Special Commemorative Edition of the Diamond Jubilee of the District Grand Lodge of Syria-Lebanon from the Grand East MW Jeffrey M

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Special Commemorative Edition of the Diamond Jubilee of the District Grand Lodge of Syria-Lebanon from the Grand East MW Jeffrey M SPRING 2017 Special commemorative edition of the diamond Jubilee of the diStrict Grand lodGe of Syria-lebanon From the Grand east MW Jeffrey M. WilliaMson, Grand Master 212/337-6643 [email protected] y Brothers, as we enter this new spring season we find it As your Grand Master I am so appreciative for all you simply astonishing that two-thirds of the first year of this do, not only under the Masonic banner, but also for all of Madministrative term has passed so swiftly by. As we visited the humankind in general. Your individual participation in other brethren, Lodges and Districts within the Empire State, our charitable activities, such as volunteering at a hospital, blood Grand Lodge Officers were simply thrilled to receive the warm and organ donations, food banks, special “Runs” for a cause, and genuine embrace of your Brotherly Love and Affection. United Way, autism, military veterans, youth groups and so on My Brothers, you have given us this marvelous privilege of only proves and reinforces the fundamental belief that Masons spending time with you, to learn about the founding history are naturally good, upright and virtuous people prepared in of your Lodges and the circumstances surrounding your towns their hearts to do the right thing. We must never forget that and regions. In anticipation of our visits you often conducted we are a “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” work parties. Your members spruced up and painted your So as the winter darkness yields to a bright new spring and Masonic Halls, landscaped your lawns and made your the prospects of a new year take root and begin to blossom, let properties a true source of pride and joy. Your Masonic Hall us all resolve to continue this great and important undertaking. now stands shining like a beacon, outwardly reflecting to the The world so desperately needs what Freemasonry has to offer! community the pure and benevolent virtues practiced within Let us always remember that we are a “Force for Good” and its sacred walls. “A Way of Life.” We are also witnessing firsthand your member Brothers demonstrating good work in their individual quarries. They truly understand the concept that Freemasonry is “A Way of Life” as they venture forth in their respective cities, towns and communities. FL Bros. Make 70-Year Presentation n October 24, 2016 at Volusia Lodge 77 in Barserville, FL, W George R. Morris Oreceived a seventy-year certificate and pin. Two Past Grand Masters of the Florida Grand Lodge were on hand for the honors. MW Robert Trump and MW Steven P. Boring were assisted by W Tracey Clutter, Worshipful Master of Volusia Lodge. Brother George R. Morris III presented the certificate and pin. W George R Morris was Raised in Day Spring Lodge 30 in Hamden, CT on June 5, 1946. Several years later he moved to Rochester, NY, where he affiliated with Northfield 426 in Pittsford. He served that Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1960. After moving to Florida, W George pursued an active Masonic career, serving as President of the Master Mason Association in 2000 and later in 2002. He was Worshipful Master of Daytona Beach Lodge 270 and Monarch of Zangi Grotto. W Brother Morris is a dual member of (l-r) Brother George R. Morris III, MW Steven P. Boring, Northfield 426 in New York. He is also a perpetual MW Robert Trump, W George R. Morris, member of Daytona 270 and a plural member of W Tracey Clutter, Master of Volusia 77 Volusia 77 in Barserville. 2 THE EMPIRE STATE MASON MAGAZINE “A Way of Life” SPRING 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 66 / number 1 / sPrinG 2017 IN THIS ISSUE featured HigHligHts: SPRING 2017 236th annual Communications - schedule and Hotel reservations forms 8-10 st. John’s Day schedule . 20 District Grand lodge of syria-lebanon Diamond Jubilee . 23-36 Children’s Cancer Center of lebanon . 37 Grand Master’s United Kingdom Journey . 46-47 Special commemorative edition of the diamond Jubilee of the diStrict Grand lodGe of Syria-lebanon Officers and cOmmittees: from the Grand east . 2 In the fall of 2016 GM Williamson made an Deputy Grand Master . 4 extended visit to the Brothers and Lodges of the District Grand Lodge of Syria-Lebanon. A senior Grand Warden . 5 high point in the trip was a Diamond Jubilee Junior Grand Warden . 5 Celebration and with these words, and the presentation, the Grand Master honored RW Grand Treasurer. 6 Andre Layoun, Past District Grand Master: “In Committee on youth . 7 commemoration and celebration of sixty years Masonic Care Community. 14 of loyalty and faithfulness demonstrated by the brethren of the District Grand Lodge of Syria- acacia Village . 19 Lebanon, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masonic Brotherhood fund . 22 Masons of the State of New York is pleased to proclaim the creation of a new Grand Lodge award Committee. 38 Medal. This medal is named in honor of RW from the Webmaster . 39 Khaled E. Tabet, the first District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Syria-Lebanon, Masonic Medical research laboratory . 40 from 1955-1964.”—Story, page 23 Grand lodge educational assistance Program (eaP). 41 years of service. 42-44 DeMolay . 48-49 Grand Chaplain’s Corner . 51 Dates to remember and submission Guidelines. 53 Grand lecturer . 54 Grand secretary’s Golf Tournament . 55 Camp Turk . 56 TRUSTEES OF THE MASONIC HALL AND ASYLUM FUND Publisher The Empire State Mason is an Official Publication of the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund. Edited by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York for the members of the Masonic Fraternity and their families. CONSULTANTS PosTMasTer: Jeffrey M. WilliaMson CHarles CaTaPano PeTer a. fliHan iii Please send address changes to: Grand Master – editor in Chief Deputy Grand Master Grand Treasurer The empire state Mason Circulation Department JOAN C. BoWer riCHarD s. Morley PaUl M. rosen 71 West 23rd street assistant editor senior Grand Warden Grand secretary ny, ny 10010-4149 Periodicals Class Publication 56874 niCHolas J. PaoliCelli LORAINE DiBley 1-(800) 362-7664 Junior Grand Warden Graphic Designer Website at www.nymasons.org subscription $6.00 Domestic, $15.00 foreign per year. subscription free to all members of constituent lodges of the Grand lodge f. & a.M. state of new york. Copyright ©2017 by the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and asylum fund. all rights reserved. reproduction by recognized Masonic organizations is permitted with credit. all others must obtain written permission. Published quarterly in spring, summer, fall, and Winter months by the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and asylum fund, 71 West 23rd street, ny, ny 10010-4149. THe eMPire sTaTe Mason (issn 0013-6794 Published at 71 West 23rd street, ny, ny 10010-4149). Periodicals postage paid at new york, ny and additional mailing offices. deputy Grand master rW charles CaTaPano, deputy Grand Master 212/337-6640 [email protected] s we say goodbye to the winter and hello to the new spring, in your circle of family, friends and others you may touch. there is freshness in the air of all the Lodges around the Think of what made Masonry the right place for you and what State.A Masonry is alive in all parts of New York and I have can be done to make it that way for other men. We need to witnessed firsthand the amazing work of our Brothers. As I look beyond the doors of the Lodges and show the world who travel and meet so many Brothers at our Town Hall meetings, the Masons are. This will no doubt have the same effect at I have heard the excitement in their voices as they too are home as it is having abroad in the travels of the Grand Master. looking forward for a very prosperous 2017. Foreign jurisdictions are discovering again the prominence of Our Grand Master has been energetically traveling the the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. I’m sure that we world representing our Grand Lodge and the Brothers of New all can do the same in our own towns, cities and Lodges across York. Well, my Brothers, I have been doing the same here. I the State. have visited the Grand Lodges of Pennsylvania and Delaware I look forward to seeing you all at the future Town Hall recently and forged some solid relationships with the current meetings we will be hosting around the State. The purpose DGMs of those respective States. Soon I will be traveling to of these visits is twofold. First, I want to bring you important Nebraska, Connecticut and Wisconsin, to name just a few. information regarding New York Masonry and our Grand These pilgrimages are more than just mini-vacations. They are Lodge; and second, I want to hear from you, the Brothers. priceless opportunities to meet with Brothers in different parts What are your concerns and what are the issues you face in of the country who share our missions and beliefs. These turn promoting Masonry in your community. You can rest assured into new friendships and new resources to tap into that will that if one Lodge is experiencing something, there are others assist us in New York as we move ahead in making Masonry with the same dilemmas. “A Way of Life.” But I always will look at the positive and remind each of you While in Pennsylvania I made contact with Brothers that there are 37,000 Masons in the State of New York right from the Pittsburgh area, also from the Law Enforcement now.
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