Thank you for the honor of electing me Master of this distinguished and historic Lodge. I am humbled by your trust and confidence and will work to the utmost of my ability to carry out my responsibilities. You also elected a superb slate of officers and key committeemen. Please give them your strongest support. Finally, a heartfelt thanks to the many Brethren who helped me prepare for my year in the East; your wisdom and experience are invaluable.

A copy of my Master Plan for 2005 is enclosed. My theme, "Traditions and Fellowship," is an outgrowth of the Lodge Leadership Meeting held this past August. At that session we discussed how we could improve Lodge attendance and better protect the future of our great Lodge. It was clear that our Brethren value highly the traditions and heritage of the Lodge. The memory of Illustrious Brother George Washington's role in our earliest days as well as our tradition of excellence were often mentioned. We also found a clear consensus that fellowship and Masonic education are highly important aspects of Freemasonry for our members. You will thus see programs organized into those categories. Also, I will work to find more, perhaps informal ways for us to gather during the year, socialize and find time to learn more about each other better and truly enjoy Masonic Fellowship.

As you know, attendance at Lodge has been declining. This trend is very alarming, and reversing it is a top priority! Please help get the word out to your Brothers and encourage them to come back to Lodge. Your officers will do all we can to make the time worthwhile and fun. Especially consider our older members. Offer them a ride, or call Bro. Bob Tidwell (Transportation Committee) and ask him for assistance.

We will start the Masonic Year on the 3rd with the conferral of our first degree on a candidate who will deploy to Afghanistan the following week. Please join us and help your officers give this man a night he will long remember. Our first Stated Communication will be on the 13th when we will open a Lodge of Sorrow and hear Rt. Wor. Walter Down's stimulating talk on Rededication to Masonry.

On Saturday, January 15, the Grand Master will make his official visit to Districts 1A, 1B, and 54. Dinner at the Memorial begins at 6:30pm followed by an open program at 7:30pm (our ladies are welcome). Let's show our support for Most Worshipful John Randall Quinley with a large turnout. Contact Rt. Wor. Frank Dunaway or myself for tickets in advance.

We will receive the official visit of the District Deputy Grand Master for District 1A, our very own Rt. Wor. Frank Dunaway, at our second Stated on the 27th. I know you will all want to come out and show our support and affection for this distinguished Mason.

Once again, thank you for the opportunity to serve our Lodge. I am looking forward to an exciting year working with you and enjoying your company in Lodge.

Sincerely and fraternally,



Jesse T. McMahan
Worshipful Master

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 the fourth Thursdays of November and December and for the additional Stated Communications for the observance of George Washington's birthday, June 24th for Saint John the Baptist Day and December 27th for the installation of officers on Saint John the Evangelist Day.

CALLED COMMUNICATIONS - Usually on Mondays as announced herein.

LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL - Will always occur the Sunday before a Monday Called Communication Degree at 7:00 PM, unless otherwise stated. Additional ritual schools will be announced herein when necessary.

YOUTH MEETINGS AT GWMNM - Alexandria-Washington Chapter, International Order of DeMolay, meets the first and third Sundays at 2:00 pm in the North Lodge Room. Bethel No. 22, International Order Jobs Daughters, meets the first and third Sundays at 6:00 pm in the North Lodge Room.