My Dear Brothers,
Spring is in full bloom, and this is certainly a busy time for Masonry across the District! Our Grand Lodge has many exciting events lined up to celebrate the Founding of our Great Republic, so I hope you are able to attend some of them. On July 30th, the Grand Lodge has planned a tour and viewing of the Declaration and Bill of Rights at the National Archives; that evening, we'll be able to see the Master Mason Degree based on English ritual at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. On Friday, July 31st, the Grand Lodge has scheduled a private tour of the Capitol and will host the Freedom Gala at the Library of Congress' Jefferson Building. And finally, on Saturday, August 1st, on the National Mall, there will be a procession and multi-faith service giving thanks to the Grand Architect for His blessings upon our country. (See the digest for more details!)
We greatly missed a number of Past Masters at our May Stated Communication, but we were in turn blessed with a few visitors, including Worshipful Brother Jean Marcelin of L'Haïtienne Lodge No. 925, who, during remarks to the Lodge emphasized the impact of our support to his Lodge's initiative to help the Capital Area Food Bank. Please continue to bring in those canned goods, Brothers! And please do bring in any spare towels, blankets and sheets to support the Brandywine Valley S.P.C.A., which helps them provide comfortable bedding at their shelters.
Worshipful Bro. James Morgan, III's discussion of his book, The Lost Empire: Black Freemasonry in the Old West, was truly illuminating, shedding light on the fascinating personalities who played instrumental roles in the highly complex history of Prince Hall Grand Lodges established in the Old West. This is a story all Masons should know, so I recommend picking up a copy of WB Morgan's book!
I appreciated those Brothers who were able to come out on May 16th and join us for another tremendously rewarding Honor Flight welcome, greeting WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam veterans at the WWII Memorial. For those Brethren who were unable to join the Lodge for these organized events I do recommend attending an Honor Flight welcome event at some point later in the year.
Brothers, I do have another opportunity to serve, to help the Brandywine Valley S.P.C.A. on June 7th and August 2nd, at their DC Village location. We'll be assisting with their “Pet Pantries,” from 8 to 11 A.M., packing pet food for the District’s needy families. I hope you can join us! We will also participate in a day of service alongside L'Haïtienne Lodge later this year--details to follow.
As we are dark in July, I do encourage all Brothers to attend our Grand Lodge's celebratory events in July/August, but I still would like us to gather for a tour of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial the morning of July 18th. Please let me know if you're interested!
Thanks to our Senior Warden’s labors, we are set for our 180th Anniversary Festive Board for August 8th at the Old Ebbitt Grill. The Fellowship Committee will be providing further details in coming weeks and months.
Don't forget the Grand Lodge's Masonic Education Workshops, with the June 6th session focused on the Fellowcraft degree and September’s workshop centered on the Master Mason degree. Do consider registering if it's within your cable-tow!
Brothers, our June program is a presentation by Tim Talbott of the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust on the 1864 Civil War battle of New Market Heights. Sixteen soldiers from the Union's Army of the James who fought at the battle were recipients of the Medal of Honor, with fourteen of these being Black troops from the XVIII Corps' USCT regiments. August’s program will feature a guided discussion by Brother Stephen de Leon entitled, Unbroken: Freemasonry, Persecution, and the Return of Light, which explores the suppression of Freemasonry under the Nazi and Communist regimes.
Especially after attending April 29th's Annual Meeting of the D.C. Masonic Foundation, Brothers, I can't conclude my comments here without making my regular pitch for the Foundation, which provides over $250,000 in scholarships to dozens of deserving young people in the District. Think about giving today: dcmasonicfoundation.org.
See you in June, Brothers, and take care and be well!
Sincerely and Fraternally,
WB David J.C. de Hosson
Worshipful Master