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May 2006
From the East
One morning, on an average American day, almost 3,000 of our citizens were killed in an unprovoked attack that forever changed the course of our nation's history. Our President, with the support of Congress and our fellow Americans, responded swiftly, vowing to bring justice to the malevolent forces that had brought death and destruction to our shores. The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 threw us headfirst into the bloody throes of World War II. For the next four years our Armed Forces gallantly fought the enemy until our victory in 1945.
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Perhaps the most illustrative example of the magnitude of evil that the U.S. and the Allies faced during the war was the state-sanctioned genocide led by the Nazis and their collaborators. Unknown to many, among the millions of people killed in the Holocaust, 80,000 to 200,000 are believed to have been Freemasons. It was Hitler's belief that the Jews and the Freemasons were responsible for the political, cultural and economic decline of post-war Germany. In his opinion, the elimination of these two groups (along with the Serbs, Poles, Slavs, Gypsies, Communists, Homosexuals, Catholics and others) was the "solution" to all of Germany's problems. Fortunately, the Allied forces had the strength and determination to wipe the Third Reich off of the face of the earth.
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When all was said and done 291, 557 of our servicemen had given their lives during WWII. To put that number in perspective, that's enough people to fill Qwest Field to capacity more than four times. Tom Brokaw refers to the men and women of that era as "The Greatest Generation." I can't think of a more accurate designation. While subsequent generations may claim superiority, nothing they have ever achieved (or will ever achieve) would be possible without the tireless labor and ultimate sacrifice of the men and women of the mid-twentieth century.
On this Memorial Day, as we attend campouts, barbeques and sales at the mall, let us all take a moment or two to reflect on those that have died during all of the wars in which we have fought (and are still fighting).
One of the many things that cross my mind as I look at our flag is the amazing level of selflessness of the men and women in our Armed Forces. I think of the life I have now, with my wife, daughter and career, and imagine having to leave it all behind to travel to a foreign country - perhaps never to return home again. How infinitely blessed we are to have so many citizens of such a high caliber; citizens ready to risk their lives in the defense of our nation and the freedoms we enjoy.
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Mark Campbell, WM
FOUR JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN CANDIDATES TO SPEAK AT MAY STATED
Four candidates for Junior Grand Warden have announced their availability to stand for election at this year's annual Grand Lodge communication, June 8-10, at Ocean Shores. At this month's St. John's stated communication, we will have not one, not two, not three, but ALL FOUR CANDIDATES for Junior Grand Warden speaking to us and expressing their hopes and dreams for Masonry in Washington should they be elected to take that first step to the Grand East.
Two of the four are members of St. John's Lodge No. 9. VWBros. Ashley Brinkley and Gale Kenney are members of St. John's. VWBro. John Lunt is a Past Master of Riverside Lodge No. 112 in Wenatchee. WBro. Andy Olson is a Past Master of Ellensburg Lodge No. 39.
Resolutions to amend the Grand Masonic Code will also be reviewed.
We will be reading a couple of petitions and voting on five others. If your birthday is in the month of May, we'll greet you with song and good cheer.
Worshipful Master Mark Campbell invites all Masons to join us for a full evening of entertainment and business. Dinner begins at 6:15. Please let the Secretary know you and a guest will be in attendance so we can give the chef an accurate count!
CEDAR WAY ELEMENTARY LITERACY NIGHT
A few brothers from St. John's will be presenting a check to Cedar Way Elementary School of Mountlake Terrace on Tuesday evening, May 23. That evening Cedar Way will be sponsoring what they call Literacy Fair Night. Students will be showing their parents and teachers what they have been doing at school. We have been given the opportunity to present our annual contribution to the school's accelerated reader program at this event and will be able to show a little what Masonry does for our community. (We also support the accelerated reader program for two other elementary schools in the Seattle area.)
The Fair runs 6:30 to 8:30pm. The presentation will be around 7:00. The day and date has been changed from a previous announcement.
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Grand Lodge Annual Communication
RESOLUTION PRESENTED FOR ACTION IN MAYIt has been the custom for St. John's Lodge to encourage the participation of its elected officers and voting delegates to the annual Communication of Grand Lodge. It has also been the custom for the past ten years to assist in the financial expenses of such participation. At our April stated communication, the following resolution was proposed for action at our May meeting:
- Whereas St. John's Lodge No. 9 has two resolutions to amend the Grand Masonic Code before the delegates at this year's annual communication of Grand Lodge, and
- Whereas, there are also two candidates from our lodge who have presented themselves as candidates for Junior Grand Warden, and
- Whereas it is in the interest of this lodge to be well represented to make our case for the support of these resolutions and candidates,
- therefore be it resolved
That the budget line item "Grand Lodge annual communication" expenses be increased by $1,000 to $4,500.
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Coming Events
- May 17 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated Meeting
- May 20: King Solomon Golf Tourney (Auburn)
- May 21 (2pm): SYSO - pizza feed at Benaroya Hall (rehearsal/practice from 11:30am - 2pm) (Courtesy tickets to the 3pm concert will be provided to helpers)
- May 23 (6:30-8:30): Cedar Way Elementary Literacy Night
- May 23 (7:30pm): King Co. Masonic Library meeting
- May 24 (7pm): Officers meeting or degree
- May 24 (7pm): District 5 Lodge Officers & Members Assoc. meeting (Greenwood)
- June 12: King Solomon Lodge Annual Strawberry Feed
- June 17-18: Fremont Fair (with Daylight No. 232)
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WEB PAGE ADDS TWO NEW FEATURESTwo new features have been added to our web page. First, go to www.seattlemasons.org. If you look above the calendar on the left side of the page you will notice a link to "St. John's Lodge Forum." If you click this link you will be transported to the newest feature of your website. This forum is not secure (from non-Masons) so no postings will be allowed on subjects that we all have agreed to keep private. Esoteric discussion is welcome as is Masonic historical discussion.
WBro. Charlie Tupper reports that the website has also added a feature which permits members to make reservations for coming events.
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NHL STANLEY CUP
HONORS BRO. MASON
The Stanley Cup was named after Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley (1841-1908). He was the Governor General of Canada from 1888 -1893. Bro. Stanley was a member of Royal Alpha Lodge # 16, London, England. He was a close friend of Brother Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister. Bro. Stanley was a keen sportsman and originated the Cup to encourage winter sports in Canada.
A monument honoring Lord Stanley and dedicating Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, reads, "To the use and enjoyment of people of all colors creeds and customs for all time".
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NEWS FROM LAST MONTH'S STATED MEETING
The company store has "glass magnet" window decals available which read "www.SeattleMasons.org." The committee is looking at jackets and stainless steel coffee cups, and hopes to have a catalogue of store items soon.
The St. John's scholarship committee has received student recommendations from Ballard High School, and expects recommendations soon from Chief Sealth HS and Northwest College of Nursing.
VWBro. Mike Davis, our retiring Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5, announced that WBro. Jim Maher of Daylight Lodge No. 232 will represent our Grand Master next year as his Deputy for this district. Welcome, soon-to-be VWBro. Jim!
A favorable ballot was spread on MWBro. Alvin Wendell Jorgensen for plural affiliation. MWBro. Jorgensen is the presiding Grand Master for this Jurisdiction. Welcome to St. John's, MW Al!
For those of you who want to know what happened at our last stated meeting, our webmaster Charlie Tupper does a pretty good job at placing that information on our website. From his notes, photos supplied by WBro. Darrel Womack and a few from Charlie, and the minutes prepared by the Secretary, the webpage gives pretty good detail without announcing to the world the specifics of dollars spent on this project or that.
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EVENINGS OF FELLOWSHIP
On the third Monday of most months, we are invited to share social time with Greenwood Lodge. Usually there is a great meal served, followed by poker, ping-pong, games, or just informal chat among brothers and fellows. That all starts at 6pm. Everyone is invited to gather around and have some brotherly fellowship. This month that would be May 15, or a couple of days before our stated meeting.
Masonic Promotion in the Community
The movie "The DaVinci Code" will be released this month, and with recent books, television specials, and last year's movie "National Treasure" raising a public interest in Freemasonry, we need to be "duly and truly" prepared. Greenwood Lodge sells hot dogs during the Greenwood Classic Car Show, June 24. That lodge also participates in the Greenwood Seafair Parade (July 26) with the Masonic Float. St. John's also helps to staff a Masonic information booth at the June 17-18 Fremont "Summer Solstice" Fair. All Brothers from St. John's will have the opportunity to assist in this public awareness of our fraternity. How about carrying a petition for the degrees in your pocket? Be alert to answer questions from your neighbors and friends.
FUNERAL SERVICE TEAM(S) NEED VOLUNTEERS
There's a certain amount of irony to this call: we need new volunteers to serve on the funeral teams for our lodge and for the Masonic Service Bureau. Why? 'Cause those who have been serving are getting old and passing away! If you are willing to learn the ritual, and can be available at the will and pleasure of the family of a departed brother, please see VWBro. Jim Russell. Fulfilling a brother's final wish can be one of our greatest pleasures.
Contact Us Here
Worshipful Master: Mark Campbell (425) 398-1398
Senior Warden: Charles Tupper (206) 406-8670
Junior Warden: James A. Wold (425) 357-6867
Secretary: Jim Russell (206) 623-0261 stjohns9@seattlemasons.org
Webmaster: Charles Tupper (206) 406-8670 webmaster@seattlemasons.org
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