Early last month a group of brothers and wives went to Massachusetts for our visit with Liberty Lodge. Those who traveled by automobile faced a long and arduous path, one beset by congestion, even accidents - an instance has occurred! Nevertheless, all arrived safely and enjoyed the hospitality of the Brethren and families of Liberty Lodge. One of the highlights of our visit was the conferral of the Master Mason Degree - the first time many of us have seen it performed by a Massachusetts Lodge.

Our speakers in August were excellent, and I thank our own Brother Mark Arbeen, Worshipful Master of Archer Bailey Gay Lodge, and his officers and members, for joining us in joint communication on August 22nd, and for their support throughout the year. We were also privileged to witness the Master Mason degree performed by Scottish Masons in our Lodge room on August 21st. Our guests presented gifts and honored our Senior Warden, W.B. Jim Stevenson, with an honorary membership to celebrate his Scottish heritage. Make an effort to join the lodges that visit us from the world over, as it is a special opportunity to witness ritual and make friends from many places.

On August 19th we raised Brother James Gregory Eanes as a courtesy to Crewe Lodge, having earlier passed him to the Degree of Fellowcraft. This was a special privilege, as Brother Eanes and I are both Air Force Reserve Majors recalled to active duty in the aftermath of September 11th, 2001. We were reminded of our present circumstances when we postponed this degree from June to July to August due to Brother Eanes military duties, then again when I left before closing on the night of his raising for mine.

As we approach the first anniversary of the terrorist attack on our country, we mourn the thousands of lives lost but never forgotten. At the same time, we celebrate the heroism and sacrifice of the countless police, fire, and rescue personnel who responded. Let those who lived and died so nobly that day inspire us to live so to be worthy of their memory. On September 8th, I will embark on a 250 mile "Ride to Remember" by bicycle from New York City to the Pentagon. We awarded the Grand Lodge Community Builder Award in July to the Fairfax County Police unit responsible for organizing this event, the purpose of which is to raise funds for the trauma unit that saved lives at the Pentagon last September. If you would like to contribute to this effort, make your check payable to the INOVA Fairfax Health Foundation and bring it to Lodge or mail it to the Secretary.

We have an active month planned for September, including a visit from MW James Dean Cole on the 12th, who will accompany our own Worshipful Mike Bible for a presentation on the Masonic Home of Virginia (see the article on the Home reprinted from the Grand Lodge web site). Their address will lay the groundwork for our visit to the Home for Family Day next month. Don't miss the district picnic at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (changed by JMS on 9/13/02) in Alexandria on the 14th, where we will have great food and the fellowship for the family all day. Contact our Junior Warden, Frank Skwirut, for reservations. Then on the 26th our Wardens will host RW Brother Scearce and RW Brother Quigley. Note also that several Lodges have Wardens' Night planned this month.

Please reserve Saturday evening, October 19th when we celebrate Ladies' Night. Enjoy a catered dinner at the Memorial followed by an organ recital by world class musician Gordon Turk. Tickets are available for $20 from any officer, or by contacting me by phone or e-mail. Invite friends and relatives to enjoy the food and music, and to introduce them to Masonry.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Worshipful Master

• October 12 (Sat) - FAMILY DAY: Masonic Home, Richmond
• October 19 (Sat) - LADIES' NIGHT: George Washington Masonic National Memorial - Organ recital by Gordon Turk
• November 2 (Sat) - JOINT COMMUNICATION: Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4

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.

The Masonic Home of Virginia, located at 4101 Nine Mile Road, Richmond, Virginia, 23223, was established in 1890. The action that led to the founding of the Masonic Home of Virginia brings into the limelight the story of two men, one with a burning desire for action, the other with land, a house and a purse. There is a tradition that following the absorption of the Masonic Academy by the Richmond public school system in 1871, several different committees were appointed by the Grand Lodge between the years 1871 and 1888. These committees were advised to survey the situation as to the need for a Masonic Orphan Asylum for Virginia. When the committees reported back to the Grand Lodge, they stated there was no need for such an institution. As far as can be found, no reasons were given for the negative reports. Dr. George Potts, born in Canterbury, England and a member of Astrea Lodge No. 85, made several eloquent appeals to the committee and to Grand Lodge without success. In December 1889, Captain A. G. Babcock tendered the sum of $5,000 in cash at once and promising further assistance hereafter for the maintenance of the institution if required. Then, on February 18th, 1890, the gift of Brother Babcock, consisting of "44 ½ acres of excellent farming land on Nine Mile Road, with a dwelling of ten rooms in good order, a large barn and stable recently built, and all of the other necessary outhouses" was formally accepted by the Board of Governors. From this humble beginning, our Masonic Home raised 835 children of Virginia Master Masons from 1890 to 1975 and has cared for 947 adults since the adult division began in 1955. We owe a great deal to those who have gone before us for their foresight and desire to make today's Masonic Home of Virginia what it is and promises to be in the future.

Description

Governance

Financial

What is Life Membership in Perpetuity?

Any Virginia Mason may make a one-time payment through his Lodge to the Grand Lodge of Virginia, permanently releasing him from annual dues to the Lodge and releasing his Lodge from annual assessments to the Grand Lodge. Under current rules promulgated by the Grand Lodge of Virginia, the member must make a payment equal to 17 times the annual dues of his Lodge, inclusive of Grand Lodge assessments (presently $19). This amount does not change with the member's age or years of Masonic Service. Alexandria-Washington Lodge's dues are $50, plus the Grand Lodge assessment of $19, totaling $69. Therefore, a member of Alexandria-Washington Lodge must pay $1,173 to become a Life Member in Perpetuity (LMIP).

Why become a Life Member in Perpetuity?

The Grand Lodge benefits from LMIP because it secures an immediate payment equal to 17 years worth of dues and assessments. Grand Lodge invests these funds in an endowment fund which produces principal growth and interest payments that collectively exceed remittances to subordinate Lodges (see below) by a sum greater than that which would have been raised through regular annual assessments. Furthermore, income from LMIP investments should continue indefinitely, while Grand Lodge assessments end upon the death of the member.

The Lodge benefits from every LMIP because it ceases to owe assessments to the Grand Lodge for LMIP members. Instead, the Grand Lodge uses the invested funds to remit to the Lodge annually an amount equal to the Lodge's dues at the time the member became LMIP. Thus the Lodge receives income in perpetuity, long after the member has been raised to the heavenly Grand Lodge. The Lodge could collect and invest these same funds, but would still be obligated to pay assessments to Grand Lodge and collect the minimum required dues, decreasing the benefit to the Lodge and to the member.

Members benefit from LMIP because they no longer pay dues to the Lodge for the rest of their lives. The member could invest and earn interest on the money required to become LMIP in order to fund annual dues, but it would require an after-tax return in excess of 5% to equal current dues. Increasing dues, low interest rates, or poor investment choices would conspire to reduce principal while the requirement to pay annual dues would continue. There are two situations in which a Mason would probably not benefit from LMIP. First, if a Mason will attain 50 years in Masonry within 17 years (the point at which dues are waived), he will not personally benefit from LMIP unless his Lodge's dues are increased to the point where he would pay more to the Lodge in dues during those years than the cost of LMIP. Second, if a Mason is of sufficiently advanced years such that the passage of 17 years would exceed his actuarial life expectancy, or is in ill health, then he may not realize the long term monetary benefits of LMIP.

Life Members in Perpetuity
Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22

At our stated communication on September 12th, I will present my check and application for Life Membership in Perpetuity. Whether I live long enough to enjoy the financial savings promised by the program cannot be known, but I can relish without delay the knowledge that I have contributed to the long-term prosperity of my Lodge and Grand Lodge. Likewise, I urge you to consider becoming a Life Member in Perpetuity, if within the length of your cable tow. DMC