Brethren:

I guess this is one of those between and betwixt (is that a word?) messages where I get caught trying to figure out what to write about this month. The Corp of Officers is between events and it is always easier to provide a summary of what has already happened than what is yet to occur.

Congratulations to Bro. Howard Ellis, our newest Entered Apprentice Mason, and to Bros. Robert Cassiday and Chris Chamberlain, our very soon to be Master Masons. This Saturday, 22 of our members will make the annual

trip to Columbia, just outside of Sonora. We have done this for many years, mainly because of the effort of our Chaplain, Bro. Austin Ashmore, PM, who organizes this trip for us. The Master Mason Degree will be conferred upon Bro. Robert Cassiday. I expect this trip to be no different than anything we have undertaken this year, all of which has been fun and very successful.

We then come back to a week of rest and no work to give the officers a break from practice for the first time in months. On the 29th, The Master Mason Degree will be conferred upon Bro. Chris Chamberlain. I expect large things from Chris in the future. He has an ability for memory-work that most of us dream of. I am sure his real brother (and also a Master Mason) Jim Chamberlain and Bro. Carl Churillo will be there to proudly welcome him into our “Master Mason” ranks.

Congratulations to Bro. Richard Irby, who recently received his Golden Veteran’s Award and Pin for his 50 years in Masonry. Bro. Les Dent, PM (your Sr. Warden) and I made the trip to the Veteran’s Home in Livermore to make this presentation. Bro. Richard’s, wife, Jeanette, was there and we had a very enjoyable visit with an absolutely delightful couple.

On September 23rd, I expect to have a group of 15 brothers making the trip to San Francisco to make a Golden Veteran Presentation to Bros. Al Kaplan and Fred Dewing. This special trip is the result of Bro. Fred Dewing's effort to provide a place closer to where he can attend. The result was something very special. We will all be boarding the Jeremiah O’Brien, one of the remaining warships that made the original trip to Normandy during WWII and subsequently the return trip 50 years later to commemorate the anniversary of that special event.

Bro. Fred Dewing holds a Chief Engineers license and sailed on the anniversary trip as part of the Engine Dept. Did you know that many of the original crew who physically could make the trip were honored by being invited to man their various posts on the anniversary trip back to Normandy on this vessel? This had to be an incredible and emotional few days for them.

Brother Bert Tucky, Jr., I have not forgotten about you and your Golden Veteran’s award is on its way to you across the State line(s). In October we continue our work with the conferral of our Fellowcraft Degrees (Bro. Nils and Kevin – you are up to bat). I expect to complete their Master Mason Degree in short order as quickly as they can get done with their examinations.

My continued “thank you” to all the Brothers that continue to support our Lodge. It wouldn’t be the same without you. In every organization, it is the people that make up the character of what happens. We survive and thrive through their personalities. So Kevin, Fred and Fred, Russ, Murray, Jerry, Les, Doug, Craig, Austin, James, Bob, and Ami, and everyone I may have not mentioned – it is all about you.

As I close this message I would like to congratulate Fred Shwartz, PM as our returning Officer's Coach. Thank you Rex Page for every minute of your time invested in taking care of us over the past several months. It wasn't easy but you stepped up to the plate.

Fraternally, Bob Whitfield, PM
Master
BobWhitfield@hotmail.com

Updated 07/31/08