MASONRY
 

Home MASONRY OUR AMERICA MASONRY Table of Contents Page MASONIC Search Page MASONRY Feedback Page LODGE OF EDUCATION

 

PAGE UPDATES FOR MASONRY NEBRASKA BY DATE

Click on Table of Contents and arrow down to the page that you want to check. The changed pages will be listed here by date. Usually look under
Page Communications on that page: 

 

January 22nd, 2009 - American Legion Riders,  

February 1st, 2009  - Knights of Saint Andrew,

February 2nd, 2009 - Bennett Lodge #94

March 7th, 2009  - Seabees

March 31st, 2009 - Harleys, American Legion Riders

April 14th, 2009 - Masonry Nebraska Index Page (Songs I Love Nebraska, Beautiful Nebraska and Nebraska Football, Sesostris Shrine, American Legion Riders.)   

 

 

  

THE GRAND LODGE OF TEXAS

Has a website whereby they have on Real Audio or Windows Media Audio or MP3 , narrated by Brother Alan Holmes, Brother Joe B. Motley, and Brother Boyd Patterson what masonry is to them and I think, as editor of Masonry Nebraska, should be heard by all Masons and others. Of course, the request for petition on the link does not apply to members of Nebraska Grand Lodge.

You can apply directly to the Nebraska Grand Lodge or webmaster of Masonry Nebraska, or ask any Nebraska Mason requesting a petition.

The address of the Texas Masonic Link is http://www.grandlodgeoftexas.org/between_friends      Paste this address to your address bar on your browser.

Masonry Nebraska wishes to thank The Grand Lodge of Texas and their members for such a fine explanation of Masonry.

Pictured are some famous Masons: President and Brother George Washington, Brother Benjamin Franklin, Brother Jose Navarro, Brother William B. Travis, Brother Sam Houston, Brother Lorenzo de Zavala, Brother Stephen Austin, President and Brother Theodore Roosevelt, Brother Charles Lindbergh, President and Brother Franklin D. Roosevelt, Brother Will Rogers, President and Brother Harry S. Truman, U.S. General and Brother Douglas S. MacArthur, Brother Norman Vincent Peale, Brother John Wayne and U.S. Lunar Astronaut and Brother Edwin  E. (Buzz) Aldrin.

 

         From Liberty Lodge #300 Past Masters Night, 2001,  W.B. Daniel Foreman, Master

                                                                    THE ROAD OF MASONRY

Men build a Road of Masonry

Across the hills and dales;

Unite the prairie and the sea,

The mountains and the vales

They cross the chasm, bridge the stream

They point to where the turrets gleam,

and many men for many a day

Who seek the heights shall find the way

 

 

Men build a Road of Masonry
But not for self they build
With footsteps of humility
The hearts of men are thrilled.
This music makes their labors sweet;
The endless tramp of other feet
The thought that men shall travel thus
An easier road because of us.
 

 

We build the Road of Masonry
With other men in mind;
We do not build for you and me,
We build for all mankind.
We build a road, remember, men
Build not for Now, but build for When,
And other men who walk the way
Shall find the road we build today.
 

 

Who builds the Road of Masonry,
Though small or great his part,
However hard the task may be
May toil with singing heart.
For it is something, after all,
When muscles tire and shadows fall,
To know that other men shall bless
the BUILDER for his faithfulness
 

 

by Brother Douglas Malloch

                                Two Horses

 

Author - unknown


Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.

 
[]

From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing....

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

[] ?

This alone is amazing.
 
If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell.
Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.
 
Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell.
 


 


It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

[]

As you stand and watch these two friends,
you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse,
and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk

to where the other horse is,
trusting that he will not be led astray.

 
When the horse with the bell returns
to the shelter of the barn each evening,
it stops occasionally and looks back,
making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.


 
[]

 
Like the owners of these two horses,
God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect
or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives
to help us when we are in need.
 
Sometimes we are the blind horse
being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.

Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way....

Good friends are like that... you may not always see them, but you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.
And remember...
be kinder than necessary-
everyone you meet is fighting
some kind of battle.

 
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly....
Leave the rest to God
 

 

MASONIC ACTIVITIES IN THE LINCOLN AND NEBRASKA AREA

Because of Masonic Activities that are planned on the same date, hopefully, we will attempt to alleviate some of these problems. The following are dates that have come to light from Blue Lodges, Shrine, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Order of Eastern Star, Nile, and Youth Organizations to this editor. Please e-mail the Webmaster if you have a date that you would like to post. 

This from the York Area Lodges

Our regular monthly Blue Lodge meeting (York Lodge #56) is the last Tuesday of every month (we don't go dark) at 7:30 pm.

 
Solomon Chapter 33 and Joppa Commandery 17 meet the third Monday of each month at 7:30 pm at the York Lodge.
 
Naomi Council 26 meets at the Geneva Lodge at 6:30 pm for a carry-in dinner and the meeting follows at 7:30 pm. We meet each quarter and our next meeting is Tuesday, September 20, and the one following that on Tuesday, November 15. (Always the third Tuesday.)
 

HIRAM CLUB OF LINCOLN

Hiram Club of Lincoln holds their Board of Governors Meeting on the Second Thursday of every month at 11:45 p.m. together with the Thursday  meal at the Scottish Rite Temple in Lincoln with the meeting commencing at 12:15.

The Hiram Club Ladies Night will begin on the fourth Saturday of the month in April and June at the Scottish Rite Temple at 6:00 p.m. It will be held four times  thru the year. 

FOR THE YEAR 2006

In January, is the month when Blue Lodges and Chapters have their installations.

 Mon. Jan. 2nd -  K.T. Commandery - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 p.m. Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wed. Jan. 4th -  Chapter & Council York Rite - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 - Meeting 7:00 p.m. 
Fri. Jan. 6th - Capstone Chapter York Rite - 27th & S - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Thurs. Jan. 5th - Hickman Lodge #256 Installation 7:30 Closed
Fri. Jan. 6th - Capstone Chapter #64 York Rite Installation Open 8:00 Bus. Meeting Closed
Sat. Jan. 7th - Scottish Rite Lincoln Valley Installation for all Bodies S. R. Temple 7:00 P.M. 
Sat. Jan. 7th - Martha Washington Chapter #153 Installation 1:30 p.m.
Sun. Jan. 8th - George Washington Lodge #250 Installation 1:00 p.m.
Mon. Jan. 9th - Cotner Lodge #297 Installation 7:00 p.m.
Wed. Jan. 11th - Sesostris Shrine Annual Meeting 6:00 p.m.
Thurs. Jan. 12th - Three Lodge Installation Lancaster 54, Liberty 300, Lincoln 19 - 7:00
Sat. Jan. 14th - Sesostris Shrine Installation 7:00 p.m.
Sun. Jan. 15th - Bennett Lodge #94 Installation 2:00 p.m.
Sun. Jan. 15th - East Lincoln Lodge #210 Installation 2:00 p.m.
Sun. Jan. 15th - Craftsman Lodge #314 Installation 2:00 p.m.
Mon. Jan. 16th - Temple Chapter #271 Installation 7:30 p.m.
Fri. Jan. 20th - Annual Shrimp Feed - 6:00 p.m.
Sat. Jan. 21st - Sesostris Shrine Club and Unit Orientation 9:45 a.m.
Sat. Jan. 21st - Electa Chapter #8 O.E.S. Installation 2:00 p.m.
Sat. Jan. 21st - Starcraft Chapter #307 Installation 7:00 p.m.
Mon. Jan. 30th - Shrine Information Night 6:00 p.m. 
 
Thurs. Feb. 2nd - 4th - Grand Lodge Annual Communication - Kearney - Holiday Inn
Fri. Feb. 3rd - Red Cross of Constantine Breakfast - Kearney, Ne. - Holiday Inn - 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Feb. 3rd - Dine at the Shrine - Bar open 4:30 - Dinner 5:30 - 7:30 
Mon.Feb. 6th-   K.T. Commandery - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 p.m. Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wed. Feb. 8th - Chapter & Council York Rite - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wed. Feb. 8th - Shrine Stated Meeting 6:00 Social - Dinner 6:10 - Stated Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Feb. 10th - Capstone Chapter York Rite - 27th & S - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 11th - Grand Lodge Installation -  Hastings 2:00 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 11th - Shrine/Scottish Rite Valentine Day Dinner at Shrine Center 6:00 p.m.
Wed. Feb. 15th - Scottish Rite Business Meeting Social 5:15 - Dinner 5:45 Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Feb. 17th - Nile/Patrol Potato Bar - Shrine Center - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Sat. Feb 17th & 18th - Abate Motorcycle Show - Lancaster Events Center
Sat. Feb. 18th - Keystone Mid-Winter Meeting Shrine Center
Sat. Feb. 18th - Chapter Degrees Conferral at Papillion Lodge - Omaha
Wed. Feb. 22nd - Shrine Information Night at Shrine Center - 6:00 p.m.
Thurs. Feb. 23rd - Sun. Feb. 26th - Tangier Shrine Circus - Omaha
Sun. Feb. 26th - Shrine Clown's Pancake Feed - 8:00 a.m.
 
Wed. Mar. 1st - Chapter & Council York Rite - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 - Meeting 7:00 p.m. 
Mon. Mar. 6th-  K.T. Commandery - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 p.m. Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wed. Mar. 8th - Sesostris Stated Meeting - Social 6:00 - 6:10 p.m. - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Mar. 10th - Capstone Chapter York Rite - 27th & S - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Mar. 10th - Scottish Rite St. Pats Dinner - Social 6:00 - Dinner 6:30 - Program 7:00 p.m
Sat. Mar. 11th - One Day York Rite Degrees - Masonic Temple  - York, Ne. - 7:30 a.m.
Sat. Mar. 11th - Patrol St. Pats Dinner at the Shrine - 5:30 p.m.
Sat. Mar. 11th - Tangier Potentates Ball Embassy Suites - Omaha
Mon. Mar. 13th - Masters & Wardens Meeting Scottish Rite Lincoln Valley 5:30 p.m.
Tues. Mar. 14th - School of Instruction E/A Degree East Lincoln Lodge #210 27th & S 7:00
Wed. Mar. 15th - Sun. Mar. 19th - Shrine Circus - Pershing Auditorium - Lincoln
Fri. Mar. 17th - Saint Patricks Day
Sun. Mar. 19th - Electa Chapter #8 O.E.S. Charter Day Celebration 4:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Mon. Mar. 20th - School of Inst. F/C Degree North Star #227 N. 48th St. Paul 7:00 p.m.
Fri, Mar 24th - School of Inst. 1st Section Masters Lancaster #54 16th & L 7:00 p.m.
Sat. Mar. 25th - Lincoln Valley Scottish Rite Reunion in Lincoln
Sat. March 25th - Council & Commandery Degrees Conferral at Benson Temple - Omaha
Tues. Mar. 28th - School of Inst. 2nd Section Masters Craftsman #314 @ 27th & B 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Mar. 31st - Screening Clinic - Columbus
 
Sat. Apr. 1st - Off Premise Screening Clinic - St. E's - Lincoln
Mon. Apr. 3rd-  K.T. Commandery - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 p.m. - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wed. Apr. 5th - Chapter & Council York Rite - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 - Meeting 7:00 p.m. 
Wed. Apr. 5th - 8th - Grand York Rite of Nebraska - New World Inn - Columbus, Ne.
Fri. Apr. 7th - Dine at the Shrine -  Social 4:30 - Dinner 5:30 -7:30 p.m.
Sat. Apr. 8th - Red Cross of Constantine Breakfast - New World Inn-Columbus, Ne.7:00 a.m
Sat. Apr. 8th - All Committee Meeting Scottish Rite - Lincoln -
Sat. Apr. 8th - Nile Installation at Scottish Rite - Lincoln
Sun. Apr. 9th - Palm Sunday
Wed. Apr. 12th - Shrine Stated Meeting - Social 6:00 p.m. - Dinner 6:10  - Meeting 7:00p.m.
Fri. Apr. 14th - Capstone Chapter York Rite - 27th & S - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Apr. 14th - Good Friday
Sat. Apr. 15th - Director's Staff Waffleman Feed at Shrine Center - 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Sun. Apr. 15th - Easter Sunday (no bingo)
Wed. Apr. 19th. - Circus Workers Dinner at Shrine Center by Invitation - 6:00 p.m.
Thurs. Apr. 20th - Sat. Apr. 22nd - Motor Corp Midwinter Meeting - Shrine Center- Lincoln
Sat. Apr. 22nd - York Rite Spaghetti Feed & Bingo - Temple 16th & L St. - CANCELLED
Wed. Apr. 26th - Shrine Information Night at Shrine Center - 6:00 p.m.
Fri. Apr. 28th -30th Covered Wagon Campout - Wilber
Fri. Apr. 28th - Bug Eaters Spaghetti Feed at Shrine Center - 6:00 p.m. CANCELLED
Sat. Apr. 29th - Platte Valley Club Pig Roast (public)
 
Mon. May 1st-  K.T. Commandery - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 p.m. - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wed. May 3rd - Chapter & Council York Rite - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wed. May 3rd - Big Red Review Spring Game Review by Tim Cassidy Shrine C. 6:00 p.m.
Fri. May 5th - Capstone Chapter York Rite - 27th & S - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. May 5th - Candidate Dinner Shrine Center
Sat. May 6th - Mothers Day Brunch 11:00 at TBA
Sat. May 6th - Barbecue Fund Raiser Bennett Lodge #94 - 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tues. May 9th - 11th - Grand Chapter O.E.S. - Lincoln
Wed. May 10th - Sesostris Stated Meeting Social 6:00 p.m.- Dinner 6:10 - Meeting 7:00 p.m 
Fri. May 12th - 14th Covered Wagons - Indian Cave Park
Sat. May 13th - One Day Blue Lodge Conferral  Liberty Lodge #300 Masonic Temple 7:00 a
Sun. May 14th - Mother's Day
Sat. May 20th - Potentate's Ball -  Hospitality 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ball - 5:30 Holiday Inn
Sun. May 21st - Potentate's Breakfast Holiday Inn - 8:30 a.m.
Fri. May 26th -  Sun. May 28th - Sesostris Mystery Bus Trip
Mon. May 29th - Memorial Day
Tues. May 30th - June 14th - Covered Wagons Trip - South Dakota
 
Thurs. June 1st - Pawnee Shrine Circus - Columbus
Fri. June 2nd - Dine at the Shrine - Social 4:30 - Dinner 5:30 -7:30
Sat. June 3rd - Northeast Club Circus - Norfolk
Mon. June 5th -  K.T. Commandery - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 p.m. - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wed. June 7th - Chapter & Council York Rite - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wed. June 7th - Sportsman Raffle Kickoff Shrine Center - 5:30 p.m.
Thurs. June 8th - 10th Red Cross Grand Imperial Council Annual Session, Memphis, Tenn. 
Fri. June 9th - Soccer Classic Player and Parent Dinner - Hastings
Fri. June 9th - Capstone Chapter York Rite - 27th & S - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. June 9th - 10th - Rainbow Grand Assembly - Crete
Sat. June 10th - Soccer Playoffs - Hastings Girls 11:00 am. Boys 1:00 p.m.
Sat. June 10th - Shrine Spring Ceremonial - Lincoln
Mo, June 12th - Sportsman Raffle Ticket Sales Begin
Sat. June 14th - Shrine Stated Meeting - Social 6:00 p.m. - Dinner 6:10 - Meeting 7:00 p.m. 
Fri. June 16th - Shrine Bowl Player and Parent Dinner - Shrine Center
Sat. June 17th - Eastern Star Reception at Shrine Center
Sun. June 18th - Fathers Day
Tues. June 20th - 24th - Job's Daughters Grand Session - Kearney
Fri. June 23rd -25th - Covered Wagons - Broken Arrow
Fri. June 23rd - 25th - Crusi'n Classics Mystery Trip
Sat. June 24th - Lodge of Education & MSRICF Meeting - TBA
Fri. June 30th - July 1st Shrine Hospital Awareness Days
 
Sun. July 2nd - Thurs. July 6th - Shrine Imperial Session - Tampa, Fla.
Tues. July 4th - Independence Day 4th of July
Wed. July 12th - Shrine Stated Meeting - Social 6:00 - Dinner 6:10 - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. July 14th - Shrine Bowl South Team BBQ - hosted by Crete Lodge
Sun. July 16th - Shrine Bowl North Team Picnic at Nebraska Wesleyan after scrimmage
Fri. July 21st - Shrine Bowl Banquet at Ag Hall - State Fair Park -  6:00 p.m.
Sat. July 22nd - Shrine Bowl Parade - 10:00 a.m. - Oasis at SC 11:00 @ 6:30-  Game 7:00
Sat. July 22nd - Nebraska Masonic Youth Party at SC -  8:00 p.m.
Sun. July 23rd - Sesostris Shrine Sunday - Church and Brunch
Thurs. July 27th - 30th - Covered Wagons Mystery Trip
Sat. July 29th - Daughters of the Nile Luau - Shrine Center
 
Fri. Aug. 4th - Dine at the Shrine - Social 4:30 p.m.- Dinner 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Sat. Aug. 5th - Red Cross of Constantine Business Assembly - Masonic T.  York Ne. 1:00 p.m
Wed. Aug 9th - Shrine Stated Meeting - Social 6:00 p.m. - Dinner 6:10  - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Aug. 11th - Sesostris Open Golf Tournament
Fri. Aug. 18th - Scimitar Patrol BBQ at Shrine Center
Sat. Aug. 19th - Iron Nobles 5th Annual Poker Run
Wed. Aug 23rd - Shrine Information Night includes ladies - 6:00 p.m.
Fri. - Sun. 25th - 27th Red Cross of Constantine Joint Assem. w/Shiloh Columbus, Ne.  
Fri. Aug. 25th - 27th - Covered Wagons - Hayworth
Sat. Aug. 26th - Lincoln Valley Scottish Rite Reunion - Lincoln
Sun. Aug. 27th - Pre-CSSA Party TBA
Wed. Aug. 30th - Sun. Sept 3rd - CSSA Saint Charles, Mo.
 
Mon. Sept. 4th - Labor Day
Wed. Sept. 6th - Chapter & Council York Rite - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Sept. 8th - Capstone Chapter York Rite - 27th & S - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Mon. Sept. 11th  -  K.T. Commandery - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 p.m. - Meeting 7:00 p.m.?
Sat. Sept. 9th - Sportsman Raffle Drawings & BBQ at Shrine Center
Sun. Sept. 10 th - Nile Luncheon - with Speaker
Wed. Sept 13th - Shrine Stated Meeting Social 6:00 - Dinner 6:10 - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Sept. 15th - 17th - Crusi'n Classics Sleep-over - Nebraska City 
Sat. Sept. 16th - Huskers vs. USC at Los Angeles, Calif.
Fri. Sept. 22nd - 24th - Covered Wagons - Branched Oak Lake
Sat. Sept. 23rd - Chapter Degrees Conferral at Plattsmouth, Nebr.
Sat. Sept. 23rd - Director's Staff Steak Dinner Fund Raiser Shrine Center 
Mon. Sept. 25th - Shrine Information Night - Shrine Center (ladies included)
Sat. Sept. 30th - Huskers vs. Kansas - at Home
 
Mon. Oct. 2nd  -  K.T. Commandery - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 p.m. - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wed. Oct 4th - Chapter & Council York Rite - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 6th - Capstone Chapter York Rite - 27th & S - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 6th - Harley's BBQ at Shrine Center - 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. Oct 7th - Nile Harvest Moon Dinner & Dance  at Shrine Center
Sat. Oct. 7th - Huskers vs. Iowa State at Ames, Iowa
Sat. Oct. 7th - One-day York Rite Degrees - Masonic Temple -  Lincoln, Ne. 7:30 a.m.
Wed. Oct. 11th - Shrine Stated Meeting - Social 6:00 - Dinner 6:10- Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 13th - Keystone Kops Oktoberfest at S C - Social 5:30 - Dinner6:00 - Auction 7:00
Sat. Oct. 14th - DeMolay Sweetheart Ball at Shrine Center
Sat. Oct. 14th - Huskers vs. Kansas State at Manhatten, Kansas
Sun. Oct. 15th - Steak and Eggs Brunch at Masonic Temple 16th & L Street - 11:00 - 2:00 p.
Fri. Oct. 20th - Feast of Tishri at Scottish Rite
Sat. Oct. 21st - Council & Commandery Degrees at Mercer Lodge-Omaha
Sat. Oct. 21st - Huskers vs. Texas at Home
Fri. Oct. 27th - 29th - Covered Wagons - Ponca State Park
Fri. Oct. 27th - Shrine Candidate Dinner at Shrine Center - 50's Dance
Sat. Oct. 28th - Huskers vs. Oklahoma State at Stillwater, Oklahoma
Sat. Oct. 28th - Roadrunner Luncheon Meeting at Shrine Center
Sat. Oct. 28th - One Day Blue Lodge Degrees in Omaha (see below)
Sat. Oct. 28th - Nile Supreme Queen Visit
Sat. Oct. 28th - 31st - SCAFRA - Omaha
Sun. Oct. 29th - Sun. Nov. 5th - Potentates Trip - Playa del Camen
Tues. Oct. 31st - Halloween
 
Wed. Nov 1st - Sat. Nov. 4th - Acacia Melodrama
Wed. Nov. 1st - Chapter & Council York Rite - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Nov. 3rd - Capstone Chapter York Rite - 27th & S - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Mon. Nov. 6th  -  K.T. Commandery - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 p.m. - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Sat. Nov. 4th - Huskers vs. Missouri at Home
Wed. Nov. 8th - Shrine Stated Meeting - 6:00 p.m  Social - Dinner 6:10 - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Sat. Nov.11th  -  One Day Blue Lodge Conferral  Liberty Lodge #300 Masonic Temple 7:00a
Sat. Nov. 11th - Red Cross of Constantine Annual Assembly York Masonic Temple 1:30 p.m.
Sat. Nov. 11th - Veterans Day Vacant Chair Ceremony at Scottish Rite 7:00 p.m.
Sat. Nov. 11th - Huskers vs. Texas A & M at College Station, Texas
Tues.Nov. 14th - Past Masters & Awards Night Bennett Lodge #94 6:30 p.m.
Wed. Nov. 15th - Nile Soup Supper at Shrine Center 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sat. Nov. 18th - Sesostris Shrine Ceremonial
Thurs. Nov. 23rd - Thanksgiving Day
Fri. Nov. 24th or Sat. Nov. 25th - Huskers vs. Colorado at Home
Thurs. Nov. 30th - Shrine Recognition Night at Shrine Center - Social 6:00 p.m. Dinner 6:30
 
Sat. Dec. 1st - Dine at the Shrine - Social 4:30 p.m. - Dinner 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Fri. Dec. 1st - Capstone Chapter York Rite - 27th & S - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Mon. Dec. 4th  -  K.T. Commandery - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 p.m. - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 6th - Chapter & Council York Rite - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Thurs. Dec 7th - Sesostris Children's Christmas Party at Shrine Center - 6:30 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 9th - Hospital Patients Christmas Party  at Shrine Center - 10:00 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 13th - Stated Meeting  with Membership Recognition and Elections - 7:00 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 16th - Sesostris Christmas Party for Nobles & Ladies @ 6:00 Social - 7:00 dinner
Mon. Dec. 25th - Christmas Day
Wed. Dec. 27th - St. John's Lodge of Education Meeting - TBA
Sat. Dec. 30th - Divan Orientation
Sun. Dec. 31st - New Years Eve.

FOR THE YEAR 2007

Sorry to be so late in updating this calendar.  Will hope to have it up shortly. Dont forget our York Rite One-Day in Hastings on Saturday 3/31/07/.

*Sat. Mar. 31st 2007 - One Day York Rite Degrees - Masonic Temple  - Hastings, Ne. - 8:00 a.m.
*Wed. Apr. 18th - 21st - Grand York Rite of Nebraska - New World Inn - Columbus, Ne.
*Sept. 18th, 2007 - Grand Lodge Celebration of 150 Years - Lincoln
JANUARY
*Wed. Jan. 3rd -  Chapter & Council York Rite - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 - Meeting 7:00 p.m. 
*Fri. Jan. 5th - Capstone Chapter York Rite - 27th & S - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
*Sat. Jan. 6th - Sesostris Shrine Installation 7:00 p.m.
*Sat. Jan. 6th - Bennett Lodge #94 Installation 1:00 p.m.
*Sat. Jan. 6th -  Martha Washington Chapter #153 OES Installation 2:00 p.m.
*Sun. Jan. 7th -  North Star Lodge #227 Installation at 2:00 p.m.
*Sun. Jan. 7th - College View Lodge #320 Installation at 3:00 p.m. (CLOSED)
*Sun. Jan. 7th - Capitol Chapter 320 OES Installation 7:00 p.m.
*Mon. Jan. 8th -  K.T. Commandery - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 p.m. Meeting 7:00 p.m.
*Wed. Jan. 10th - Sesostris Shrine Annual Meeting 6:00 p.m.
*Thurs. Jan. 11th - Three Lodge Installation Lancaster 54, Liberty 300, Lincoln 19 - 7:00
*Sat. Jan. 13th - Sesostris Shrine Club and Unit Orientation 9:45 a.m.
*Sat. Jan. 13th - Scottish Rite Lincoln Valley Installation for all Bodies S. R. Center 7:00P.M. 
*Sat. Jan. 13th - Cotner Lodge #297 Installation 7:00 p.m.
*Fri. Jan. 19th - Annual Shrimp Feed - 6:00 p.m.
*Sat. Jan. 20th - Electa Chapter #8 O.E.S. Installation 2:00 p.m.
*Sat. Jan. 20th - Temple Chapter #271 OES Installation 7:30 p.m.
*Sat. Jan. 20th - George Washington Lodge #250 Installation 2:00 p.m. (CLOSED)
*Sun. Jan. 21st - Craftsman Lodge #314 Installation 1:00 p.m.
*Wed. Jan. 17th - Starcraft Chapter #307 Installation 7:30 p.m. W.M. Terry Sherman W.P.  Jerry Rittenburg
*Thurs. Jan. 25th - East Lincoln Lodge #210 Installation 7:00 p.m. (CLOSED)
*Thurs. Jan. 25th - MSRICF Meeting Knolls Restaurant 6:00 p.m.
*Sat. Jan. 27th - One Day Blue Lodge Degrees - Scottish Rite Center - Omaha, Ne. 8:00a.m.
*Sat. Jan. 27th - Myrtle Chapter #94 OES Installation at 2:00 p.m.
*Mon. Jan. 29th - Shrine Information Night 6:00 p.m. 
FEBRUARY
*Thurs. Feb. 1st - 3rd - Grand Lodge Annual Communication - Kearney - Holiday Inn
*Fri. Feb. 2nd - Red Cross of Constantine Breakfast - Kearney, Ne. - Holiday Inn - 7:00p.m.
TBA - Grand Lodge Installation - 
*Fri. Feb. 2nd - Capstone Chapter York Rite - 27th & S - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
*Mon.Feb. 5th-   K.T. Commandery - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 p.m. Meeting 7:00 p.m.
*Wed. Feb. 7th - Chapter & Council York Rite - 16th & L - Dinner 6:30 - Meeting 7:00 p.m.
*Wed. Feb. 7th - Shrine Stated Meeting 6:00 Social - Dinner 6:10 - Stated Meeting 7:00 p.m.
*Fri. Feb. 9th - Dine at the Shrine - Bar open 4:30 - Dinner 5:30 - 7:30 
*Wed. Feb. 14th - Shrine/Scottish Rite Valentine Day Dinner at Scottish Rite 6:00 p.m.
*Fri. Feb 16th, 17th & 18th - Abate Motorcycle Show - Lancaster Events Center
*Wed. Feb. 21st - Scottish Rite Business Meeting Social 5:15 - Dinner 5:45 Meeting 7:00 p.m.
*Thurs. Feb. 22th - Sun. Feb. 25th - Tangier Shrine Circus - Omaha
*Mon. Feb. 26th - Shrine Information Night at Shrine Center - 6:00 p.m.
 
*Sat. Mar. 31st 2007 - One Day York Rite Degrees - Masonic Temple  - Hastings, Ne. - 8:00 a.m.
 

From Justin Wendt of Liberty Lodge #300

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited
by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.


My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors
was Jewish.  And it does not bother me even a little bit when people
call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel
threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are:
Christmas trees.

 
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry
Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to
put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all
brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother
me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near
my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just
as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

 
I don't like
getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like
getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in
God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea
where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist
country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being
shoved down my throat.

 
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the
idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed
to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting
old, too.  But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and
Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

 
In light of the
many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different:
This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you
thinking.

 
Billy
Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked
her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding
Katrina)  Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful
response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we
are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get
out of our government and to get out of our lives.  And being the
gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God
to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

 
In light of
recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started
when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently)
complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then
someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou
shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.
And we said OK.

 
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank
our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be
warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed
suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said
OK.

 
Now we're
asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know
right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their
classmates, and themselves.

 
Probably, if we think about it long and hard
enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE
REAP WHAT WE SOW."

 

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and
then wonder why the world's going to hell.  Funny how we believe what
the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.  Funny how you
can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you
start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about
sharing.  Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass
freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the
school and workplace.

 
Are you laughing?

 
Funny how when
you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list
because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you
for sending it.

 
Funny how we can be more worried about what other
people think of us than what God thinks of us.

 
Pass it on if
you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you
did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain
about what bad shape the world is in.  My Best Regards.

 

Honestly and
respectfully,

 
Ben
Stein

 

From Larry Zwart In Omaha on Monday, March 26th, 2007

Soup & Chili Supper Omaha Chapter No. 1

  Ron Clarke, High Priest, has asked that an E-mail reminder be released about the Omaha Chapter No. 1 Royal Arch Masons Soup Supper on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at the Mercer's Masonic Lodge Building at 5903 Maple Street in Benson from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  The dinner features chili, potato soup, chicken noodle soup, dessert and beverage.  This is the main fund raiser for Omaha Chapter No. 1.  Please attend and support this project.

Omaha Chapter No. 1 Royal Arch Masons SOUP & CHILI SUPPER
Masonic Lodge Building at 5903 Maple Street in Benson
Saturday, March 31, 2007 -- 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Adults $5 and Children under 12 - $2.50
MENU: Chili, Potato Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup, Dessert and Beverage

May 5 - Omaha Chapter No. 1 & No. 61 RAM & Omaha Council No. 1 Installation, Papillion Masonic Lodge 2 PM
Oct 7 - Omaha Chapter No. 1 RAM Omelet Breakfast, Benson Masonic Lodge,  8 to 12 NN
Dec 8 - Commandery & Beauceant Installation, Benson Masonic Lodge, 2 PM

From Larry Zwart In Omaha on Sunday, March 25th, 2007

Reminder:   Masonic Education Symposium to be held on March 26th at Papillion Lodge at 7:00 PM.
 

From Larry Zwart In Omaha on Wed. Nov. 29th, 2006

The next one day conferral will be sponsored by Centennial Lodge No. 326, Philip O. Edwards, Secretary, 14830 Holmes Street, Omaha, Ne. 68137-1312, Phone: 895-3781. The conferral will be held at Scottish Rite Center, 202 South 20th Street (20th & Douglas Streets - South West Corner) in Downtown Omaha, Saturday January 27, 2007 at 8:00 AM.

All prospective candidates must have their petitions read by the December 2006 business meeting and approved by the Lodge business meeting in January 2007.

A coat and tie worn by candidates would add dignity to the ceremony.

The request for Courtesy Work must be sent by the lodge secretary to the Secretary of Centennial Lodge No. 326 and a copy to The Grand Lodge Office by January 26, 2007.

There will be a $15.00 charge for each candidate to cover the cost of the degree workbooks each candidate will receive.

The lunch is prepared by the Tangier Shrine Divan and is complementary to the candidates and a suggested donation of $5.00 for attendees.

The candidates should be at Scottish Rite between 7:00 AM and 7:55 AM, with the degree work starting promptly at 8:00 AM.

From Larry Zwart from Omaha, Monday July 17th, 2006  

The next one day conferral will be sponsored by Nebraska Lodge No. 1,
Jack F. Duffield, Secretary, 13917 Ohern Street, Omaha, Ne.
68137-1570, Phone: 895-3857. The conferral will be held at Scottish
Rite Center, 202 South 20th Street (20th & Douglas Streets - South
West Corner) in Downtown Omaha, Saturday October 28, 2006 at 8:00 AM.

All prospective candidates must have their petitions read and approved
by the Lodge business meeting in September 2006. A coat and tie worn
by candidates would add dignity to the ceremony.

The request for Courtesy Work must be sent by the lodge secretary to
the Secretary of Nebraska Lodge No. 1 and a copy to The Grand Lodge
Office by October 27, 2006.

There will be a $15.00 charge for each candidate to cover the cost of
the degree workbooks each candidate will receive.

The lunch is prepared by the Tangier Shrine Divan and is complementary
to the candidates and a suggested donation of $5.00 for attendees.

The candidates should be at Scottish Rite between 7:00 AM and 7:55 AM,
with the degree work starting promptly at 8:00 AM.

One-Day Blue Lodge Degree Conferral

October 28, 2006 - Sponsored by Nebraska Lodge No. 1

Scottish Rite Center, 202 South 20th Street

(20th & Douglas Streets - South West Corner) in Downtown Omaha

7:15 AM Registration to 8:00 AM Candidates must be present at 8:00 AM

8:00 AM Open Entered Apprentice Lodge

8:20 AM Necessary & Constitutional Questions

8:25 AM Preparatory Address

8:30 AM Entered Apprentice Degree

9:15 AM Working Tools

9:20 AM Lecture 1 - Questions and Answers

9:25 AM Lecture 2

9:35 AM Lecture 3

9:45 AM Charge

10:00 AM Close EA (10:00-10:25 candidates are given instruction)

10:05 AM Open Fellow Craft Lodge

10:30 AM Entered Apprentice examination of all candidates

10:35 AM Fellow Craft Degree

11:20 AM Lecture 1 - Middle Chamber Lecture

11:40 AM Letter G

11:45 AM Lecture 2 - Questions and Answers

11:50 AM Charge

12:05 PM Close Fellow Craft

12:00 NN Lunch (12:30-12:50 candidates are given instruction)

12:35 PM Open Master Mason Lodge

12:55 PM Fellow Craft examination of all candidates

1:00 PM Master Mason Degree First Section

1:40 PM Master Mason Degree Second Section

2:25 PM Lecture 1 - Questions and Answers

2:35 PM Lecture 2

2:45 PM Lecture 3

3:05 PM Charge

3:10 PM Break (3:10-3:35) candidates are given instruction)

3:40 PM Proficiency examination

3:50 PM Introductions, remarks, closing comments, etc.

4:00 PM Close Lodge

From Larry Zwart from Omaha, 6- 28-2005

Springfield Lodge No. 112 is the sponsor of the One Day Masonic Lodge to 
be held at Bellevue Lodge in Bellevue, Nebraska!!!  Bellevue Lodge is 
located at 1908 Franklin Street in Bellevue.  Candidates should report on 
Saturday, July 16, 2005, between 6:30 AM and 6:55 AM.  The Lodge is 
located in the old part of Bellevue across the street (West) from the park 
and just South of the old Presbyterian Church.  Parking is available on 
the street and the lot next to the building.  The degree work will take 
till about 4:00 PM.  Please remind all candidates that a coat and tie 
would add dignity to the ceremony.
   Secretaries need to complete a GL-323 for their candidates (Request to 
Confer Degrees Between Nebraska Lodges) and foward it to Springfield Lodge 
through the Grand Lodge Office before July 15th!!!!

One-Day Blue Lodge Degree Conferral  July 16, 2005
Bellevue Masonic Lodge, 1908 Franklin Street in Bellevue, Nebraska

6:45 a.m. Registration to 7:00 a.m.
7:00 a.m. Open Entered Apprentice Degree
7:05 a.m. Questions and Preparatory Address
7:30 a.m. Entered Apprentice Degree
8:10 a.m. Working Tools
8:20 a.m. Lecture 1 - Questions and Answers
8:30 a.m. Lecture 2
8:40 a.m. Lecture 3
8:50 a.m. Charge
9:10 a.m. Call off     (9:15-9:45 candidates are given instruction)
9:20 a.m. Open Fellow Craft Degree
9:45 a.m. Entered Apprentice examination of all candidates
10:00 a.m. Fellow Craft Degree
10:40 a.m. Lecture 1 - Middle Chamber
11:00 a.m. Lecture 2 - Questions and Answers
11:10 a.m. Charge
11:20 a.m. Call off     (11:20-12:00 candidates are given instruction)
11:25 a.m. Open Master Mason Degree
12:00 a.m. Lunch
12:30 p.m. Fellow Craft examination of all candidates
12:40 p.m. Master Mason Degree First Section
1:20 p.m. Break
1:30 p.m. Master Mason Degree Second Section
2:20 p.m. Lecture 1 - Questions and Answers
2:30 p.m. Lecture 2
2:40 p.m. Lecture 3
3:00 p.m. Charge
3:10 p.m. Call off     (3:10-3:35 candidates are given instruction)
3:35 p.m. Proficiency examination
3:45 p.m. Introductions, remarks, closing comments, etc.
4:00 p.m. Close Lodge


 

For a complete rundown of all Greater Omaha Tri-county Events  compiled by First Lodge, copy and paste this in your browser address; http://www.firstlodge.com/MASONIC-ACTIVITIES.html 

My God is Love

One of the most inspiring songs that was written by United States Senator Orrin Hatch is the following song whose music was written by Janice Kopp Perry. It will be necessary to go to Orrin Hatch's website www.hatchmusic.com  to download a copy of RealPlayer 8 Basic Free Edition to hear this very beautiful song.  The address is: mygod(1).ra. To return to the theme music for this page go back or forward and return to the page. To clarify the words that must be understood, here they are:

My God is Love

Words by Orrin G. Hatch, Music by Janice Kapp Perry, Choir Soloist Tammy Robinson

Verse 1: Chorus:
My God is Love My very soul
He lifts me from the depths Requires his daily love
He gives me hope in darkest hours
He grants me daily breath His spirit bears me up
My God is Love My love for him
He rules with tenderness is built upon the Rock
And when I pray Of perfect trust
He hears and loves to bless For this I know
  My God is Love

       

Verse 2: Verse 3:
My God is Love My God is Love
He walks with me each day As constant as the sun
His love and light Each gift of nature
Illuminate my way Testifies of him
My God is Love My God is Love
And in this world of sin Who died that I might live
He helps me see His perfect life
That I am safe with him The purest sweetest gift
   
  Repeat Chorus
   
  For this I know
  My God is Love.

        On Membership

This e-mail came to me by Shriners 2000. It was written by a young Noble  from Karem Shrine and it made a lot of sense to me and I quote:

               I don't really know how to start this email.  It may be a little long so please bare with me.  I have been reading all the emails lately and have only this to offer.  We are members of this group to promote membership and exchange ideas on how to accomplish membership gains in our respective temples.


       To give you all a little background on me; I have been a member of the Shrine for a little over four years now, and have served as Gen. Membership Chairman for the last two years.  I am currently serving my third year in this capacity.  I joined Masonry in 1997.  I was really excited about this and got really active.  I became a ritualist and earned a class A esoteric certificate in 1998.  I served as master in 2000 and went on to serve as District Masonic Relations officer as well as lodge education officer.  We have about 400 members in my blue lodge and like most lodges about 10% are active.   I also joined the Scottish and York Rites and serve in various positions there.  When I first joined all I heard people talking bout was membership and how we were declining.  To be honest, I got tired of hearing about it.


       I was asked to be the Gen. Membership Chairman for Karem Shrine in 2003.  I went to the membership school in Tampa and listened to what they had to say.  In 2003, Imperial started the "Year of the Shrine Mason" program.  I guess I got lucky because Karem ended that program as the #1 temple in Texas and the #13 temple in North America.  I could not manage to show a positive gain for the whole year though, and we ended up with a 2% loss in 2003.  In 2004 we got a little bit luckier and were the only temple in the state of Texas to have a membership gain.


       I found that the biggest problem in my temple was suspensions.  I realized early on that I couldn't do anything about deaths; although I did tell all the nobles a few times that nobody was allowed to die anymore because it made membership gains really hard.  I spent many hours on the phone calling every noble in Karem who was in danger of going suspended to try to talk them into paying their dues.  I found that personal contact is the key to retention.  It also helped that I was working with a Potentate who understood that the needs of the members were more important than the money.  We were able to identify members who were along in years and not able to afford their dues for various reasons.  We placed these nobles on a reduced dues class which covered per capita and the hospital assessment.  In some cases we carried the nobles who just could not afford it because of medical reasons.


       In the recruitment and retention areas we tried to make our temple more family friendly.  We encourage our nobles to bring their children to our dances and we provide child care.  We have more family events and encourage nobles to bring non-shriners and non-masons to these events so they can see what we are about.  We also have done surveys of the members to find out what they would like to see at the shrine and have tried to incorporate those ideas into our temple.


       As far as attracting younger members, I offer this; younger members want tradition.  We have heard all about the legendary Shrine and all the stories of how it used to be.  We want the same thing; we want to make our own stories.  I say we because I recently turned 34 and consider myself a younger member.   We need to get rid of the myth that you have to be rich to be a shriner or that the shrine is only for the elite.   We want a chance to show what we can do and be taken seriously as contributing members to the future of our fraternity.


       Membership has to be the main focus of every Shrine Temple.  It has to be the main focus for the entire Masonic family.  We need to do things WITH the other bodies and involve everyone.  I think that only then will be start growing as a whole again

Thanks for listening,
  Mike Turner
  Oriental Guide
  Karem Shrine

 

 

Freemasonry is the World's largest and oldest fraternal organization. Masonry evolved from the guilds of the ancient cathedral/temple builders and stands today as a fraternity promoting brotherly love (for all mankind), relief (for  the distressed and destitute), and truth (in our dealings with others) and a higher moral respect and understanding of all mankind.  

Masonry teaches through allegory and symbolism of the ancient operative guilds the importance of integrity and fidelity. Masonry is not a religion, but requires a belief in a supreme being, the Master Architect of the Universe, who guides us by Divine will. Masons believe, and have a respect for all things created, patriotism, benevolence, and a temperance for the beliefs and free opinion of others.

Masons view the entire human species as one family, and under one supreme being. All Masons view themselves equal to each other and on the level with all other Masons regardless of social or political status. Masonry regards no man for the clothes he wears, the house in which he lives, the kind of car he drives, or the other luxuries he owns or uses. All Masons are equal to each other in the Lodge Room, and are clothed in the same manner. The apron is the only apparel we see. Masons stand before God equal to one another, and the apron is the sign of equality.     

From the writings of our Illustrious Brother Albert Pike comes this: The "secrets" in Masonry are personal insights. They are secret not because we are pledged to conceal them, but because they cannot be truly communicated from one person to another.  In other words, we have to experience and learn from the degrees and apply them to our own personal thoughts. Therefore, the secrets have been revealed to us in this manner and we have gained further light. This takes ALL of the bodies of  Freemasonry to communicate this light. We also learn from the writings of our Past Masters as well as their actions, for they are as true today as they were in the times that they lived. It is for each individual Mason to discover the secret of Freemasonry.

WHO ARE THE MASONS?

The largest fraternal organization in the world works to build brotherhood, and moral character

The following is an article written for the Lincoln Journal Star Newspaper on Saturday, March 13th, 2004 by the Lincoln Journal Star Reporter Mr. Bob Reeves. He interviewed Dr. James F. Brown Jr. a professor of accounting at University of Nebraska - Lincoln and Past Grand Master of Masons of Nebraska, John Parsons, Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska, Mr. James Foote of the Lincoln Lending Group, Kent I. Hemmerling, Worshipful Master of Lancaster Lodge #54, Lincoln, Nebraska and Les Seiler, an attorney in Hastings, and the present Grand Master of Masons of Nebraska. The article is quite long but very well written and it is quoted in its entirety:

One of the most highly skilled crafts in the middle ages was that of the stone masons, who traveled from place to place building castles and cathedrals. The stonemasons formed guilds, akin to trade unions to assure that everyone calling himself a mason was properly trained and qualified. They were called freemasons, because unlike serfs tied to the land, they were free to move from job to job. While working on a job, they lived in buildings called lodges. To be admitted to a lodge, freemasons demonstrated their membership in the guild by secret handshakes and passwords. Masons were also known by the leather aprons that they wore to protect themselves from rough stones and tools.

These  practical aspects of the masons craft have carried over into the modern organization known as Freemasonry or just Masonry. The lodges, aprons, secret grips and passwords continue. But, rather than building edifices of stone, today's Masons focus on building brotherhood and moral character. Today, the Masons are the largest fraternal organization in the world, with some six million members on all continents. But Masons have also been the subject of controversy, misunderstandings, and even violence.

The popular novel "The DaVinci Code" by Dan Brown draws links between the Masons and secret societies that supposedly have passed down beliefs and practices considered heretical by the Roman Catholic Church. Lately, there were news stories about violence involving Masons. In Istanbul, two suicide bombers stormed a Masonic Lodge, killing one person and wounding five. That same day, it was reported that a man was fatally shot at a Masonic Lodge in Patchogue, New York when a gun went off during an initiation ceremony. A Masonic leader said that guns are not part of any officially sanctioned Masonic ceremony.

The organization known as Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons traces its origins to 1717 in England, when four Masonic lodges joined together to form a grand lodge, explained John Parsons. Within a few decades, it had grown to a significant organization that included members of British society, he said. It also spread rapidly to the European Continent and American Colonies, where it became an influential force in building a new nation.

Masonry continued to grow during the 19th & 20th centuries, becoming a popular organization for business and professional men worldwide. It has grown largely because of its emphasis on character building and good will said James F. Brown Jr. "What I really like about the organization is this: Its an organization where you have men of high integrity,"  he said. "They constantly try to improve themselves. They are men who are very moral." But, he admits that the Masons are something of a mystery to outsiders, who wonder about the rituals they perform and the strange symbols that they use.

One of the chief mistakes about Masonry is made by those who call it a "secret society" , he said. "There is nothing secret, except the handshakes, and the passwords, which are like any other fraternal organizations," he said. The so-called Blue Lodges, which are the entry points into Masonry, are open to men of all faiths and backgrounds, he said. "Masonry isn't a religion and we do not ask a persons religion. We only ask if they believe in a supreme being."

New members must be voted into a lodge, but it is not supposed to be a matter of money, prestige, or family background, Brown said. "Race, creed, color, none of that matters to a Mason."

Once joining the Masons, a man progresses through three "degrees" called Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. At each level, he goes through an exercise like a drama in which lodge members play parts, teaching him valuable lessons. He is also given reading material and a small amount of memory work and has to answer a series of questions before moving to the next level. At one time it took at least three months - sometimes more than a year - to advance through the three degrees, but now most candidates do it in three weeks.

"The Masonic Degrees teach the great lessons of life - the importance of honor and integrity, of being a person on whom others can rely, of being both trusting and trustworthy, of realizing that you have a spiritual nature as well as a physical or animal nature, of the importance of self control, of knowing how to love and be loved, of knowing how to keep confidential what others tell you so they can "open up" without fear,"  according to a pamphlet entitled "What's a Mason?"

The "degree work" and other meetings take place in the main meeting room of the lodge, which looks something like England's House of Commons. Benches line the sides of the room, with the alter in the middle on which an open Bible is placed with a brass square and compass, the main symbols of Masonry, lying on it. "The compass draws a circle, which means circumscribing your desires ," Brown said. "The square means to square your action by the square of your virtue."

In most American lodges, the Christian Bible is used, but it could be the Jewish Torah, the Quran, or a holy book of Hinduism, Buddhism or other faith, Brown said. The Bible isn't read or recited in the rituals, but sometimes men are asked to place a hand on it when taking an oath. Masons have been criticized for requiring "blood oaths," but any such references are merely traditional carryovers from the early days of Masonry and have only symbolic significance, Brown said.

At the East end of the room is a raised platform where the highest ranking officer of the lodge , the worshipful master sits. On the wall above is a framed letter "G" which is interpreted to stand for both God and geometry, the later referring not only to mathematics but to an orderly and well balanced life. Participants generally wear suits and ties, but all wear white aprons symbolizing purity.  "The idea is to keep your life spotless," Brown said. Lodge officers' aprons are adorned with special symbols, and they also wear ornate chains with a pendent known as jewels, identifying their office.

Masons move up through the offices, giving men an opportunity to learn different skills. "For me it's a personal leadership development program." said member James Foote.

Although the organization formerly began in England, some Masons trace its origins to the architect of King Solomon's Temple. Masons also draw a connection with the Knights Templar, an order formed in 1118 during the Crusades. Many of the leaders of the French Revolution were Masons, Parsons said. In America, at least a third of the founding fathers - signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and the members of the Continental Army - were Masons, including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and General Lafayette, as well as Benedict Arnold.

There is evidence that the Boston Tea Party was hatched at a Masonic lodge in Boston. Many principals of Masonry such as "all men are created equal" are expressed in our founding documents. After Washington became president, he performed a Masonic ceremony to lay the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol.

Composers Mozart and Liszt were Masons, as were Goethe and Rudyard Kipling. A number  of other U.S. Presidents were Masons, including Theodore Roosevelt and Harry Truman. Today, there are about 13,200 Masonic lodges nationwide. There are 159 lodges in Nebraska, with more than 17,000 members.

Despite the widespread nature of Masonry, many outside the organization still see it as something mysterious or even evil. A number of Christian denominations have opposed Masonry over the years. Some objected to the taking of oaths while others feared that the rituals represented a rival religion. In 1738, Pope Clement xii ordered the excommunication of all Catholics who had joined Freemasonry, and for more than two centuries the church specifically forbade membership in Masonic organizations.

In l983, the Vatican issued a new code of cannon law which omitted the specific reference to Masons, leading some to conclude that the ban had been lifted. However, subsequent statements from the Vatican made it clear the even though they were not referred to by name, the principals of Masonry were still incompatible with church teachings. Some of the objections included the alleged secrecy of the organization and relative in regard to matters of faith.

In 1996, Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of the Lincoln Roman Catholic Diocese gained national attention when he said local Catholics would be excommunicated if they joined any of a dozen prohibited organizations, including the Masons and Masonic-affiliated organizations. That prohibition still stands, said father Mark Huber, chancellor for the Diocese. Nevertheless, Brown said he knows a number of Catholics who are Masons and apparently sees no conflict.

With the popularity of the "DaVinci Code,"  public interest has grown in the Masons, Knights Templars and secret societies in general. However, Foote said, he believes most Masons" would be just as shocked by 'The DaVinci Code' as anybody else." In fact, he said, most American Masons are members of churches and follow the traditional teachings of Christianity.

Masons never officially excluded anyone because of race, but in fact the lodges reflected the segregation of American Society, Parsons said. A parallel black organization is Prince Hall Masons. Fifteen years ago the Nebraska Grand Lodge was one of the first in the country to recognize Prince Hall Masons, who are now recognized in about half of the states.

Once a man is a Master Mason, he then may join any of the three other Masonic organizations: the York Rite, Scottish Rite Masons, or the Shrine (Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.) Other groups are Eastern Star, a Masonic organization for women, Job's Daughters, for girls who have a father or other relative who is a Mason; and the Order of DeMolay, for boys and Rainbow Girls, neither of which require a Masonic connection. The Order of DeMolay takes its name from Jacques DeMolay, the last grand master of the Knights Templar, who was burned at the stake in 1314.

All Masonic organizations are involved in charitable and service projects. The Shriners operate the children's hospitals which provide medical care to children. Scottish Rite Lodges sponsor clinics for children with speech impairments, and York Rite Lodges support free eye care. Job's Daughters support an endowment that provides free hearing aids to needy kids. The Blue Lodges in Nebraska sponsor the Masonic Band Camp each summer for high school musicians from across the state. Lodge #54 gives scholarships to non-traditional students at Southeast Community College and provide food for the annual Shrine Bowl, said Kent I. Hemmerling, current worshipful master of that lodge. The lodge also plans to work with Matt Talbot Kitchen to feed the hungry. Many local Masons said they joined the Masons because their father or grandfather was a Mason. Brown, who grew up in Tennessee, said his father was a Mason but never invited his son to join, following a tradition that forbids Masons to solicit members.

Les Seiler, an attorney in Hastings, and current Grand Master of Masons of Nebraska, noted that Masonic organizations have been suffering from declining memberships as has been the case with other fraternal organizations nationwide. Nebraska Masons no longer have a prohibition on solicitation, which has kept the membership decline  to 2 percent per year compared with 5 percent or more in states where recruiting is prohibited. Seiler hopes to turn that around this year with a statewide campaign. Many younger men are joining the Masons today because they want to network with older men, he said. The youngest member of Lodge #54 is Blair Talley, 18, a student at Doane College, Crete. Before becoming a Master Mason in January, he was a member of DeMolay, an experience which he said " made me a better leader and a more well rounded person." Masons have fun, fellowship and do service projects, but the bottom line is building character, several members said. "What brings us all together is a desire for seeking a moral way of living."

Masons are Visible

Masonic activities are publicly visible in many ways. At the funeral of a Mason, members of his lodge perform a ceremony wearing their aprons & jewels, and using symbolic tools such as a trowel, rule & square.

Masons are often called on to perform cornerstone ceremonies at new buildings, following the same ritual George Washington used to lay the cornerstone of the U.S.Capitol in 1773. Last year, Masons helped lay 12 cornerstones for public for public organizations such as churches, schools, libraries, and hospitals in Nebraska.

The state headquarters for the Masons is the Grand Lodge, located at 1240 North 10th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. It has informational brochures about the Masons, a library and museum with Masonic memorabilia and records, since Masonry came to Nebraska in 1857.

There are 11 Masonic Lodges in Lincoln, including three that meet at the Masonic Temple at 1635 L Street in Lincoln.

Shrine activities  are centered at Sesostris Shrine Center, 1717 Yolande Ave. Shriners sponsor the Annual Shrine Circus in March, and the Shrine Bowl and Parade on July 24th, 2004.

Job's Daughters sponsored a special concert in March to raise money for Hike (Hearing Impaired Kids' Endowment.) The musical group "Cross Rhythm"  performed at Saint Mark's United Methodist Church.

For more information about the Masons, check www.msana.com the Website of the Masonic Service Association of America.

That all Masons may know what other brethren and sisters of our Masonic Society may think and believe, the following account of Masonic History comes from a Website  of Prince Hall Masons in Gainesville, Florida. The website address is as follows: www.angelfire.com/in4/eastwardboundfl/   

What is a Mason? He is a man who in his heart has been duly and truly prepared, has been found worthy and well qualified, has been admitted to the fraternity of builders and travel in foreign lands in search of that which was lost. A Word.

"In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." (John 1:1) Here then is the eternal paradox. The Word is lost, yet it is forever with us. The light that illuminates the distant horizon shines in our hearts. "Thou would'st not seek me hadst thou not found me." "That which we seek lives in our souls." We travel afar only to find that which we hunger for at home.

 Freemasonry, is not a religion, but it is essentially religious. Most of its legends are of a sacred nature; much of it is woven into the structure of Christianity. A religion is a divinely inspired code of morals. A religious person is one inspired to living by this code. He is identified by the code, which is his source of illumination. Each religion that seek to unfold and preserve that invisible spark in man named SPIRIT, are said to be spiritual.

 That which gives man a knowledge of himself can be inspired only by the Self and God is the Self in all things. In truth, He is the inspiration and the thing inspired. It has been stated in scripture that God was the Word and that the Word was made flesh. Man's task now is to make flesh reflect the glory of that Word, which is within the soul of himself. It is this task which has created the need of religion, not one faith alone but many creeds, each searching in its own way, each meeting the needs of individual people, each emphasizing one point above all the others.

Most of the religions of the world are like processions: some lead and many follow. Man follows in his search for truth and illumination. The Christian follows the gentle Nazarene up the winding slopes of Calvary. The Buddhist follows his great emancipator through his wanderings in the wilderness. The Muslim makes his pilgrimage across the desert sands to the black tent at Mecca. Many travel in confusion to enter their own sanctuary to find Truth and light.

 Man is climbing an endless flight of steps, with his eyes fixed upon the goal at the top. Many cannot see the goal, and only one or two steps are visible before them. He has learned, however, one great lesson, namely, that as he builds his own character he is given strength to climb the steps. Hence a Mason is a builder of the temple of character. He realizes that he best serves God when he joins with the Great Architect in building more noble structures in the universe below. All who are attempting to attain mastery through constructive efforts are Masons at heart, regardless of religious sect or belief. The Masonic brother pledges himself to assist all other temple-builders in whatever endeavors he may choose.  Freemasonry is a philosophy, which is essentially creedless. It is the truer for it. Its brothers bow to truth regardless of the bearer; they serve light, instead of wrangling over the one who brings it. In this way they prove that they are seeking to know better the will and the dictates of the Invincible One.

 The Legendary Period

 According to the legends contained in the rituals of Freemasonry, the origins of the Masonic fraternity date from the construction of the Temple of King Solomon, as described in the Bible The undertaking was so vast that a new form of organization was required to ensure that the Temple was completed in a timely and correct fashion, and this led to the development of organization of the stonemasons and architects into various grades and classes with responsibilities as described in the rituals.

Many of the characters mentioned in the books of Kings and Chronicles in the Hebrew Scriptures are encountered in the context of various degrees of Masonry; they include King Solomon himself, Hiram (King of Tyre, who supplied many of the materials, especially cedar wood, used to construct the temple), Hiram Abiff, and others.

Some of the degrees of the Scottish Rite and other now-defunct degrees date to even earlier periods and other cultures, such as the times of the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness (Book of Numbers) and the mythologies of the Ancient Egyptians, as well as the immediate postdiluvian period of the sons of Noah.

Although some Masonic brothers may take the ritual to be historical truth, there are no true Masonic authorities who give any credence to an actual organization of Masons in ancient times.

What is known is that there were fraternal organizations of the ancient world, both among the pagans and among the Hebrews. In the former case, the organizations were generally connected with the so called mysteries, of which the Eleusinian  Mysteries were among the best known. The most prominent example of the latter is the group known as the Pharisees.

The Mysteries had rites of initiation, division into lesser and greater mysteries, with trials to be passed before receiving knowledge, and secrets to be concealed. The secrets of these Mysteries were kept well enough that later ages can only guess at what some of them were. It is possible that knowledge of the nature of the Mysteries was in the hands of the founders of the Masonic order and gave form to some of the present-day structure of Masonry

The Pharisees did not have concealed knowledge, but they did have limitations on membership and addressed one another as "chaver" cha VER), analogous to the usage of Brother or Companion in today's Freemasonry. New members were also required to take an oath to obey the Commandments and the Law in the presence of three members.  The Pharisees are viewed quite different by adherents to Judaism than by Christians; to the latter the term "Pharisee" is given an extremely negative connotation, nearly synonymous with hypocrite.  To the Jew, the Pharisaic structure is essentially that which constitutes Judaism of the past 2000 years; the Pharisees were seen as the group that prevented the religion from becoming extinct with the final destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem. A full exploration of the historical circumstances for this divergence of opinion is beyond the scope of this document.

 However, some knowledge of Pharisaic practices may have been available to the founders of Masonry; it is also possible that there is only one really effective way to organize a fraternity, and that that way has been persistently and independently discovered repeatedly.

 The Mediaeval Period

 The generally accepted origin of Freemasonry, until recently, has been in the stonemason's guilds of the Middle Ages. The tern "free" in Freemason indicated that the Mason was not bound to the land as a serf, or otherwise restricted as in villeinage or socage, but was free to travel about the country, as was necessary for one whose trade might require construction in many different locations. This was remarkable in an age when almost no one traveled more than twenty miles from his home during his entire lifetime

 Masons in the Middle Ages constructed many edifices, but particular attention has always focused on the great cathedrals built during that period. In order to construct such marvels, it was necessary ­to have considerable education in the principles of geometry, arithmetic, and engineering, and the guild of stonemasons, including the architects, became one of the few repositories of learning outside the clergy.

As the wave of cathedral building ebbed and the Renaissance began, it is supposed that the Freemasons of the time sought to maintain their organizations by accepting into membership for discussion of the philosophical and other knowledge of the Lodge, certain gentlemen and members of the upper classes who were not actual workers in stone. It is this process of acceptance, along with the original freedom, that the term "Free and Accepted Masons" comes from. These lodges are then supposed to have evolved into the modern, purely philosophical (or "speculative," as the Masonic term has it) Lodges.

 However, two other theories of the mediaeval origin of Freemasonry have recently been advanced. One, whose best  known advocate was the late John Robinson (author of Born in Blood), suggests that the Masons were descendants of the Knights Templar. The Templars were a powerful and wealthy order of knights during the Crusades who were suppressed by the King of France and the Pope during the early 14th century. Many Templars were put to death, but some survived. Some of the Masonic degrees and orders deal with these events. It is hypothesized that the former Templars preserved their fraternity by disguising it in the form of Freemasonry.

An even more recent theory traces the origin of Masonry not to the stonemason guilds, most of which appear to have simply ceased to exist, rather than converting into speculative lodges, but to persecuted Catholics of the conflict that raged in England during much of the 17th century. Cyril Batham, of the famous Quatuor Coronati Research Lodge in England, suggests that these individuals founded Lodges as a way to preserve their contacts  while hiding from the Anglicans during the various Jacobite upheavals. The lengthy hostility of the Catholic Church to Freemasonry would appear to cast doubt upon this thesis, but Batham's reputation is so prodigious that his work deserves serious consideration.

 The Modern Period In Europe

The modern period of Freemasonry dates from the founding of the first Grand Lodge on St. John's Day, 1717, in London. Four "old lodges" gathered together at the Goose and Gridiron Ale House and organized the first Grand Lodge.

The time was ripe for an institution of free-thinkers such as Masonry to spread in the Western world. The Enlightenment was beginning on the Continent, while England itself was still in transition to a more liberal state, having cast off the "divine-right" concept of monarchy with James II only a few years previously; the insurrection of "The 15" was just past, with that of "the 45" yet to come. The organizations of Masonry spread rapidly from England to the Continent, particularly to France, Austria-Hungary, and the Germanic states. Shortly, lodges would be organized in the New World as well.

Rival English Grand Lodges

The first Grand Lodge in England was soon to be challenged by a rival organization. Some authors have termed this a schism, but other recent scholarship claims that the rival Grand Lodge originated from Lodges in other parts of the British Isles, notably Ireland. Whatever the case, the new organization sought to attract members by claiming greater authenticity through the use of the term "Antient" as part of their name. The Antient (or Ancient) Masons were also known as "Athol" Masons, from the Duke of Athol being one of their early Grand Masters.

Lodges in the New World

 The Ancient and Modern Lodges in England were eventually merged into one organization, the United Grand Lodge of England, in 1813. By this time, however, both groups of Masons had been chartering lodges in the New World. This fact accounts for the great diversity of ritual content among the states in America, although the precise nature of the ritual cannot be determined by examining whether a particular Grand Lodge styles itself as "Ancient Free and Accepted Masons" or merely "Free and Accepted Masons." There is considerable disagreement among scholars as to what the various origins are, in fact, but it appears to this author that the "Ancient" ritual is considerably briefer than the "Modern" version; the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania probably has what is closest to the pure Ancient ritual in use, while a number of states near and along the northern border of the US (e.g., Connecticut, Minnesota, Wisconsin) seem to have the most lengthy form of ritual A significant difference among states is whether the ritual is kept unwritten or whether a cipher of the ritual is permitted to be used; the presence of a cipher indicates influence by the Modern organization, although recent changes in the introduction of ciphers in some jurisdictions have undermined this particular distinction. (Note that some parts of the ritual, termed the monitorial or exoteric work, have always been permitted to be printed.)

 Lodges in the U.S.

The first Lodges in the US were chartered directly by Lodges or Grand Lodges in Britain; after awhile, however, Lodges in the colonies would issue warrants to form new Lodges themselves and eventually organized their own (Provincial, during the colonial period, but independent later on) Grand Lodges. The first truly independent Grand Lodge in America was organized by four Lodges meeting in Virginia.  As each had been chartered by a different Grand Lodge in other states, the resulting ritual was a mixture of that in use in the other states. At the present time (1995), there is a Grand Lodge for each of the 50 states, as well as one for the District of Columbia. That is a fairly recent development; until just a few years ago, the Grand Lodge of California had jurisdiction over the Lodges in Hawaii. The Grand Lodges in the United States observed a custom of exclusive geographic jurisdiction (with some few exceptions In Alaska); no Grand Lodge may charter Lodges in the territory of another Grand Lodge. This custom does not prevail in other parts of the world.

Masonry in Latin America

 Masonry also reached Latin America during the late 18th and early 19th century, despite opposition from conservative political and religious elements. Their opposition was probably well founded, as a number of the liberators of South America (e.g., Simon Bolivar) were Freemasons.

 Later American Masonic History

 Masonry played a considerable role in early American history. Many of the Founding Fathers were Masons (about 1/3 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and a like proportion of those attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 were Masons), including Franklin and Washington. The tale that a Lodge meeting was held and adjourned to organize the Boston Tea Party, however, is entirely apocryphal. It is probable that some of those who dressed as Indians and dumped tea overboard into the Boston Harbor were Masons, but the Lodge itself was not used to program the event. There are tales of British troops carefully taking over American Masonic property during the Revolutionary War and turning it over to proper Masonic authorities under a flag of truce.

 Masonry in America experienced a considerable setback during the 1820's, when a period of Anti-Masonic sentiment reached such a level as to have a candidate run for President on a platform of opposition to the Lodge. During that period, many Masonic bodies turned in their charters and ceased to exist. The uproar stemmed from a fraudulent claim that Masons had executed a turncoat brother in New York for exposing the secrets of the Lodge. Like the Know-nothings and anti-Catholic fever of a few years later, the fanaticism passed from the scene, but it was some time before Masonic bodies returned to their former prominence.

 During the American Civil War, Masons fought on both sides, but there are many tales of battlefield kindness rendered to a Brother found wearing a uniform of the other color, as well as stories of prisoners of war allowed to attend Lodge on parole, or Masonic funerals conducted for a fallen enemy soldier.

 Masonry played an important role in the social life of a significant number of Americans throughout the later 19th and early 2Oth centuries Most prominent members of society were also members of the Lodge, and often, Lodge events were the lion's share of what constituted entertainment in many small towns. Other fraternal organizations arose to compete with the Masons, such as the Grange, the Elks, the Moose, and the Odd Fellows. Masonic charity supported many through hard times, long before the invention of the social safety net in the 1930s.

Membership in the Masonic fraternity reached a peak in the late 1950s and has been declining since that time. Similar phenomena have affected other fraternal organizations, as well as business clubs, churches, and the like. There are a member of explanations advanced for this decline, such as the rise of mass forms of entertainment available in the home, the greater demands of the work and commuting environment, and so on. No one has a certain answer of how the decline may be reversed, but it seems that the prominent role that the Lodge played in the social structure of many towns and urban areas is not likely to be seen again until the overall social structure of the United States changes back to a more outward orientation. Surveys currently show that many American men are simply unaware of the existence of the Masonic fraternity but might he interested in joining an organization of its description; fifty or more years ago, there was virtually no one unaware of the nature of the Lodge.

African-American Freemasonry

      Prince Hall is recognized as the Father of Black Masonry in the United States. He made it possible for us to be recognized and enjoy all the privileges of free and accepted masonry. Many rumors of the birth of Prince Hall have arisen. Few records and papers have been found of him either in Barbados where it was rumored he was born, but no record of birth, by church, or state has been found there, and none in Boston. One wildly circulated rumor states that "Prince Hall was free born in the British West Indies. His Father, Thomas Prince Hall was an Englishman and his mother a free colored woman of French extraction. In 1765 he worked his passage on a ship to Boston, where he worked as a leather worker, a trade learned from his father. Eight year later he became a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) with a charge in Cambridge, "This account paraphrased from the widely discredit Grimshaw book of 1903, is suspect in many areas.

 Black Freemasonry began when Prince Hall and fourteen other free Black men were initiated into Lodge No.441, Irish Constitution, attached to the 38th Regiment of Foot, British Army Garrisoned at Castle Williams (now Fort Independence) Boston Harbor on March 1775. The Master of the Lodge was Sergeant John Batt. Along with Prince Hall, the other newly made masons were Cyrus Johnson, Bueston Slinger, Prince Rees, John Canton, Peter Freeman, Benjamin Tiler, Duff Ruformm, Thomas Santerson, Prince Rayden, Cato Speain, Boston Smith, Peter Best, Forten Howard and Richard Titley.

 When the British Army left Boston, this Lodge No.441 granted Prince Hall and his brethren authority to meet as a lodge, to go in procession on St. Johns Day and as a Lodge to bury their dead; but they could not confer degrees nor perform any other Masonic "work ". Nine years these brethren enjoyed their limited privileges as Masons.

Finally in March 1784 Prince Hall petitioned the Grand Lodge of England, through a Worshipful Master of a subordinate Lodge in London (William Moody of Brotherly Love Lodge No.55) for a warrant or charter. The Warrant to African Lodge No 1 of Boston is the most significant and highly prize document known to the Prince Hall Masonic Fraternity. Through it our legitimacy is traced, and on it our case rests. It was granted on September 29 1784 delivered to Boston on April 29, 1787 by Captain James Scott, brother-in-law of John Hancock.

International Free and Accepted Masons and Order of the Eastern Star was first Incorporated as a religious fraternity in 1950 by our founder the Rev. Dr. William V. Banks, and today is the largest international Masonic fraternity known in the country. There are over 1 million members and their families making up our total membership.

 International Masons is a professional fraternal order.  Its first purpose is to guide new members in carrying out an obligation of self-discipline, to become better members of society.  To provide an educational program to impart the latest proceedings and moral practices, and foster such knowledge, understanding, and unity as well as afford you the greatest help and protection while you are carrying out the part of a leader of your society.

International Masons provide the millions of dollars in capital to construct the 1st Black owned Television and Radio station in the city of Detroit.  International Masons have operated a school to train leadership among our people throughout the country.

End.

 

Most Worshipful Brother Duke Lichty,Sovereign Grand Inspector General,  Lincoln Valley, Orient of Nebraska "Freemasons: Who are we, What are we, and Where are we headed?"

Since the vote of the Imperial Council of the Shrine of North America on July 5th,2000, removing the requirement that a Mason must be a member of either the Scottish or York Rite of Freemasonry in order to be eligible to petition the Shrine, the foregoing questions have been asked of me over and over again. I have discussed this with leaders of the Symbolic Masonry, the York Rite, the Scottish Rite and the Shrine. The answer is unique to Nebraska Freemasons. It depends on who we are, what we are, and where we came from. Remember, Shriners are still Masons.

In Nebraska, we have all cooperated closely. Lodge Officers usually wear the scimitar and crescent on their lapel, and active members of the Scottish Rite and York Rite often are among the leading petition signers for the Shrine. To paraphrase Pogo, "We have met our friends, and they are us."

We do not forget that Shrine Masons are still a part of Freemasonry! From all across the great State of Nebraska, Shrine leaders have told me that they are still Masons, still Scottish Rite Masons, still York Rite Masons, and that they will continue to encourage Masons to join the Scottish Rite and York Rite. They have assured me that they will keep their Scottish Rite and York Rite memberships, and that they will continue to work for the good of the Rites. In turn, I have assured them that I am still a Shriner, and I will continue to work for the good of the Shrine, as well for all Masonry.

Who are we? We are all Masonic Brothers! What are we? We are good men who strive to become better than we are, and to make this world a better place to live for all people. Where are we headed? It is my hope that by exerting ourselves and working in the quarries  for the greater good of all who need our help, we can make all of the bodies and branches of Freemasonry healthy, alive, and a force for good in our Cities, our States, and our Nation, and still have fun and fraternity. We need to find more ways to help our fellow men, to be useful and to increase knowledge in our communities.

There are enough foes of Masonry out there, with their bigoted, un-Christian attitude toward us. Therefore it continues to be necessary for all branches of Freemasonry to cooperate and work together to make this world a better place for all.

In the face of the enemies of Freemasonry, let us never forget the words of our Most Worshipful Brother, Benjamin Franklin to his fellow signers of the Declaration of Independence: "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."  In Nebraska, we are all Freemasons. We all need to cooperate. Let us never forget the lesson of the trowel and always use it to spread the cement of Brotherly love and affection among all Masons, including Shriners and members of the Rites.

Yours in Brotherhood, Duke Lichty

 

Views on Freemasonry by a Master Mason who is the Editor of this Web Site

We learn Masonry is a progressive science and as we advance in knowledge our obligations to ourselves and to our brethren increase. Therefore, my brethren, I will try to explain my personal thoughts to you concerning our beloved craft. To me, Masonry is not a clandestine craft. We have a few secrets but they are only meant for the purpose of recognizing one Mason to another Mason or for the purpose of teaching our craft. We learn from reading newspapers of the time when our craft was being formed in Nebraska that doings of the craft was printed daily. Masons and their thoughts were respected and they had much to do with forming our State and our Government. Masons were expected to lead because of what our craft teaches.

We are now entering into a world who is the best informed society ever through the medium of cyberspace and the computer. Let us not turn our back on such a medium. Some people ask; What is the purpose of our craft? I believe that through our craft  we help to make our world a better place to live by promoting respect for all things created by God, patriotism, and a respect for and belief  of others.      

To some of our brothers who think we are giving away Masonic secrets through websites such as this, please give this some thought. How do we expect to accomplish the work of the craft if we keep it all within ourselves? We are extremely fortunate to be living in such a country that we have freedom of worship, freedom of speech, and other freedoms that we enjoy. These thoughts came from masons like us when our country was being formed.  Yes, we can help others by showing how we look and think but we constantly have to keep improving ourselves. We all should be very proud of belonging to such a group.

Most of the content of this website has been published previously, either in the Masonic News or from other Masonic Publications. The personal thoughts expressed are those that are signed by the recipients. This editor does not condone nor does this site have any commercial content of any kind. Nor is it this sites intent  to put one person above the other.  In it, we publish the doings of the lodge mostly for our members who are spread out over the world. The Lodge feels there is nothing on that  page that can not be communicated to any reader. The content of the other pages are from public openings or other public ceremonies.

In fine, my brother Masons, to help us grow and mature as a craft, we have to work in our craft and spread the cement of brotherly love, relief, and truth not only to ourselves but to our neighbors wherever dispersed.    

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Roger W. Miner
Past Master
Liberty Lodge #300
Lincoln, Nebraska

 

A quick Overview of Freemasonry for those Masons and others who would like to be more informed.

If there is one thing most people are sure they know, it's that Masons are never supposed to talk about Masonry.

bulletNot true. Oh, there are some secrets - but there's nothing in them that would interest anyone except a Mason. Almost all of the "secrets" deal with ways of recognizing each other.
But as far as Freemasonry, what it does, what it teaches, how it's organized, where it came from, what goes on in a Lodge meeting - that's open for discussion. Given a chance, we'll probably tell you more than you really wanted to know. We're excited about the Fraternity, we get a lot out of it, and we really want to share that with others.

Then why hasn't anyone ever asked me to join? People have asked me to join Rotary, Lions, and other clubs.

bulletIt's no reflection on you. There is a rule in Masonry that a person must seek admission himself. We aren't allowed to go out and twist arms.
There is a reason for that. A person needs to come to Masonry because he really wants to, not because he's been talked into it. Masonry is a real commitment. If you are a Mason and you need help, every Mason in the world MUST help you, if he possibly can. By the same token, you must be willing to help any Mason who needs it. And then there is another reason - a person has to be ready for Masonry. Masonry isn't a civic club, although we do a lot of civic projects. It is a Fraternity. We're dedicated to the growth and development of our members as human beings. A person has to be ready to grow, has to suspect that there is something more to life, and wants to know what that is, before he is really ready to become a Mason.

What goes on in a Masonic Meeting?

bulletThere are two types of meeting agenda. The first is like the business meeting of any other organization. It takes us just a bit longer to call the meeting to order, because we use a longer opening ceremony or ritual than most civic clubs do. But, it reminds us of some of the most important lessons in Masonry.
Then, when the lodge is "open", we hear the reading of the minutes, vote to pay bills, take care of old and new business, and plan projects, just like everyone else. The other type of meeting is one in which new members are received. This is done with a beautiful ritual, centuries old, which is designed to teach some important lessons and to start the person thinking about his own nature as a spiritual being.

What's the initiation like?

bulletThe Ceremonies of Masonic Initiation are meaningful and historic. Nothing humorous or embarrassing is permitted. In fact, it is a very serious Masonic offense to allow anything to happen during an initiation which is undignified or "funny".

I've heard that Masonry is a religion. Is it? Can a man be a Mason and a Christian at the same time?

bulletMasonry acknowledges the existence of God. No atheist can become a Mason. Prayer is an important part of the Masonic ritual. Masonic vows are taken in the name of God, but Masonry never tries to tell a person how he should think about God, or how he should worship God, or why he should believe. We offer no plan of salvation. We teach that man should live a good life, not because that alone will earn him entrance into heaven, but because anything else is destructive, both to himself and to those around him. It is good to be good. As to whether a man can be a Mason and a Christian, the best answer is that most us are. There are many Free Masons who belong to other faiths, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, but the majority in America are Christian. And we number many, many ministers of many different denominations. As Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, an active Freemason himself, once remarked: "Masonry encourages men to be good and that can never conflict with Christianity".

Are there any churches or religions whose members you won't accept as Masons?

bulletNo. A man's belief is his own business, and Masonry has no right to approve or disapprove of his belief.

What about those "Secret Vows" I hear so much about?

bulletThe exact words of the vows are secret. That's one of the ways we recognize each other. The contents of the vows are not. In less formal language than we use in the Ritual, a Mason promises: "to treat women with deference and respect, to help a Brother when he asks for and needs help, to remember that people are entitled to dignity and respect and not to treat them as if they were things, to follow the directions of the Grand Lodge in things Masonic, and if he disagrees, to use the proper channels to express that disagreement and seek resolution, to respect the traditions of the Fraternity, and to keep secret the few things that are secret".

Why don't you let women join?

bulletWe're a Fraternity, a Brotherhood. The essence of a fraternity is that it is for men, just as the essence of a sorority is that it is for women. That's the primary reason. Recent developments in psychology and sociology have discovered another reason. There is a new thing called "male bonding." That's the new technical way of saying something that has been known for thousands of years. It's important for men to have a few things they do by themselves, just as it is for women to have the same thing.
But that doesn't mean that there is no place for women in Masonry. In fact, there are several Masonic organizations for both women and men. The order of the Eastern Star, with one of the most beautiful rituals anywhere, is one. So are the White Shrine of Jerusalem, the Order of Amaranth, the Social Order of Beauseant, and several others.

Just what is a "Lodge?" What does it look like? Who runs it?

bulletA lodge is both a meeting place for Masons and the Masons who meet there. You could actually say "The Lodge is a meeting at the Lodge." It's a Middle English word. When the great cathedrals of the Middle Ages were being built, the masons had special, temporary buildings built against the side of the cathedral in which they met, received their pay, planned the work on the cathedral and socialized after work. This building was called a lodge. The term has simply remained down through the ages.
As to the officers, the leader of the Lodge, the President is the "Worshipful Master". That title doesn't mean we worship him, although some people have thought that is what it means. The titles we use come from Middle English, about the time of Chaucer. Just as mayors in England and Canada are addressed as "Your Worship", the Master of the Lodge is called "Worshipful Master", meaning "Greatly Respected." The First Vice President is the Senior Warden. The second Vice President is the Junior Warden. We have a Secretary and a Treasurer, just like any other organization. Assisting the Master are the Senior and Junior Deacons. They carry messages and help with the ritual work. The Senior and Junior Stewards help guide the new candidates in the initiation and also traditionally set out refreshments. Finally, the Tiler sits at the door to make sure that the Lodge is not interrupted and to help visitors get into the Lodge Room.

If that is the Lodge, what is the "Grand Lodge?"

bulletThe Grand Lodge is the State Organization of Masons. The local Lodges are members of the Grand Lodge. The Grand Master is the same as the State President.

Just what do Masons do?

bulletCharity is the most visible Masonic activity. Each year Masons give many millions of dollars to charity. Some are large projects, some are small. Among the hundreds of local projects, we sponsor large programs such as Children in Crisis, and Blindness Prevention programs, testing thousands of school children and senior citizens for vision problems. We have strong commitments to public education. Many Lodges have programs in which they recognize outstanding students. We have essay contests, awards for outstanding teachers and even programs to help teachers get supplies. The Fraternity gives hundreds of college scholarships to students each year. Nationally, throughout the United States, the Masons give an average of $1,500.000.00 (that is one and a half million) EVERY DAY to charitable causes, most of which are not Masonic. A fact never publicized and thus hardly known.
All those things are external, and they are important. But the real things the Masons do are far more difficult to describe. In essence, we try to build ourselves into better men, better fathers, better husbands and better citizens. We strive for self development and self improvement. We try to learn more about what it means to be human and what it takes to become better men.

How does a man become a Mason?

bulletAs we said earlier, no one will ever twist your arm. If you decide you want more information, we'll be happy to provide it through the Grand Lodge in your jurisdiction. If you want to join our Fraternity it works this way: "Ask any Mason for a petition (to join). Fill it out and return it to him. He'll take it to his Lodge and turn it in. A committee (of about three) will be appointed to talk with you and with people you may list. Its purpose is to ascertain that you are a man of good character and that you believe in God. Atheism and Freemasonry are not compatible. The committee will report its recommendation back to the Lodge. The Lodge will vote. If your petition is accepted, the Secretary will contact you about a date for the first of three degrees. There is some study and a bit of memory work required with which your Lodge Brothers will always help you. After the Third Degree you will be a full-fledged Master Mason and will have joined the oldest global brotherhood in the world!

                THIS FROM THE GLOBAL FRATERNAL  NETWORK WEBSITE

FROM ANDREAS ACCOUNTS WRITTEN IN 1882 COMES THIS FROM LINCOLN

Masonic.--There are four chapters of this order in Lincoln. They have an elegant and commodious hall on the corner of O and Tenth streets, over the First National Bank. It is handsomely furnished after the order of this society, adjoining which is their "Banqueting Hall," which is well supplied with all the necessities of such an apartment, having a kitchen with all its utensils, dishes, tables, chairs, etc.

Lincoln Lodge No. 19, A., F. & A. M. This lodge was organized in 1868, and has at present about 150 members and is in a very flourishing condition. The officers at present are A. L. Palmer, W. M.; Lee P. Gellette, S. W.; O. W. Littler, J. W.; C. M. Leighton, Treasurer; L. B. Freeman, Secretary; E. O. Miller, S. D.; E. H. Salsbury, J. D. and John McClellan, Tiler.

Lancaster Lodge, No. 54, A., F. & A. M., was organized in 1874, and has at present a strong membership. Officers, C. H. Willard, W. M.; C. B. Palmer, S. W.; L. M. Hubert, J. W.; T. Ganter, Treasurer; T. H. Benton, Secretary; D. B. Howard, S. D., Charles Rohrick, J. D. and John McClellan, Tiler.

Lincoln Chapter, No. 6, R. A. M. This division of the order was organized June 23, 1870 and now has a membership of eighty-four, with the following officers: James Tyler, H. P.; R. P. R. Miller, K.; Edward L. Stahl, S.; John McManigue, C. H.; J. H. Foxworth, P. S.; George Tucker, R. A. C.; A. M. Davis, Third V.; M. B. Harris, Second V.; T. H. Benton, First V.; D. Newman, Treasurer; S. B. Linderman, Secretary.

Mount Moriah Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar. This section of the Masonic fraternity was the second organized, whose existence dates from 1871. It has sixty-five members, with the following officers, J. K. Marly, E. C., Jos. Tyler, Gen'l.; D. Newman, C. G.; Ed. L. Stahl, Rec.

                             Illustrious Sir Judge Harry A. Spencer Honored

Most Worshipful Brother, 33rd Degree, and Illustrious Sir Noble Judge Harry A. Spencer accepts plaque for 75th anniversary in Masonry.

A very fine presentation by Most Worshipful Sir James F. Brown, Jr. and W.B. Milford Sears of Northstar Lodge #227 presented a plaque to Most Worshipful Brother Harry Spencer for 75 years of service to Masonry. This recognition was given in his honor at the Nebraska Masonic Home where he resides on November 19th, 2000. Judge Harry Spencer entered masonry in 1925. He received the degrees in Scottish Rite Masonry and was awarded the 33rd degree white hat. In 1962, Noble Spencer served as Illustrious Potentate of Sesostris Temple. In 1964, He served as Grand Master of Masons of Nebraska. After the presentation, Judge Spencer gave a very gracious acceptance speech. He thanked all for coming out on a very blustery day. After a welcome speech by Mary Stapp, she invited all who were in attendance to cake and coffee.  

Masonic Historical Information

Through the efforts of our Past Most Excellent Companions and Right Eminent Sir Knights, William R. Bowen, and Francis E. White, Grand Secretary -Recorders of their time, we, of Nebraska York Rite Bodies are very fortunate to have the records of their correspondences between the Chapters, Councils and Commanderies in Nebraska. We still have these records despite fires and a long span of time, app 140 years. These Right Eminent, Companions, & Brothers kept this information in chronological order which includes, dispensations, charters, or copies thereof, records of elected officers, demits, and correspondence between officers and grand officers, deaths, and other historical information in the form of newspaper clippings and program announcements from the period of app. 1865 to 1920 and beyond. Through the efforts of Right Eminent Sir Knight Jay Speck, Grand Secretary - Recorder and Excellent Companion William Hurst, Grand Historian, these records are being preserved by  the Nebraska State Historical Society. If anyone would like to research the History of their Chapter, Council or Commandery, they are on file at the Nebraska State Historical Society in Lincoln, Ne. The following York Rite Bodies are on File:

CHAPTERS

Lincoln #6 Livingston #10 Furnas #9
George W. Lininger #23 Jewel #34 Tyrian #29
Bellevue #7 Bethlehem #20 Siroc #46
Overt #18 King Darius #36 Keystone #2
Sheba #54 Doric #50 Tadmor #37
Cedar #56 Joppa #52 King Cyrus #35
Pine #51 Palmer #31 Ashland #12
Brownville #4 Nebraska #3 Adoniram #13
Hastings #21 Eureka #5 Edgar #22
Haggai #39 Temple #40 Makay #24
Kearney #23 Lebanon #14 Omaha #1
Euphrates #15 King David #30 Horeb #49
Occidental #48 Red Cloud #19 Mt. Zion #17
Chaldean #55 Solomon #33 Shekinah #32
Pentalpha #53 Ophir #38 Leese #62
Signet #8 Miriam #47 Deuel #11
Gayle #16 Garfield #45 Valley #50
Jordan #27 Rosebud #63 Rabboni #58
Merrick #26 Siloam #44 Oregon Trail #65
Wahoo #43 Cyrene #42 Triune #41
Damascus #25 Florence #61 Delta #60
Order of High Priesthood General Grand Chapter

COUNCILS

Adoniram #5 Furnas #8 Alpha #2
Omaha #1 Tyrion #13 Cibal #12
Hastings #8 Hiram #7 Zabud #6
Temple #20 Bloomfield #19 Custer #18
Ionic #17 Damascus #14 Robert R. Livingston #21
Lebanon #14 Namomi #26 Arbor #28
Cypruss #22 Loup Valley #25 Raboni #9
Solomon #10 Jacob A. Hood #11 Zerubbabel #27
Norfolk U.D. Tekamah U.D.

COMMANDERIES

Mt. Moriah #4 Mt. Siniai #8 Mt. Herman #7
Mt. Olivet #2 Mt. Lebanon #6 Mt. Carmel #3
Mt. Calvery #1 Mt. Zion #5 Mt. Tabor #9
St. John #16 Joppa #17 Bethlehem #18
Mt. Elias #19 Mt. Ararat #23 Melita #22
Jerusalem #24 Palmyra #27 Bunah #26
Shelah #25 Palestine #13 Damascus #20
Mt. Hebron #12 Gethsemane #21 Mt. Horeb #10
Cyrene #14 Mt. Nebo #11 Jordan #15
Temple #30 Sharon #20 Bethel #28
New Commanderies

 OTHER STATES YORK RITE COMMUNICATIONS

Oklahoma Arkansas Iowa
Kansas Michigan West Virginia
Wyoming Wisconsin North Dakota
Washington Territory Victoria Canada
Illinois South Dakota Utah
California Massachusetts Iowa
Minnesota Ireland Maryland
New Mexico Virginia Vermont
New York Mississippi England
Arizona Colorado Louisiana
Nevada

Article: As our Historical Journey in Masonry begins in Nebraska around the time of the Civil War, It is just fitting that we repeat this story of how "Taps" was born:

We have heard the haunting song, "Taps". It's the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes. Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, The Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach, through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached  his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy had enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confererate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we know now as "Taps" used in military funerals was born. The following is the three verses sung to "Taps":   Verse #1: Day is done - Gone the sun - From the Lakes - From the hills - From the sky. All is well - Safely rest - God is nigh. Verse #2: Fading light - Dims the sight - And a star - Gems the sky - Gleaming bright - From afar - drawing nigh - Falls the night. Verse #3: Thanks and praise - For our days - Neath the sun - Neath the stars - Neath the sky - As we go - This we know - God is nigh.

This comes to us from [Shriners 2000] by Brother and Noble Errol B. Sturt of Paul Revere Lodge #998, Des Plaines Lodge #890, Scottish Rite, Valley of Chicago, Medinah Temple, Chicago, Ill. who received this from a brother. He writes: I too, have felt chills while listening to "Taps", but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song. I now have an even deeper respect  for the song than I did before. 

 

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE AT LINCOLN MEMORIAL PARK

On May 28th, 2001, Memorial Day, at 11:00 A.M., this editor witnessed a very fine program by the Lincoln Memorial Day Observance Association. This program was held inside Gate #2 at Lincoln Memorial Park. The Color Guard of the Lincoln Civil War Reenactors accompanied by the Lincoln Lutheran Fife and Drum Corp presented the colors. A flyover of Two Blackhawks of the 24th Medical Air Ambulance Company of the Nebraska Army National Guard and a little later One KC-135R Stratotanker of the Nebraska Air National Guard stired the spirits of the audience. Greetings were given by Edward Hoffman of the Lincoln Memorial Day Observance Association. Introductions were made by Greg Holloway, LMDOA Co-Chair and Officer of the Day. Noble Cliff Lant, General Manager of Lincoln Memorial Park was introduced and gave his welcome to the Park and for the Observance. The Invocation was given by Reverend John Carter. Noble Doug Duey of Sesostris Shrine Legion of Honor led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of our Country and Laurie Lewis gave a stiring rendition of our National Anthem. Thomas Morrissey, the Parade Chair, placed the Memorial wreath in honor of our fallen comrades. Merle A. Rudebusch of the Sons of Union Veterans was introduced and he gave General John A. Logan's Proclamation. Then, Brigadier General, Edward H. Green, Asst.. Adjutant General of the Nebraska Air National Guard was introduced and as guest speaker, gave a very fine Memorial to our Armed Services. Gailen Young, of the Vietnam Veterans of Foreign Wars #10617, presented the Steven D. Gilbaugh Award to Reverend Donald Coleman for his service and compassion to Vietnam Vets. Noble Richard N. Meyer was introduced and a Special Presentation was given to him and to the crew of LST 325. This tribute was paid him:

USS LST 325 - The story of USS LST (landing ship tank) 325 began during World War Two when 1051 of these vessels were built especially for wartime use and only 28 of them were sunk. After the war, the remaining ships were divided up among the various countries such as Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and other countries. Our own Lincoln native, Richard Meyer, served on LST 944 during the war and is a member of the United States LST Association.

                           wpe7.jpg (35435 bytes)

                                 Noble Richard N. Meyer of the USS LST 325

Mr. Meyer joined a crew of energetic senior sailors, ages 68 to 87 and undertook the mission of four months of cleaning, scraping, repairing, and loading supplies aboard LST 325 in preparation on bringing her back to Mobile, Alabama where she would become a permanent museum.

The U.S. Coast Guard had warned they could not survive the 45 day trip. Yet, on November 10th, 2000 the crew set sail from Greece and arrived in Mobile on January 10th, 2001.

The Country is proud of Mr. Meyer's accomplishments as we are of the entire crew and all Veterans who have given us the right and privilege to be here today.

After Noble Richard Meyer's notations pertaining to the rescue of LST 325, American Legion Post #3 gave a 21 gun salute. Taps and Echo was given by Worshipful Brother Lumir A. Vajgrt ( Lou Arnold) Past Master of Liberty Lodge #300, and Post Commander of American Legion Post #3. The benediction was given by Reverend John Carter and dismissal by Greg Holloway. As a final tribute, and a fitting finale, many white doves were released and circled the assembly three times in token of the peace our country now enjoys because of our men and women in uniform.    

                       Memorial Day "MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE"

The White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance was established by Congress December 28, 2000 to honor our fellow Americans who died in service to our Nation.  Specifically, the Commission's goal is to put "memorial" back into Memorial Day, and in this effort I ask for your help.  The true meaning of Memorial Day has been forgotten by many.  Most Americans treat the holiday as just another day to go shopping or welcome the start of summer vacations.  In fact, the idea for the 'Moment' was born when children touring our Nation's capital were asked what Memorial Day meant, and responded, "That's the day the pools open."

The 'National Moment of Remembrance' is an effort to change that - to reclaim Memorial Day as a sacred and noble holiday to honor our fellow Americans who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  The President has given the 'Moment' his personal support and asks everyone to participate in this initiative. I ask you - whether you will be with family or friends, or even alone - to join at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, May 28, 2001 in  any of the following ways:

   1) Simply stop what you are doing and pause for one minute of informal reflection for our fallen heroes.

   2) If driving a vehicle, you may turn on your vehicle's headlights.

  3) If you plan to visit a loved one's gravesite on Memorial Day, do so at 3:00 p.m. and pause for the 'Moment of Remembrance.' The uniqueness of the 'National Moment of Remembrance' campaign is that it is designed to encourage the participation of Americans of all ages, however and wherever they are spending America's day of remembrance.

Please inform your friends and people in your community about the 'Moment.' This proud new tradition will do more than preserve Memorial Day.  It will help encourage others to serve our Nation.  Your participation in this shared remembrance will help unite the country and reinforce our Nation's core values.  A 'moment' of silent reflection is an act of American unity for all those who bought our freedom with their lives. It is a moment every American can spare.  On behalf of the millions who have died in service to our country and the families they left behind,

I thank you for your support.

      Tommy G. Thompson, U. S. Government Representative

This message was made possible through the efforts of Fred O. Wyant, Past Grand Commander, Knights Templar of Nebraska, and Shrine Noble Leonard Sinkule, Director General, Sesostris Temple, Lincoln, Nebraska. 

 

Webmaster: Roger W. Miner at minerland@neb.rr.com

                                                  Last modified : January 1st, 2007          frontpag.gif (9866 bytes)

This page requires sound card to enjoy midi selections

USE TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE TO NEGOTIATE THIS SITE

"COPYRIGHT" FEBRUARY 2005 MASONRY NEBRASKA