The Grand Lodge Area Meetings have wrapped up around the state. The meetings are held each year to present proposed legislation for the upcoming Annual Communication and to allow the Grand Lodge officers to discuss topics of interest with the lodge members.
R.W. Grand Senior Warden Ron Stites facilitated a large area meeting on Nov 7 at Tekamah 31.
Happy Veteran’s Day from the Grand Lodge of Nebraska! Lincoln held its first Veteran’s Parade Saturday morning, November 3rd. The Grand Lodge proudly assembled an entry to show support and gratitude for veterans at this community event. Masons carrying a banner designed for the occasion walked the parade route from Lincoln High School down K Street and in front of the north steps of State Capitol. Grand Orator Kevin Scheele followed in a truck pulling the Grand Lodge trailer, which is wrapped with impressive graphics promoting Masonry. The entry was coordinated by WBs Myron Coleman and Keith Simonsen. Michelle Fulmer, Grand Lodge Office Manager, also participated in the parade by walking as a member of the Blue Star Mothers group.
Nebraska Freemasons have long shown support for veterans through various programs. In 2010, we collected Change for the Troops. Phone cards were purchased for Nebraska military personnel deployed to the Middle East. Most recently the program has transitioned to the Masonic Veterans Partnership (MVP), which has donated funds to the Disabled American Veterans. These donations were used to purchase vehicles for transporting veterans to and from Veterans Administration hospitals.
Another very unique Masonic event is scheduled in honor of Veterans Day. Grand Master Patrick Barger will be reconvening Swisher Lodge to raise some of the Masons initiated in Afghanistan in 2011. These men will be traveling from all parts of the world to finish what was started in the War Zone six years ago. The degrees and a Grog Bowl will both be held on November 10th beginning at 3:00 pm at Bellevue Lodge No. 325.
MWB President Harry Truman once said “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” Many Masons have served our nation’s military with courage and an unbeatable determination—for that we are truly grateful. Thank you to all veterans for your service!
Submitted by WB Kevin Scheele, Grand Orator; Photos by Michelle Fulmer
W.B. Kevin Scheele, Grand Orator, had the pleasure of presenting three year pins at York Lodge No. 56 on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Brethren and guests enjoyed a dinner served by members of the lodge. Following dinner and dessert, all present entered the lodge room for the presentation ceremonies. The honorees included Bro. Larry Harding, a 50-year Mason, and Bro. Fred Branz and Bro. Vic Michel celebrated 65 years in Masonry. W.B. Scheele felt especially honored to present the two 65-year pins, as Bro. Branz is a neighbor of his and Bro. Michel is the current Bronze Jordan Medal holder for York Lodge No. 56. Unable to attend the ceremonies were Bro. Ben Kohl (25 years) and Bro. Jack Moomey (50 years). Congratulations to each of these Brothers for their combined 255 years of dedication to Masonry!
Left picture: Vic Michel and his wife; Fred Branz and his wife; and Grand Orator Kevin Scheele. Right picture: Larry Harding and his wife with Grand Orator Kevin Scheele.
Steven Holst, a newly initiated member of Wahoo Lodge No. 59 recited the full form questions and answers on October 27, 2018 to receive the Grand Master’s EA Full Proficiency Coin. R.W. Jim Carlton, Grand Junior Warden, and Charlie Odorizzi, Grand Chaplain, were present to witness the recital and to present the coin.
Pictured are W.B. Terry Foxworthy (grandfather of the new Brother), Steven Holst, W.M. Jared Ketner (seated), R.W. Jim Carlton, and W.B. Greg Nabity. Picture taken by Charlie Odorizzi.
On Tuesday October 9, 2018, Secretary of Bellevue Lodge No. 325, W.B. Hal Cottrell, presented a check in the amount of $500.00 to W.B. Steve Barchus, Nebraska Masonic Home Foundation Director. This money will be used to update the Masonic Home’s nurse’s call system.
Prior to opening Miloma Lodge No. 328 in Omaha on Wednesday, October 3, 2018, the education portion of the stated meeting was a demonstration of the closing ceremony for Job’s Daughters. It was incredibly well done and fun to watch, and was definitely appreciated by all present.
The Job’s Daughters are left to right: Rachel, Shelby, Audrey, Honored Queen Audrey, Emily, Emily, and Ashley. The men pictured left to right: VW Charlie Odorizzi Grand Chaplain, WM Don Hawkins, WB Barry Higgins, and WB Matt Schell.
On Sunday, September 16, Joel Green, Worshipful Master of East Lincoln Lodge No. 210, presented the Grand Lodge of Nebraska Sonny Eatmon Traveling Gavel to Henry D. Atkinson, Grand Master of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Nebraska, at the Prince Hall Americanism Day and Public Installation of Grand Lodge Officers. This is the first time in the history of the gavel that it has been presented to Prince Hall.
Then on Wednesday, October 3rd, Prince Hall Deputy Grand Master Freddie Clopton presented the gavel to Worshipful Master Myron Bell and the members of Bellevue Lodge No. 325.
In 2005, the James L. “Sonny” Eatmon Traveling Gavel was presented as a gift to the Grand Lodge by the family of Past Grand Master James L. “Sonny” Eatmon, Grand Master in 1992. In honor of this gift, this gavel or wood maul was commissioned at the Annual Communication in February 2006 to start its journey at the newly elected Grand Master’s lodge each year. The purpose of the gavel is to encourage lodge visitations by lodge officers and members to pass on the gavel from lodge to lodge.
The above picture shows the gavel being presented to Prince Hall – Back row left to right: Fitzroy Mitchell, Robert Hill, Jerome McCowin, Cecil Austin, Percy Newton, and Freddie Clopton. Front row: MW Grand Master Henry D. Atkinson, WM Joel Green.
The above picture shows PH Deputy Grand Master Freddie Clopton presenting the gavel to WM Myron Bell of Bellevue Lodge No. 325.
