At our second stated meeting last month, the Lodge unanimously elected Brother James M. Stevenson to serve as Senior Warden for the rest of this Masonic year. Jim assumes this office well qualified, having served the Lodge previously as a Steward, Deacon, and Warden. He presently manages our website, and is an excellent ritualist. We congratulate Jim as he rejoins the officers' line, with confidence that he will labor with distinction and make many more contributions to our fraternity.
Also at the meeting on July 25th, we presented the Community Builder's Award to the Franconia Neighborhood Patrol Unit of the Fairfax County Police Department. This small bicycle unit brings policing to the people as members of the communities they patrol. Each year they host a cycling event, and this year decided to raise funds to support Fairfax Hospital's Regional Trauma Center - the only such facility serving northern Virginia and the one which responded to the crisis at the Pentagon last September 11th. They have dedicated this year a "Ride to Remember" honoring the victims and the heroes of that day and its aftermath. Over 200 cyclists will pedal 250 miles over four days from the World Trade Center site to the Pentagon, culminating with a memorial and rededication ceremony on the morning of the attack's first anniversary. As a mobilized Reservist, I am priviliged to participate in this event with my son. Please contact me if you are interested in sponsoring us to benefit the Trauma Center.
By the time some of you read this, a contingent of brothers and ladies will already be on its way to visit Liberty Lodge in Beverly, Massachusetts. They will host us as we spend two days and nights enjoying New England Masonic brotherhood: theater, dining, sightseeing, a picnic, a Master Mason degree, and of course a little shopping! Read the Historical Anecdote this month to learn more about this perennial tradition.
The Reed James Simmons School of Masonic Leadership begins as we return from our trip to Massachusetts on Sunday, August 4th. All officers and prospective officers are strongly encouraged to attend all or part of this four-day opportunity to learn both ritual and Lodge administration.
Mr. Jim Slicer will be our guest speaker at the first stated communication in August. Jim is a lifelong presidential history enthusiast who will discuss our Masonic Presidents. Take note of the centerfold in this Bulletin to learn their Masonic affiliation. The Lodge will be called to Refreshment for his address, so guests are welcome.
Our second stated communication for August will be a joint communication with Archer Bailey Gay Lodge, whose Master Mark Arbeen is also one of our own. Brother Jim Rees, Director of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, will address the brethren concerning the multi-million dollar campaign designed to improve the facilities at Washington's estate, and to educate the visiting public about the exciting life and times of our Charter Master and first President, George Washington.
We have another active month of degree work, including the courtesy conferral of the Master Mason Degree on a Fellowcraft who, like me, was mobilized to active duty with the Air Force last year. Coincidentally, we are assigned to the same agency and hold the same rank, so it is a special treat for me to raise him to the sublime degree of Master Mason.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Worshipful Master
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 8/2/2002 - Sun 8/4/2002 | VISIT LIBERTY LODGE: Beverly, Massachusetts |
|
| Sun 8/4/2002 - Wed 8/7/2002 | REID JAMES SIMMONS ACADEMY OF MASONIC LEADERSHIP: Fork Union Military Academy |
|
| Thu 8/8/2002 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: Refreshments to follow Guest Speaker: Jim Slicer, Presidential Historian |
| Sun 8/11/2002 | 1:00 pm | OFFICERS' LUNCHEON: Army Navy Country Club, Arlington |
| Sun 8/18/2002 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Master Mason Degree |
| Mon 8/19/2002 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Master Mason Degree |
| Wed 8/21/2002 | 7:00 pm | VISITING LODGES: Six lodges from Scotland |
| Thu 8/22/2002 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: Dinner at 7:00 PM Joint communication with Archer Bailey Gay Lodge Brother Jim Rees, Director, Mount Vernon Association Masonic birthday recognition |
| Sat 8/24/2002 | 6:00 pm | SCOTTISH RITE BLUE LODGE VISITATION: Dinner and Program |
| Sun 8/25/2002 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Fellowcraft Degree |
| Mon 8/26/2002 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Fellowcraft Degree |
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.
From August 2nd -4th, Alexandria-Washington Lodge members and wives will visit Liberty Lodge in Beverly, Massachusetts, a trip we make every four years. These visits between our lodges began with Liberty Lodge members and wives visiting Alexandria-Washington Lodge in May 1958 and again in May 1964. Alexandria-Washington members and wives responded by visiting Liberty Lodge in September 1958 and in September 1964. These visits have continued every two years on even years, alternating between Virginia and Massachusetts.
Liberty Lodge's relationship with the George Washington Masonic National Memorial actually began in October, 1852, long before the construction of the temple. In that year, Fredricksburg Lodge No. 4 requested donations toward erecting a monument to George Washington. Liberty Lodge responded and became the first lodge to subscribe to the Memorial building fund.
Then in 1889, Liberty Lodge attended the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as President. On February 22nd of the following year, our lodges began joint annual celebrations of George Washington's birthday. Alexandria-Washington member Charles H. Callahan, who became Grand Master of Masons in Virginia in 1924, visited Liberty Lodge in 1891. Frequent visits by individual members continued thereafter. The custom developed such that Liberty Lodge now sends a representative to our Washington birthday celebration in odd years, and we send a representative to Liberty Lodge's celebration in even years. Worshipful George Seghers represented us in Massachusetts this year.
In 1891, two English sea captains docked in Boston and visited Liberty Lodge. That led, in June 1893, to Liberty Lodge sending formal congratulations to Constitution Lodge No. 294, Beverly, England, for the celebration of their 100th anniversary. Constitution Lodge then began celebrating George Washington's birthday annually in 1894. All three lodges have also since then presented noteworthy gifts to each other and had honorary members in the other two lodges. In May 1972, Liberty Lodge and Alexandria-Washington Lodge first visited Constitution Lodge together. The visits with Constitution Lodge have continued every three years, alternating between the United States and England. A contingent from Alexandria-Washington Lodge and Liberty Lodge visited Constitution Lodge in 2001. Right Worshipful Jack Canard leads a committee to prepare for Constitution Lodge's visit to us in 2004.