| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on May 30, 2009 |
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Brethren -
There is a lot written about the origins of Memorial Day with many communities claiming to have held the first “Memorial Day”, but it is widely considered that the day was made official by the proclamation of General Logan following the Civil War in 1868. Here’s what I found about Memorial Day .........
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.
I hope that you were able to take time to reflect on and honor those that gave their lives in defending our great nation. Above all else, please fly the Stars & Stripes every Memorial Day.
Bob Rowan - Master
I will not be able to attend the June Stated meeting as Marlys and I will be off to New Mexico for our nieces wedding and a few quiet days with the family (and golf).
April was a very special month for me that required a lot of time in organizations other than the Blue Lodge. As I have always stated my Blue Lodge comes first, after the family, so thank you Worshipful Master Rowan for giving me some slack in my time of need.
As I look around the many Masonic affiliated organizations I belong to, it becomes clear that each one of them is suffering from lack of participation. (I know what you are thinking- he wants me to help but I’m already too busy). The old adage that 10 percent of the members do 90 percent of the work rings true and I honestly don’t know why. The military saying that “never volunteer” may have permeated the whole society. Could it be that some were just not asked? If they were would they help? Have we asked those who don’t come to lodge for help? Have we lost new members because they have become bombarded with requests to join other groups and we have diluted our pool? Needless to say this year is moving along at a very rapid pace and I intend to ask for your help with 2010 and if I don’t “PLEASE SAY SOMETHING TO ME”. I know some brothers that are able to juggle many responsibilities but as I grow older I have come to the realization that I must devote more time to single priorities.
Good News/Bad News;
The Good-I have been asked when the 2010 Los Altos installation is to be held and I am happy to report that (if elected) it will be held January 17th at 3PM with dinner to follow. The installation team is set and the building has been reserved.
The Bad- We need Officers for 2010 (Senior and Junior Deacon & Senior and Junior Steward). If you can help please let the Master know as soon as possible.
I hope that when you are requested to help in the planning process for next year you will give me your support.
This is something I took from the Southern California Research Lodge Review:
What is Masonic Knowledge?
It is not school. It is information about Masonry. It is not history. It is custom. It is not ritual.
It is creating a culture of understanding our traditions.
One can get it from books, discussion groups, the internet (but be careful – cyberspace has some bum info), or from the traditions of one’s lodge. But no matter how obtained, it can’t be acquired by not participating in some fashion in the Masonic experience.
What a waste to go to through the initiatic (SIC) experience, become a Master Mason and never again darken the door of one’s lodge. Why does this happen? Why do we let it happen?”
Author unknown
Yours in Faith
Bobbie Byers
Senior Warden
Brethren,
There is little, if any breezes in the South this month.
David Anderson
If you have not sent your dues payment for 2009, you are not in good standing, and therefore, not entitled to Masonic Priveleges. Please remit ASAP.
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