Unanimity Lodge No. 418 Newsletter

Vol. 2020-06 June RWB James Barron, Editor

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Items of interest

Letter from ……………………………….…………MWB Disher, Grand Master Calendar of Events ……………………………..…..……………….……..….……June In the News……………………..………………………….noteworthy items/links From the Desk of……………………………………….………….…RWB Secretary Celebrating Master Masons …..…….....…….....………………June Birthday’s I was raised in ……………...……………..…..……………..………………….……June Further Light……………………………………….………………………..………Justice John Phillip Sousa………………………….………...………….Famous Freemason ………………………………………In Memoriam...... Historical Tidbits……...... Flag Day & Father’s Day Editors Notes…………….…………..……………………………without distinction

A Letter Dated from MWB Disher May 29, 2020

To our Brethren in South Carolina, this updated information is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in our Grand Jurisdiction. Until further notice, IT IS MY CONTINUED ORDER THAT ALL MASONIC LODGE MEETINGS IN SOUTH CAROLINA remain suspended throughout the entire month of June. This ORDER will remain in effect until it is canceled or updated. I have consulted numerous Past Grand Masters, Grand Lodge Officers, Lodge Officers, and Appendant Body Officers and members. The overwhelming majority of the Craft has said: “Grand Master, we all want to go back to our meetings but, for our safety, I think it is still too early.” I thank each one of you for your wise counsel. More than ever it is imperative that our Masonic families remain united. United we stand, divided we fall. I want to personally extend a “Thank You” to every Masonic organization in South Carolina that continues unwavering compliance to the Grand Master’s Decision and Order in this Grand Jurisdiction. I have spoken with every Grand Master in the Southeastern Region. Each has serious challenges, under different rules in each state, but one thing is certain, we all have the interest and wellbeing of the Craft at the heart with every decision. I am convinced that we have not reached the COVID-19 bell curve or apex of cases or deaths in South Carolina. I hope and pray that the summer heat will cause the virus count to drop off at an accelerated rate. By my estimate, the cases of infection from Memorial Day weekend exposure will not be realized until at least the June 12-19th . As a reminder, no Lodge Hall is to be used during this time period. I have stopped several Lodge functions that Lodge members organized either through ZOOM Media, phone, or other venues. Brethren, as a reminder, it is a grave Masonic Offense, to conduct any irregular meeting or business during this time. I am asking the Worshipful Masters and Wardens to consider a plan for a reopening of your lodge in the near future. We are working on guidelines to help, but each Lodge has a different floor plan. What would you need to have in place for your Brethren to meet and observe social distancing? What supplies do you need to decontaminate your Lodge after each meeting? Please start getting some thoughts together for your plan. If circumstances change, we will communicate through Grandview postings, the official Grand Lodge Facebook page, and the Grand Lodge website. Your Grand Lodge Officers are working hard to secure a future date for our annual communication, and we thank you for your continued patience. Subordinate Lodges will NOT be penalized for their inability to meet until Grand Lodge has given clearance and all established government mandates in your area are discontinued. We will issue an update by July 1, 2020, or shortly after concerning the status. We recommend all Brethren follow health and safety guidelines or mandates issued by federal, state, and local governments in your particular area. All Brethren with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis or who have been exposed to someone with a confirmed diagnosis PLEASE SELF-QUARANTINE. Please stay in touch with local elderly Brethren, any Brother living alone, or any Brother with chronic health issues. Please realize that we do not need a large group of men together to help those in need. Individually we can wear our rings, shirts, and hats while assisting those in need in society.

Lady Laura and I are praying for the health and safety of each of you, our state, nation, and world. Please do all that you can to prevent any further transmission of this virus. Please practice all safety precautions so we can soon live in the social setting we miss so much right now. Pray for our country and all of our leaders. Do good unto all and demonstrate the tenets we are taught within our sacred walls with those outside so they will see, know, and desire to be amongst us.

May God continue to Bless our Craft, the state of South Carolina, and the United States of America.

Respectfully and Fraternally,

Walter C. Disher II – Grand Master

Calendar Events this month

ALL MEETINGS SUSPENDED

Unanimity Lodge No 418 2nd Monday 7:30pm

Other District Communications American 98, (Ridgeland) 1st Tues 7:30pm Stafford 216 (Furman), 1st Thurs 7:30pm Hardeeville 348, (Hardeeville) 2nd Tues 7:30pm Port Royal 242, (Port Royal)2nd Tues 7:30pm Evergreen 153, (Hampton) 2nd Thurs 7:30pm Harmony 22, (Beaufort) 2nd Thurs 7:30pm Mt Moriah 196, (Yemassee) 3rd Tues 7:30pm

In the News

Glimmers of Hope ***Click on headline hyperlink to read full stories***

After disappearing during Reno protests, WWII-era flag returned By Scottie Andrew, CNN Updated 2:55 PM ET, Thu June 4, 2020

New York will allow houses of worship to reopen with curbs By Laura Ly and Hollie Silverman, CNN Updated 8:32 AM ET, Sun June 7, 2020

Minneapolis school’s food drive brings in 29,000 bags of supplies “It’s what a community is supposed to be.” By Tommy Brooksbank June 2, 2020, 7:49 PM6 min read A middle school near the site of George Floyd’s death received over 29,000 bags of donated supplies Sunday in just seven hours. “The parking lot and grass field were covered in donations, it was just incredible,” Amy Nelson, the principal of Sanford Middle School in Minneapolis, said. “It came from people and stores, members of our community who wanted something tangible to do to help.”

Hundreds of businesses in Minneapolis have burned down or been damaged in a matter of days, including every grocery store within walking distance of the school. “Target, Walgreens, Cub Foods – you name it,” Nelson said. “It’s all gone and there is nowhere to get food right now if you don’t have a car. We had to do something.” After a parent approached her with the idea, Nelson got the message out and called a local nonprofit to help organize the drive. The group expected around 500 donations, but after several viral social media posts promoted the drive online, thousands showed to drop off bags full of food and other essentials. ABC News for full story

For 100th birthday, WWII vet walking 100 miles to raise money for virus relief By Alaa Elassar, CNN – CNN – Saturday, May 30, 2020

A World War II veteran from Minnesota is celebrating his 100th birthday with an act of kindness that will help feed thousands of people in his community. Mickey Nelson, 99, is walking 100 miles through his small city of Clarks Grove in an initiative he has named “Walking to 100.” Nelson, who turns 100 on June 27, said he was inspired to walk to raise money for coronavirus relief after reading the story on war veteran Tom Moore who raised more than $37.4 million by walking 100 laps around his garden. Instead of walking laps, Nelson is walking miles to mark his 100th birthday. Since beginning his walk in May, Nelson has raised over $42,000 – all which will go to The Salvation Army’s feeding and emergency programs.

Bed-Stuy Church Helps Pay Off $4M Medical Bills Amid Coronavirus “This is not forgiveness of a debt, this is freedom from a debt,” said Concord Baptist Rev. Gary Simpson about erasing 4,500 medical debts. By Matt Troutman, Patch Staff May 22, 2020 12:34 pm ET

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — A Bed-Stuy church helped erase $4 million of medical debt for 4,500 people thanks to a pennies-on-the-dollar investment.

The Concord Baptist Church of Christ put forward $35,000 to RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit that forgives medical debts, said the church’s Rev. Gary V. Simpson.

RIP Medical Debt then used that money to buy a multi-million-dollar portfolio of medical debts at a discount.

Together, the church and nonprofit helped wipe out medical debt for 4,500 people in Brooklyn and Newark, New Jersey, who next week should start receiving yellow envelopes in the mail telling them they’re newly debt- free, Simpson said.

“This is not forgiveness of a debt, this is freedom from a debt,” Simpson said.

Hospital worker helps plant 500 American flags after annual display canceled Greg Norman – FOX News – Friday, May 22, 2020 A Boston hospital worker has helped place 500 American flags in a park to honor veterans for Memorial Day after the city canceled its large annual display because of the coronavirus. The hundreds of miniature flags ordered by Mary Gillen – who is battling the coronavirus daily as a respiratory therapist at Massachusetts General Hospital – were made by veterans, according to WFXT. They were inserted into the ground at Doherty Park in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood. “Those who have fought for us and have left us a fighting spirit. So, this is what we’re about,” Gillen told the station. “Right now, I feel like the pandemic has taken a lot from everyone and right now we need a little something to celebrate.”

South Korea Sends 10K Masks to Navajo Nation to Honor Their Service as ‘Code Talkers’ During Korean War By Andy Corbley-Jun 2, 2020

When the South Korean government realized that the Navajo Nation had been suffered infection rates of COVID-19 rivaling that of New York City, it shipped them 10,000 masks and other PPE to honor their service seven decades ago to the East-Asian nation. During the Korean War around 800 members of the Navajo Nation used their native language as an unbreakable code for radio messages, ensuring complete secrecy around any military movements by the United States, an ally to South Korea. While this little-known story in the famous ‘police action’ that was the Korean War often goes untold, the South Koreans have never forgotten the Native American contributions. According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in South Korea, around 130 of these “Code Talkers” are still alive today.

This day in history

June 2nd, 1875 Bell’s first sound transmission June 2nd, 1886 Pres. Grover Cleveland marries in White House June 2nd, 1896 Marconi applies for radio patent June 2nd, 1953 Queen Elizabeth II crowned June 2nd, 1966 first US space craft lands on moon, Surveyor I June 5th, 1873 first sustained flight, hot air balloon launch in Annonay, France ascended above 6000 ft. June 6, 1944 D-Day invasion Operation Overlord took months of planning and involved 1,527,000 soldiers in 47 Allied divisions along with 4,400 ships and landing craft, and 11,000 aircraft. June 10, 1652 – In Massachusetts, silversmith John Hull opened the first mint in America

June 14, 1777 – John Adams introduced a resolution before Congress mandating a United States flag, stating, “...that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.” This anniversary is celebrated each year in the U.S. as Flag Day.

June 14, 1922 – President Warren G. Harding first to broadcast via radio from Francis Scott Key Memorial dedication event

June 15, 1215 – King John signed the Magna Carta, first written set of basic liberties

June 20, 1782 – The U.S. Congress officially adopted the Great Seal of the United States of America.

June 28, 1914 – Archduke Francis Ferdinand, Crown Prince of Austria and his wife were assassinated at Sarajevo, touching off a conflict between the Austro-Hungarian government and Serbia that escalated into World War I.

Brotherly Love During this time of isolation and social distancing let us remember to soothe the unhappy, sympathize misfortunes, and compassionate miseries.

Please Keep Me in your Prayers

WB Jackson—home recovering from knee surgery WB Gay—battling illnesses of age WB Mihelic—healing up after back surgery

Faith—In God

A Special Prayer and many thanks to all of our Brothers serving as First responders, and medical Professionals in the front lines of the COVID19 pandemic.

May God Bless You and be ever present to guide and protect you

From the Desk of the Secretary–RWB Barron

Brethren, I have been working on a directory book for our lodge to include the 2020 by-laws. A copy will be mailed to your address in the Grand View system. If you have not updated your address information or have recently moved, please log-in and check/update your information. Please make your spouses are aware of the book as they may need it to contact us in the event of emergency or illness. We cannot provide any assistance or relief to your family if we do not know that you have a need. Your family will not contact us if they do not have easy access to our information.

As we all grow weary of lockdown, lack of social intercourse, especially Lodge fellowship, this doesn’t mean that we need to go it alone. If you have not already done so, please call a Brother/Widow or converse through GL social media apps. Participate, in the Grand Senior Wardens lodge education questions via GL member’s facebook page. Meet for a coffee or lunch bring a mask etc... Lastly, pray for each other’s health, strength, support, and Gods presence, protection and care to see us all through this trying time. I look forward to seeing everyone again soon. Fraternally, RWB Barron, DDGM, Secretary

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

June Birthdays

James L. Rowe 06-19-1943 Michael E. Graham 06-12-1970

June Masonic Birthdays

William S. Creighton 06-10-1960 Kenneth E. Emch 06-21-1962 Roberts W. Morris 06-26-1962 James A. Biggar 06-09-1976 Benton E. Waller 06-07-1980 Kevin L. Etheredge 06-04-2016 Joseph A.L. Bowen 06-16-2016

Prudence— wisely judge and prudently determine all things

The conversation of late has been filled with discussion of justice. To allow us a true discussion involving this term, we must first have a solid definition thereof.

Justice [ juhs-tis ] Dictionary.com noun ❖ the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness: to uphold the justice of a cause. ❖ rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason: to complain with justice. ❖ the moral principle determining just conduct. ❖ conformity to this principle, as manifested in conduct; just conduct, dealing, or treatment. ❖ the administering of deserved punishment or reward. ❖ the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings: a court of justice.

Justice – Legal Dictionary | Law.com

1) fairness. 2) moral rightness. 3) a scheme or system of law in which every person receives his/ her/its due from the system, including all rights, both natural and legal. One problem is that attorneys, judges and legislatures often get caught up more in procedure than in achieving justice for all.

In the Masonic studies Justice is one of the four cardinal virtues. Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice.

Justice is that standard or boundary of right, which enables us to render to every man his just due, without distinction… Mackey Encyclopedia of Freemasonry: Justice one of the four cardinal virtues, the practice of which is inculcated in the first degree. The freemason who remembers how emphatically he has been charged to preserve an upright position in all his dealings with mankind, should never fail to act justly to himself, to his brethren, and to the world. This is the corner-stone on which he alone can expect “to erect the superstructure alike honorable to himself and to the fraternity.”…..In freemasonry the true symbol of Justice as illustrated in the third degree, is the feet planted firmly on the ground and the body upright.

Biblical verses on Justice

Isaiah 1:17 ESV Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

Exodus 23:2 NIV “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd”

Leviticus 19:15 NIV 15 “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

Deuteronomy 16:20 20 That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 24:17 17 Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.

Kings 7:7 NLT Solomon also built the throne room, known as the Hall of Justice, where he sat to hear legal matters. It was paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling.

Amos 5:24 NIV 24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream

Micah 6:8 NIV 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Psalms 106:3 NKJV Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times

Famous Freemason

John Phillip Sousa

Photo: Metaweb (FB)/Public domain Sousa the Master Mason by Jari Villanueva | Apr 4, 2018 | Biography

Sousa was proud to be a Mason. He entered Masonry at age 26 and was a Master Mason for 51 years. Three of his best-known marches have Masonic origins: “The Crusader” (1888), “The Thunderer” (1889), and “Nobles of the Mystic Shrine” (1923).

John Philip Sousa’s Masonic History: 15 July 1881, Initiated, Hiram Lodge No. 10, Washington D.C. (never transferred); 2 September 1881, Passed, Hiram Lodge; 10 November 1881, Raised, Hiram Lodge; 16 September 1886, Received Capitular Degrees and exalted in Eureka Chapter No. 4 (later Eureka Naval Chapter); 3 December 1886, Received Order of Red Cross, Malta, and Temple; 10 December 1886, Knighted in Columbia Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar, Washington, DC; 21 April 1922, Initiated in A.A.O.N.M.S., Almas Temple, Washington, DC, named honorary leader of Almas Temple Band.

On 10 March 1932, a Masonic memorial service was held at the grave site in Congressional Cemetery, Washington, DC, after Sousa’s death.

Today in Masonic History from MasonToday.com

John Philip Sousa was born in 1854.

John Philip Sousa was an American composer and band leader.

Sousa was born on November 6th, 1854 in Washington D.C. At the age of six, he began learning music by starting with the violin. It was determined that Sousa had absolute pitch. He would go on to study voice, piano, flute, cornet, baritone horn, trombone and alto horn in addition to the violin. At the age of 13, his father enlisted him in the United States Marine Corps as an apprentice musician to prevent Sousa from running away and joining a circus band.

After his apprenticeship was over, Sousa joined a theatrical or pit orchestra where he learned to conduct. In 1880 he returned to the Marine Corps band in 1880 and remained as it’s conductor until 1892. It was during this time that Sousa composed many of his famous marches.

Under Sousa the Marine Corps band was recorded by the Colombia Phonograph Company. Sousa did not like the new recording industry and often made disparaging remarks about the music that was available. He referred to it as “canned music” a play on a quote by Mark Twain. The reference was to the cylinders that the beeswax recordings came in. In 1892, Sousa requested a discharge from the Marine Corps to pursue a civilian career in music.

Sousa led the “the President’s Own” band under five presidents. He also played at the inauguration of James Garfield and Benjamin Harrison.

In 1893, Sousa directed J.W. Pepper to create the sousaphone, a marching brass instrument. Sousa wanted a tuba that could be heard upward and over the band even if the player was seated. In 1898 it was redesigned by C.G. Conn. The redesign was the instrument that Sousa preferred to use.

In 1917, Sousa was commissioned as an officer in the United States Naval Reserve. He was 62 at the time which was the mandatory retirement age for Naval officers. During the war he led the Navy band at Great Lakes Naval station. By this time Sousa was a wealthy man. He donated his entire salary each month, minus a token $1, to the Sailors’ and Marines’ Relief Fund. He was discharged from active duty in 1918. He remained in the reserves though and in the 1920’s was promoted to lieutenant commander.

On March 6th, 1932 Sousa passed away in Sands Point, New York from heart failure. He had just conducted a rehearsal with the Ringgold Band.

Sousa was a member of Hiram Lodge No. 10 in Washington D.C.

source New World Encyclopedia https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/John_Philip_Sousa

Other skills and personal life

On December 30, 1879, Sousa married Jane van Middlesworth Bellis. The marriage produced three children, John Philip, Jr. (April 1, 1881 – May 18, 1937), Jane Priscilla (August 7, 1882 – October 28, 1958), and Helen (January 21, 1887 – October 14, 1975).

Sousa exhibited many talents aside from music. He wrote five novels and a full-length autobiography, Marching Along, as well as a great number of articles and letters-to-the-editor on a variety of subjects. His skill as a horseman met championship criteria. Sousa also ranks as one of the all-time great trap shooters, and he is enshrined in the Trapshooting Hall of Fame.

In 1905 Sousa published the book Pipetown Sandy, which included a satirical poem titled “The Feast of the Monkeys.” In 1920 he wrote another work called The Transit of Venus, a humorous story about a group of misogynists called the Alimony Club who, as a way of temporarily escaping the society of women, embark on a sea voyage to observe the transit of Venus.

A Freemason, Sousa was fascinated by what the group considered mystical qualities in otherwise natural phenomena. He also composed a march, “Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,” dedicated to the high degree freemasonry Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The march is elaborately scored for traditional band instrumentation.

Marches –

He wrote 136 marches; some of his most popular are:

• “The Gladiator March” (1886) • “Semper Fidelis” (1888) (Official March of the United States Marine Corps) • “The Washington Post” (1889) • “The Thunderer” (1889) • “The Picadore” (1889) • “High School Cadets” (1890) • “The Liberty Bell” (1893) (credits theme for Monty Python’s Flying Circus) • “Manhattan Beach March” (1893) • “The Beau Ideal March” (1893) • “King Cotton” (1895) • “The Stars and Stripes Forever” (1896) (National March of the United States) • “El Capitan” (1896) • “Hands Across the Sea” (dedicated to the band of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets – the Highty Tighties) (1899) • “Invincible Eagle” (1901) (Dedicated to Pan – American Buffalo Exposition) • “The Freelance March” (1906) • “Fairest of the Fair” (1908) • “Glory of the Yankee Navy” (1909) • “U.S. Field Artillery” (1917) • “Processional (Wedding March)” (1918) • “The Gallant Seventh” (1922) • “Nobles of the Mystic Shrine” (1923) • “The Black Horse Troop” (1924) • “Marquette University March” (1924) • “Pride of the Wolverines” (1926) • “Minnesota March” (1927) • “George Washington Bicentennial March” (1932)

Sousa wrote school songs for only four Universities in the country (including Marquette University and the University of Minnesota). The marching brass bass, or Sousaphone, is named after him.

Operettas

• The Queen of Hearts (1885), also known as Royalty and Roguery • The Smugglers (1882) • Desiree (1883) • El Capitan (1896) • The Bride Elect (1897), libretto by Sousa • The Charlatan (1898), also known as The Mystical Miss, lyrics by Sousa • Chris and the Wonderful Lamp (1899) • The Free Lance (1905) • The American Maid (1909), also known as The Glass Blowers

In Memoriam

Brothers: It is with great sadness that I must report the passing of one of our Brother. Brother Edward Waymire was raised to the sublimed degree of a Master Mason on September 4, 1962 He received his fifty year award on September 4, 2012. Brother Edward Waymire passed on Thursday May 28, 2020 in West Columbia S.C. at the age of 90. But alas, he was called by the Great Architect for a much higher purpose. Please keep his wife Rachael, children and great grandchildren in your prayers during this their time of need. May our brother rest in peace. Funeral Services are on hold for the moment, updates will be placed on Anderson Funeral website when they become available. Please leave a message for his family on the online condolences page, the following link is provided. https://www.andersonfuneralhomebeaufortsc.com/obituary/edward- waymire

WB Charles L. Odum of Stafford Lodge No. 216 has laid down his working tools. Please keep his family in your daily devotionals.

Historical Tidbits

Father’s Day

On July 5, 1908, a West Virginia church sponsored the nation’s first event explicitly in honor of fathers, a Sunday sermon in memory of the 362 men who had died in the previous December’s explosions at the Fairmont Coal Company mines in Monongah, but it was a one-time commemoration and not an annual holiday.

The next year, a Spokane, Washington, woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, one of six children raised by a widower, tried to establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents. She went to local churches, the YMCA, shopkeepers and government officials to drum up support for her idea, and she was successful: Washington State celebrated the nation’s first statewide Father’s Day on June 19, 1910.

In 1972, in the middle of a hard-fought presidential re-election campaign, Richard Nixon signed a proclamation making Father’s Day a federal holiday at last. Today, economists estimate that Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on Father’s Day gifts.

Source and more information https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/fathers-day

Flag Day

On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day on June 14.

On June 14, 1777, John Adams spoke about the flag at a meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He said, "Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation." There have been twenty-seven official versions of the flag so far; stars have been added to it as states have entered the Union. The current version dates to July 4, 1960, when Hawaii became the 50th state.

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/modern/jb_modern_birth_1.html

The first celebration of the U.S. Flag's birthday was held in 1877 on the 100th anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777. However, it is believed that the first annual recognition of the flag's birthday dates back to 1885 when school teacher, BJ Cigrand, first organized a group of Wisconsin school children to observe June 14 - the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes as the Flag's Birthday. Cigrand, now known as the 'Father of Flag Day,' continued to publicly advocate the observance of June 14 as the flag's 'birthday', or 'Flag Day' for years.

Just a few years later the efforts of another school teacher, George Balch, led to the formal observance of 'Flag Day' on June 14 by the New York State Board of Education. Over the following years as many as 36 state and local governments began adopted the annual observance. For over 30 years Flag Day remained a state and local celebration. In 1916, the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 became a nationally observed event by a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson. However, it was not designated as National Flag Day until August 3rd, 1949, when an Act of Congress designated June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

Source and more information https://www.military.com/flag-day

Editor’s Note:

I listened to Red Skelton’s sketch on the pledge of allegiance. It reminded me how important and fragile our Republic really is. We must each daily do our part to increase the wisdom of US, strength and support the SGAOTU in US, and restore the beauty of The GARDEN around US.

Daily, the TV decreases our wisdom, evil forces weaken us and the garden is being destroyed for fulfillment of our earthly desires. Freemasonry is a fraternity that stands on the principles of Faith, Hope, Charity. Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. On these principles we come together from every country, race, creed and sect. Now, more than ever, let our exercise of these principles be a beacon of light in the darkness.

Let us be a safe harbor to those who are Faithful, in need, seek knowledge, new relationships, and/or a place to belong. Many people are looking for a change, especially given the recent lockdowns and unrest. Petitions are being requested and issued. May we investigate all candidates and increase the occupied seats. However, we must guard against those who have not been prepared in the heart. Maintaining the secrets of the mysteries that have been entrusted and handed down by oral tradition now as in antiquity.

May God Bless You.

Until we can meet again.

Call in on your Brothers.

Meditate on……

RWB Barron

Vade in pace.