Grand Architect of the Universe shall give him strength as he meets the challenges that confront him.

We need to finalize plans to visit Liberty Lodge in Beverly, Massachusetts, from Friday, August 2nd to Sunday, August 4th. They have a great weekend planned for us, including a picnic on Friday evening and a Master Mason degree on Saturday. Our ladies will tour historic sites and shop in Boston during the tiled lodge, and we will all enjoy theatre that night. Please contact me right away so you don't miss this quadrennial Masonic visitation.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Worshipful Master

• August 2 (Fri) - DEPART FOR VISIT TO LIBERTY LODGE: Beverly, Massachusetts
• August 4 (Sun) - DEPART FOR REID JAMES SIMMONS SCHOOL: Fork Union Academy

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.

As noted in the most recent edition of the Virginia Masonic Herald, The Grand Lodge of Virginia recently initiated a program of fraternal cooperation with the Grand Lodge of Russia. This program will strengthen and support a growing need for Masonic literature, education and leadership training in Russia. The two part program includes a Masonic library expansion program for the Grand Lodge of Russia, and a Masonic education and leadership support program for selected Russian Masters and Wardens to attend the Reid James Simmons School of Masonic Leadership. Both initiatives are being undertaken to provide for continuation and further development of Masonic fraternal relations that began in 1996 when the Grand Lodge of Virginia extended recognition to the Grand Lodge of Russia (GLR).

The first shipment of books to the GLR library began its journey on June 4th; however, due to shipment documentation regulations in Russia, it is tortuously making its way through Russian customs! Consisting of twelve books and a number of pamphlets, this consignment includes the marvelous book "George Washington: The Character and Influence of One Man," donated by Worshipful Dan Clark.

The book donation and library improvement project operates from the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, VA. Worshipful George Seghers, Executive Secretary of the Memorial, made a limited amount of space available for collecting and preparing book donations for shipment. Brethren from Alexandria-Washington No. 22 assist in collecting and shipping the books.

Brethren and friends are welcome to contribute books to this project. Include notes and comments along with books that have a particular Masonic, personal, or historical significance, and which might be of interest to the Russian Grand Archivist. Mail or deliver the items to:

George Washington's bodyguard carried this flag during the Revolutionary War. It is probably the best example of the uniform worn by that elite group of solders. The flag is the property of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, and is currently displayed in the Museum in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Photography by Brother Arthur W. Pierson.

On June 20th, 1775, Washington received his commission from the president of the Continental Congress. The following day was fixed upon for his departure for the army. He reviewed previously, at the request of their officers, several militia companies of horse and foot. Every one was anxious to see the new commander, and rarely has the public beau ideal of a commander been so fully answered. He was now in the vigor of his days, forty-three years of age, stately in person, noble in his demeanor, calm and dignified in his deportment; as he sat on his horse, with manly grace, his military presence delighted every eye, and wherever he went the air rang with acclamations....

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government....