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The following is an abstract from the minutes of Burbank Lodge's historict “Spirit of 96 Degree Trip” to Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, Alexandria, Virginia. Over 80 Masons and wives flew to Washington, D.C. to participate.
May 18, 1996, A.L. 5996 Hall of Alexandria Washington Lodge No. 22, A.F. & A.M., under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Virginia, and located in the George Washington National Masonic Memorial, on Shooters Hill in Alexandria, Virginia. Following a tour of the historic George Washington National Masonic Memorial, Burbank Lodge No. 406, F. & A.M. assembled at the place and on the date above written at 11:11 o'clock A.M. for the climax of the “Spirit of 96” Odyssey, the purpose of conferring the Third Degree of Masonry, and there were present the following officers:
The Lodge was opened on the Third Degree of Masonry for the purpose of conferring the Third Degree of Masonry. Brother Mark W. Underwood, Worshipful Master of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 requested permission to approach the East, and on his arrival, presented the Master of Burbank Lodge with a Certificate of Life Membership in the George Washington National Masonic Memorial for Burbank Lodge No. 406, in recognition of the contribution of $250.00 by Burbank Lodge. Worshipful Underwood cordially welcomed Burbank Lodge to Alexandria-Washington Lodge, to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial and to the Washington, D.C. area in general. He explained that, since Alexandria-Washington Lodge is involved in ceremonial functions about 340 days out of the year, it is not possible to have a large number of officers and members attend every function and he asked our forgiveness for the lack of local visitors. He then explained that he had interrupted the proceedings at this early point in the meeting because he had to leave immediately to recover his car, which had failed due to transmission trouble, causing him to walk the extra mile to greet us. He did return later. Fellowcraft Kenneth Leon Barnes then presented himself and the Third Degree of Masonry was conferred upon him in Due Form. After opening with the Burbank Officers that were present filling their proper stations and places, the Officers in the First Section were:
Since Burbank Lodge was out-numbered, the Master then introduced the members of Burbank Lodge to the “visitors”. The Officers in the Second Section:
The Master assigned the following officers for closing:
There being no further business to come before the Lodge, it was closed in Peace and Harmony at 2:13 P.M. and, after presentation of several gifts, the Brethren retired to the dinning room for a delicious lunch prepared by the local Amaranth Court. Following the lunch, the Brethren were rejoined by their Ladies and they then proceeded by bus to Mount Vernon, where they had the privilege of laying a wreath at the Tomb of Worshipful Brother George Washington. The historic day was brought to a joyous conclusion with a visit to one of Brother Washington's old hang-outs, the celebrated Gadsby's Tavern in Old Town Alexandria, where a delicious feast was enjoyed by what had become a most congenial group.
Postscript: This trip also included visits to the The U.S. Capitol Building, The White House, Arlington National Cemetary, the Smithsonian Institute Museum and Union Station, among other places. And altough it wasn't planned that way, it ended up being a fund raiser, showing a profit of over $1,000.00. |