Thanks for attending last months events. Please make note of this months calendar. Thanks to everyone who took part in our events so far this year. I appreciate everyone who has attended any of our events. Whether it is degrees, stated communications, fraternal visits, or social events, each event counts. If you have not come to something this year, please do. Your brethren would like to see you, share a meal, and catch up on old times. I know that in our busy times we sometimes catch up with friends via email or cell phone but my brothers there is nothing as real as sharing a meal and looking and old friend in the face. This principle also applies to making new friends.

This month I want to use this space to talk to you about a visit we had from a lodge who came here to conduct their meeting in our lodge room. After the Master opened the lodge and welcomed everyone he let each Mason speak about being in Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 for their meeting. One by one they rose and spoke about the incredible privilege of being able to sit in the lodge of Washington. One of the newer Masons, having just been raised a few months earlier started to talk about not only how much he was enjoying this trip but also about how he hoped to return in a few years on their next trip. A very wise Past Master of their Lodge rose and spoke to that young man and urged him to enjoy this trip, soak up the experience, and not look to the future. We meet multiple times each month in the Lodge of Washington. Don't ever take this for granted. Each time should be special.

The principle of not looking to the future applies to us as well. We age day by day. None of us can predict the number of days alloted to us. Come out and spend time with the Brethren while you can. I have sat with, prayed with, and talked with many men at the end of their life. I have yet to have someone remark that they wished they had spend more time at the office. If is our time that we invest in family and friends that count.

My brethren, when I took office in December I "set the Craft to work and gave proper instructions for our employment". There were three items that I mentioned. One, to attend a meeting, Stated or Called, or a special event. The second was to advance your knowledge of the Craft, read at least one book on Freemasonry. The third was to invite one person back to a Masonic Event. This is the sixth month that I have been Master. My year is almost half over. If you have been to a Lodge meeting of event this year, thank you. If not, please think about coming soon. The year will get away from you and be gone before you know it. Also, pick up that book on Freemasonry and get started. We should all be constantly seeking more light in Masonry. And last but probably most important, please invite someone back to the Lodge. If they come out and enjoy a couple of events they may remember why they joined to begin with and start coming back to enjoy the fellowship.

Sincerely and fraternally,

"Tom"

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 in February, June 24th for Saint John the Baptist Day and December 27th for the installation of Officers.

CALLED COMMUNICATIONS - Usually on 1st Thursday / 4th Tuesday or as announced herein.

LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL - Will occur the 1st Wednesday or as announced herein as 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.