STOP TO SALUTE
It was raining
"cats and dogs" and I was late for physical training.
Traffic was backed up at Fort Campbell, Ky., and was moving way too
slowly.
I was probably going to be late and I was growing more and more impatient.
The pace slowed almost to a standstill as I passed Memorial Grove, the
site built to honor the soldiers who died in the Gander airplane crash,
the worst
redeployment accident in the history of the 101st Airborne Division (Air
Assault).
Because it was close to Memorial Day, a small American flag had been
placed in the ground next to each soldier's memorial plaque.
My concern at the time, however, was getting past the bottleneck,
getting out of the rain and getting to PT on time.
All of a sudden, infuriatingly, just as the traffic was getting started
again,
the car in front of me stopped. A soldier, a private of course,
jumped out in the pouring rain and ran over toward the grove.
I couldn't believe it! This knucklehead was holding up everyone for who
knows what kind of prank. Horns were honking.
I waited to see
the butt-chewing that I wanted him to get for making me late.
He was getting soaked to the skin. His BDUs were plastered to his frame.
I watched-as he ran up to one of the memorial plaques, picked up the small
American flag that had fallen to the ground in the wind and the rain,
and set it upright again.
Then, slowly, he came to attention, saluted, ran back to his car, and
drove off.
I'll never forget that incident. That soldier, whose name I will never
know,
taught me more about duty, honor, and respect than a hundred books or a
thousand lectures.
That simple salute -- that single act of honoring his fallen brother and
his flag --
encapsulated all the Army values in one gesture for me. It said, "I will
never forget.
I will keep the faith. I will finish the mission. I am an American
soldier."
I thank God for examples like that.
And on this Memorial Day,
I will remember all those who paid the ultimate price for my freedom,
and one private, soaked to the skin, who honored them.
**True account written by Army Captain John Rasmussen
May 28 - 30 ... OES: Grand Chapter of British Columbia & Yukon, Victoria, BC.
STANDARD WORK COMMITTEE REPORT
Change to read: “Grand Officers should be introduced individually by the Worthy Matron and/or Worthy Patron.”
Change to read: “Grand Representatives, Deputy Instructors, Worthy Matrons and Worthy Patrons (Part 2, K-M) are escorted directly to the East and introduce themselves from the floor.”
Change to read: “The Grand Lodge Team and Worshipful Masters are acknowledged from their places in the Chapter room (optional). They are introduced in the same manner as the Grand Chapter Committee members.”
20.. Memorial Services, Page 13, Item 1, currently reads: “Memorial services shall be held immediately after the welcoming of guests in the Chapter.”
Change to read: “Memorial services shall be held immediately after introductions.”
Change to read: Drapes for Memorials should be placed at the Conductress’ station before meeting is opened. Grand Chapter Memorials are done first, before Chapter Memorials.
Change to read: When joined hands are raised for the Golden Chain they are only raised shoulder high with the elbows bent comfortably. The dropping of the hands should be timed so that the Worthy Matron completes dropping her left hand just as the Chaplain says “Amen.” This timing may be accomplished as follows: The Worthy Matron starts to drop her right hand on the word “death,” each person in sequence then starts to drop their right hand on every second word of the prayer after the word “death.” As the hands are lowered, the Attitude of Prayer is assumed.
Change to read: “After prayer, the Chaplain rises, not entering the Golden Chain, and the Ode is sung. At the conclusion of the Ode, all drop hands and retire from Golden Chain (per the Ritual Pg. 80 and Diagram #13)
Change to read: One person alone gives the farewell. Members do not hold hands (Ritual, Pg 47).
Change to read: “The Tellers count and tally the ballots. The total, including blanks, must equal the member count. (If not, ballot must be destroyed, step 5 repeated, and votes re-cast.)”
Change to read: “Titles for Installing Officers are given in the Ritual (pp.94-96). The Assisting Installing Officers (in the East and on the floor)take their titles from the one person in charge who has been designated “The Installing Officer” for the Installation. Only members of the Eastern Star shall assist in the Installation Ceremony.”
New Item 5 to read: All Distinguished Guests shall be introduced from their places in the Chapter Room, following the ORDER given in BOI, Escort Ceremonies, PART 2, except The Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron, if present, and the Outgoing and Incoming Worthy Matrons and Worthy Patrons who shall be escorted. Grand Honors shall not be given when Distinguished Guests are introduced from the sidelines.
5. At Receptions ONLY: All introductions after Grand Officers are escorted and introduced shall be from their places in the Chapter Room, following the ORDER given in BOI, Escort Ceremonies, PART 2.
May 28 (Monday)
THE LAMBSKIN APRON
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
It is not ornamental; its cost is not great,
There are things far more useful, yet truly I state
That of all my possessions none can compare
With the White Leather Apron, that all Masons wear.
As a young lad I wondered, just what it all meant,
When Dad hustled around, and so much time was spent
In shaving and dressing and looking just right.
Until Mother would say, it’s the Masons tonight.
Sometimes Mother would say, “Dad what makes you go,
Way up there tonight, through the sleet and snow;
You see the same things each night of the year.”
And then Dad would say, “Yes, I know my dear;
Each time I see the same things, it is true,
Though they be old, they always seem new,
For each hand that I clasp, each friend that I greet
Seem just a little closer, each time that we meet.
Years later I stood at that very same door,
With good men and true, who had entered before,
Kneeled at the Altar, and there I was taught.
That Virtue and Honor can never be bought.
That there on the level, men meet and abide.
That wealth and position, is all cast aside.
So Honor the Lambskin, and may it remain,
Forever, untarnished, and free from all stain.
So that when we are called to the Grand Architect’s Love
We will meet him up there, in that Grand Lodge above.
** Shared by Jim King