| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on June 19, 2003 |
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On April 30th, we hosted a Tri-Lodge event with Mountain View-De Anza and Palo Alto-Roller Lodges to honor some of our fine educators and support groups in the Los Altos, Mountain View, and Palo Alto school districts. I had the honor to present a monetary gift to Amanda Terry from Oak Elementary School. Amanda is the Teacher Of The Year for the Los Altos Elementary School District. Amanda is also the President of the teacher's association. Joining Amanda were Leslie Crane, Principal at Oak School, and Patricia Boettcher, Assistant Superintendent of instruction. Lee Dimmitt, Master of Mountain View-De Anza, presented a gift to Becky Dorocak, 7th grade teacher at Graham Middle School. John Myers, Master of Palo Alto-Roller, presented a gift to Susan Barkhurst, Executive Director for Adolescent Counseling Services in the Palo Alto District. Everyone learned something new about the history of California Public Schools, founded by men (Robert Semple and John Swett) who also happened to be Masons! This event reconfirmed why I am a Mason!
During our short Stated Meeting on May 5th (40 minutes...perhaps a new record?), we received a blue application. We should be balloting in June so be on the look out for a 1st degree conferral on Monday, June 29th. The cinco de mayo dinner was delicious and I saw many people go back for second servings. After the meeting, we enjoyed a wine tasting with John McDaniel as our tasting guide. I'm told this needs to be an annual event.
On Saturday, May 10th we hosted a 25 year Mason pin recognition ceremony. We started the evening with a spaghetti dinner in conjunction with Valley Star 250 O.E.S and then regrouped in Lodge for the presentations. The dinner was delicious and cooked by Bill and Linda Malmstrom. The sponsor of the 25 year pins and our gratitude is extended to Brother Roger Lawler.
Recipients of the awards were: Roger Lawler; Melba Williams- Swanson posthumously for Larkin Williams; Sterling Bailey, PM, HA; Dan McDaniel, PM; Kermit Williams, PM, HA; Joseph Romero, PM; Thomas (Tommy) Thomason; Flemming Nielsen; Paul Ladd, PM.
Our plan is to present awards to members as they attend Lodge with prior notification so we have the opportunity to prepare the certificates.
I will notify you of the remaining Lodge events for the year in our next Trestleboard. Hopefully you may be encouraged to volunteer and assist in organizing an event. We need your help and support.
Fraternally Feeling Good, Richard Weyers, Master
P.S. To Los Altos Lodge Past Master's: We are trying to move the Past Master's Night forward this year to a Saturday in the summer time. As a result, our Jr. Past Master, Bob Lake, will be contacting you soon with potential dates. Please provide him with your availability. I was hoping we could have this event in June or July. If this seems impractical, we will move the date out to the Fall in combination with a Lodge Visitation. Speaking of Lodge Visitations, please let me know if you have any suggestions (perhaps in the Sierra Foothills or Sonoma?).
The following is part of the Master's message at the public schools night:
Paraphrased from: "California Freemasonry, 1850-2000, the last 50 years"
California Masons look with pride at the free, tax-supported public schools in California. The cornerstone was laid at the California constitutional convention held in Monterey in 1849 when Robert Semple, president of the convention, publisher of California's first newspaper, and a Mason, spearheaded the movement which established funding for a system of free education supported by the people of California. The delegates, after long debates on priorities, firmly recognized that an enlightened citizenry is the best guarantee of a free society.
The next significant series of events in California public schools began to unfold in 1853, just after admission to statehood. In that year, a young man of twenty-two arrived in San Francisco by ship seeking better health. His name was John Swett, who became a Mason and later became known as the father of California's public school system. He began a teaching career in education, which, in ten years, saw him elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
He declared two fundamental principles that have become accepted axioms in the American theory of education. First, it is the duty of a free people, as an act of self-preservation, to provide for the education of every child. Second, the prosperity of the state should be taxed to pay for that education. In his last report as state superintendent he announced this historic fact: "For the first time in the history of the state, every public school is entirely free for every child to enter."
Masonry in California has traditionally supported our public schools system and continues that support today.
The California Masonic Foundation is the "service arm" of California Freemasonry. It is the moving force in the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program, recognition of teachers of the year, and the awarding of a large number of academic scholarships to deserving California students. It led the way in California in the "Say No To Drugs" campaign of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America.
The foundation was established on March 5th, 1969 by selling two Masonic Clubhouses at Berkeley ($337,888) and UCLA ($550,000). Additional donations over the years have built the foundation principal amounts to impressive levels allowing the foundation to award fifteen (15) C.E. Towne annual grants of $10,000 each year for a four-year total of $40,000 each. Additionally, one hundred (100) grants are awarded each year for $2,500 renewable for four years for a total of $10,000. The total four-year value of this year's scholarships is well over $1 million dollars.
The Masonic Model Student Assistance Program established in 1994-1995 marked a significant change in the relationship between California Masons and the California Public Schools. Two of the leading instructors in childhood intervention in the country are brought to our Covina Masonic Homes in Southern California to instruct as many as sixty educators together in a classroom in the Masonic Model intervention techniques. The three day program teaches the school personnel how to recognize those behaviors which identify a child as "at-risk," - at risk of becoming involved in substance abuse, school dropout, gang membership, a threat to others through violence, or a danger to himself or herself as another teen suicide. Then they are taught how to legally document that behavior in a way that assures confidentiality and the protection of a child's privacy.
Next, the group is taught the techniques of intervention, the interruption of that child's destructive behavior, by using available community resources in a way tailored to change that behavior thus giving that child a new life and a chance to become a productive citizen in the future.
In 1998 California Masons introduced the Child ID program utilizing specialized computers to be used at fairs, schools, art & wine festivals, and other public events. Parents can bring their children for a very complete identification profile, which could be very useful in a future emergency regarding their child.
The Grand Lodge has historically laid cornerstones of public buildings. Public schools have been an important part of the program. Large celebrations of this type are not trivial in the Grand Lodge budget and also represent a significant commitment of the Grand Master's limited calendar time. For example, this past month, the Grand Lodge and Grand Master laid cornerstones for seven schools in the Elk Grove school district. Some cornerstones of interest: November 30th, 1909 City Hall of Mountain View; May 24th, 1923 at the original Mountain View High School; April 8th, 1961 at Chester F. Awalt High School. During the 2000-2001 Grand Lodge Year, 27 cornerstones were laid at public schools throughout California. This is typical of what California Masons do each year.
In summary, the California Grand Lodge has a remarkable history of supporting our public schools and has established a "Public Schools Week" committee to assist the lodges with planning and implementation of Public Schools Week. Thus, one of the many reasons we are here tonight!
Los Altos Lodge Teacher of the Year: Amanda Terry
Amanda has been teaching since 1976, with the past 17 years in the Los Altos School District. She has mostly taught Kindergarten, with spells in first grade and pre-Kindergarten. Amanda has a BA in Human Development, and a Master's in Education Administration. She also has a reading specialist credential which enables her to teach reading. Reading is one of her favorite pastimes and she is happy to be able to help others find the same joy that she has found in books.
Currently, Amanda teaches Kindergarten in the mornings and reading to 2nd and 3rd graders in the afternoons.
In addition to her teaching duties, she is currently the President of the Los Altos Teachers Association, the local chapter of the California Teachers Association.
Amanda states that she is proud to represent her colleagues in the district in meetings with the administrations, with the public, and with other districts throughout the state.
She will be running for reelection this spring for a second year in office. Last fall she was honored to be chosen "Teacher of the Year" for her School district.
Amanda loves cooking, gardening, traveling, and watercolor painting.
Fraternally Feeling Good,
Richard Weyers,
Master
On the May 21st we awarded our $1000 college scholarship. We also started the ball rolling on our Twenty five year pin presentation. On May 10 our first nine recipients received their awards. The WM had these brethren and their wives as his guest at Eastern Star spaghetti dinner. After dinner all retired to the Lodge room for the presentations. This twenty five year pin award can be attributed to the effort and dedication of Bro. Roger Lawler. It was his request and financial support that has provided Los Altos with the ability to henceforth present brothers with twenty five year recognition awards. Our current Master was the coordinator in this effort and deserves much of the credit for now adding a new tradition to our Lodge.
June brings with it Fathers Day. Here is wishing all you fathers a great day. June also brings in summer. Our schedule for June will be a busy one. If all goes well we may have two degrees, which makes for many days of practice. All you officers take note, we will be practicing in advance stations for the remainder of the year. Like the butcher that backed into the meat grinder, if you feel a little behind in your work, give me a call, I will be glad to make room in my schedule to help you out. We have to start looking forward to qualifying for next year.
A while back I received some email with many fine rules of behavior. In looking them over I came across the rule of the 3 R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions. These rules embody our fraternity. It is one of the interwoven basic principles exemplified by our ritual, our meetings and how we act towards one another. The reason I was attracted to these rules was a recent wedding invitation. My first thoughts in seeing these rule was how important they are in marriage. Statistic show that approximately half the present day marriages will end in divorce. I wonder how many divorces would be avoided if these principles were adhered to? We will never know. My relative is a young college graduate and I will be offering this as my advice to the newly weds. Like those valuable instruments we Masons subscribe to, these should be valuable instruments in marriage.
Fraternally,
Ernest Castillo, P. M.,
Senior Warden
We often hear of the numerous contributions to our country made by our American Masonic brethren, since its conception in 1776. It is however, also interesting to notice that those same Masonic principals, which we hold so dear, have often been as equally prevalent in the actions of numerous patriots of other countries. A good example of this can be found by examining the Mexican holiday, "Cinco de Mayo." The event celebrated on this holiday in fact occurred because of the patriotic actions of a number of famous Mexican Freemasons.
The holiday of Cinco de Mayo is of great importance in Mexican communities, but is usually completely misunderstood by Non Mexicans.
Most United States citizens mistakenly believe it to be the Mexican day of Independence, similar to our 4th of July. This view is just not so. The real Mexican day of Independence is celebrated on September 16, and commemorates their Declaration of Independence from Spain as well as their actual independence from the power of France in the year 1810. Cinco de Mayo on the other hand commemorates a most important victory by the Mexican Army over the French and European forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
To really understand what happened, we must examine the life and times of Benito Juarez, an outstanding Mexican Freemason, whose life paralleled the life and times of our own Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln lived between 1809-1865 and Juárez between 1806-1872. Both men were born poor, both cared more for political change than riches, and both believed the study of law was the best avenue of preparation for a political leader. Both radiated an impressive charisma and a truly commanding presence. Although they never met personally, they formed a lifetime friendship through correspondence, and helped each other whenever they could.
Juárez was born on March 21, 1806, high in the mountains of the Mexican State of Oaxaca in the village of San Pablo Gueletao. Both of his parents were pure Zapotec Indians, and unfortunately died when he was but four years of age. He was raised and educated by his uncle until he was 13 years old, when he was sent to live and work in the city of Oaxaca. At the time he arrived in the city, he spoke only the native Zapotec language, and could neither read, write nor speak Spanish. This was a great handicap for him since Spanish was the national language. He was accepted into the household of the Maza family, where his sister worked as a servant.
Senior Maza, head of the household, not only took the boy in, but in time also developed an interest in his education. Before long, Antonio Salanueva, a close friend to Senior Maza, and a devout Catholic lay member of the Franciscan order, also took an interest in the boy. Salanueva began teaching him reading, writing, arithmetic, Spanish grammar and bookbinding. Both men were so impressed with his aptitude that they sent him to the Franciscan seminary in Oaxaca with the idea of guiding him into the priesthood. Although still very young, Juárez immersed himself in the study of Aquinas and other great Catholic philosophers, but by the time he graduated from the seminary in 1827, he had already decided that his career would be in law rather than religion. After graduation, he entered the Institute of Science and Art, and earned his law degree by 1834. It was during this period when he was first exposed to numerous works by the rationalist philosophers of the "Age of Enlightenment." Here also he first learned of the fraternity of Freemasons. In the end, he became completely imbued with their secular doctrines, and eventually abandoned the Catholic faith of his early days.
While still attending the Institute of Science and Art, Juárez developed an interest in politics. In fact, between 1831-33, even before receiving his law degree, he served as a city councilman in Oaxaca and proved to be a strong defender of Indian rights. Next, in 1841, he became a civil judge, and two years later married Margarita Maza, the daughter of his patron. A world wind of activity then entered his life. After a short stint as a federal deputy, he was admitted to the bar in 1846. The following year was elected governor of Oaxaca and served between 1847-52.
The Mexican American War broke out in 1846 and although he was serving as governor of Oaxaca starting in 1847, he played no part in the war. He did however; support a controversial measure in the legislature calling for the confiscation of church lands. Finishing his term as governor, he became director of his alma mater, the Institute of Science and Art.
The dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna, (Also a Freemason) after losing the war, returned to power in 1853. Then because Juarez made strong statements about the corrupt activities of General Santa Anna, Santa Anna had him expelled from office and exiled from Mexico. Juárez was only one of the members of a large group of liberals expelled from the country who arrived in New Orleans in October 1853. There he joined forces with such kindred spirits as Melchor Ocampo and José Guadalupe Montenegro, and begin to organize a Revolutionary Junta aimed at the overthrow of Santa Anna. During this period of exile, Juárez supported himself by working in a cigarette factory. Here also he met many important Masonic contacts.
Two years later, he returned to Mexico and joined a revolt against Santa Anna. After the removal of Santa Anna, he served as Minister of Justice under President Alvarez. In 1855 while serving as Minister of Justice, he wrote his famous law, "The Ley of Juarez," which reduced the power of both the army and the Catholic Church.
Shortly thereafter, a man named Comonfort became president, and because he feared the power of Juarez, he removed him from his office as Minister of Justice, and appointed him Governor of The State of Oaxaca. This was a considerably less powerful position and separated him from the main base of power in Mexico City.
Juarez however continued to work hard and make reforms in his new position. He re-established the Institute of Science and Art, which had been suppressed under Santa Anna. On February 5, 1857, a new constitution was adopted which further restricted the privileges of the Church. In November of that year, because of his great popularity, and the outstanding success of his many reforms, President Comonfort was forced by the press to make him the minister of the interior and one month later he was elevated to chief justice of the Supreme Court. This was a most important office because under the Mexican constitution, the chief justice of the Supreme Court was next in line for the presidency if the chief executive died or was unlawfully removed from office.
Conservatives and clericals alike desperately opposed the new constitution. In December 1857 a right-wing general, named Félix Zuloaga led a coup in which Congress was dissolved, and Juárez arrested. Then Zuloaga deposed Comonfort and simply took the presidency for himself. In retaliation, Comonfort released Juárez, from jail and he escaped to Querétaro on January 11. Eight days later, he proclaimed himself the lawful president.
This proclamation began the bloody, Reform War of 1858-61, between the liberal Juarezistas and conservative Catholic party. The war had been so named because of the Reform Laws that had curbed the powers of the Church.
While it is not known exactly when Juárez and Lincoln's became friends in communication, we know that Lincoln strongly supported him as early as 1857, just before the Reform War broke out. When Juárez had to flee Mexico City in 1858, Lincoln sent him a message expressing hope "for the liberty of your government and its people."
The bond between the two leaders was strengthened in 1861, the year the Civil War began and the year Juarez, triumphantly returned to Mexico City as the new president of Mexico, and after finally winning the elections.
In his new office, he immediately went to work seeing that proper laws were enacted, which removed special privileges, and political power from the Catholic Church. In addition, due to the war, the Mexican treasury was almost bankrupt, and one of his first actions as president was to suspend the interest payments on the foreign debt to Mexico's chief European creditors, France, Britain and Spain.
This angered the European powers, and France saw this as an opportunity to invade. French forces quickly occupied Vera Cruz, Mexico by the end of 1861. President Juarez ordered General Zaragosa to gather forces for defense and his Mexican forces went to battle with the French. It was this battle, fought on May 5, 1862, and called the Battle of Puebla, which is remembered today as Cinco de Mayo.
The French army was well armed and trained before the battle. Puebla was a very small rural Indian farming community south of Mexico City. The village Indians had to make up the army if there was to be one, because there just wasn't anyone else. The Mexicans were ragged and poor, and had very few guns or bullets. Because of these handicaps, they armed themselves with clubs, slings, axes, knives, and machetes.
And so it was, that they fought on until the French finally left their area. In a short time, the news of their valiant effort spread throughout Mexico and even overseas. Though Lincoln obviously had his hands full with the Civil War, he did what he could to help Juárez. General Sheridan wrote "we continued supplying arms and munitions to the (Mexican) liberals, sending as many as 30,000 muskets from Baton Rouge alone." This order came from General Grant, and originated with Lincoln: "Concentrate in all available points in the States an army strong enough to move against the (European) invaders of Mexico."
People everywhere were impressed by the courage of the Mexicans. Of course, the war didn't end there but that one battle was enough to unite the entire country behind President Benito Juarez. Juárez reciprocated Lincoln's friendly attitude many times. One interesting event is shown by his response to an overture he received from the Confederate government. The South had sent a delegation, under John T. Pickett, to try and win over the Mexicans. Juárez, threw Pickett into a Mexico City jail for thirty days, and then expelled him and his delegation from the country. In recent years, Hollywood would recall this incident in the John Wayne movie "The Undefeated."
Juarez continued to fight on against Emperor Maximilian, and eventually even captured him. Because he knew Juarez was a Freemason, Maximilian claimed he was a member of the Craft in Austria, and that he was also a patron of Masonry in Mexico. He then appealed to Juarez as a mason to save his life, Juarez, however, proved to his satisfaction that Maximilian was not then, and never nad been a Freemason, approved his execution, and had him shot before afiring squad on June 19, 1867.
Juarez thereafter went on to be elected President of Mexico for two additional terms once in 1867 and again in 1872. Because of his high integrity and his many reforms, he is entitled the Abraham Lincoln of Mexico. It is interesting that the very man he so closely mirrored in principal also befriended him.
His Masonic career was equally prominent and we find him serving as master of his lodge, and then rising to sovereign inspector general in the Mexican AASR. 33 degree. In fact, he is credited with keeping the Mexican Scottish Rite together. Unfortunately, when the time came for him to pass to the Supreme Grand Lodge above, dissension once again raised its ugly head and the York and Scottish Rites were once again at odds.
And so it was that the Battle of the little village of Puebia on May 5, 1862, under the direction of a prominent Mexican Freemason, has come to symbolize the strength, determination and dignity of the Mexican people, and is until now celebrated every year as "Cinco de Mayo."
Fraternally,
In Service to "The Craft",
Luis Orozco, II, F.M.
Junior Warden
LAMTA
What has the Temple Board been doing so far this year ? The outside of the building • Continuing for last year, when most of the windows in the building have been replaced by thermal pane windows (to help conserve energy), a new coat of paint has been applied to the building. The signs on the building were removed or painted over in this process of repainting. We have been working on getting the city permits for replacing the signs on the building, now with permits in hand. We will soon be repainting the sign on the back of the building, and we are having installed metal raised letters on the front of the building. Now with permits in hand hopefully these projects will soon be completed. On the back side of the building we are having the Stucco finish extended to the ground to cover the foundation wall, again another project to beautify the exterior of the building.
On the inside of the building - There have been many small projects - none of them as noticeable as the repainting and the new signs. The phone lines for the entire build have been reorganized and in many cases rewired and a new phone panel installed. Allowing more lines into the building if needed. An old water heater has been replaced, and soon to be added is HOT water to the bathrooms in the front of the building. A new dishwasher (identical to the old unit) was installed downstairs in the kitchen, and a consolidation and cleanup of many of the storage closets in the building.
Future projects - If you haven't already heard, we are planning to have an elevator installed in this building • the cost is very high and we are seeking donations for this project. This is now an official project and we are matching all donations up to $100,000.00 to be put into a special fund just for the elevator. We are hoping that we will have enough funds to be able to start construction of this project within the next couple of years. We are expecting it to have a cost of approximately 250,000 dollars.
Greg Buschek
President, LAMTA
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