December 2015 Trestleboard

    The 235th Grand Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of the Commonwealth of Virginia was held on November 6th and 7th in Richmond, Virginia. MW Reese Edward Carroll, Jr., "Together, We Can Make A Difference" passed the gavel to MW James Edward Litten, "Setting A Good Example" as the 171st Grand Master of Masons in Virginia. RW Bill Hershey, Jr., Hay Market Lodge No. 313, advanced to Grand Junior Deacon and entering the Line is RW Jim Golladay, Jr. as Grand Junior Deacon from Winchester Hiram Lodge No. 21. In addition RW Paul F. Berry, Sr., My. Carmel Lodge No. 133, was installed as our District Deputy Grand Master for the 4th Masonic District. Our best for a great 2016!

    We had a full November Stated. Eagle Scout Bradley Skaja received his Eagle Scout Certificate from the Grand Lodge and Old Dominion Chapter No. 364, of the National Sojourners, presented the moving History of the Flag in Honor of Veterans' Day. Thanks B Bill Sanner for making this happen. In addition, B Paul Lee Ellers was presented with his 50-Year Veterans' Award! Congratulations! Also, thanks to the Occoquon Chapter DeMolay who provided the wonderful dinner. B Wyatt Hamrick did a great job in returning his Master Mason Catechism (super job) and B Nick Carley received his Diploma from the Grand Lodge for his successful completion of his Master Mason Catechism. Well done! We elected three new members to receive the Degrees of Freemasonry. In addition, we elected RW William Edward Ray, Sr., to Honorary Membership in Manasseh Lodge! Thanks to all who made this happen!

    The 7th Annual Manassas Veterans' Day Parade was held on a rainy Saturday, November 7th. This did not hamper the turnout to honor our veterans. Thanks to B Bill Rieck, Sr., who actively supports our veterans and the parade, including the Freedom Museum!

    In addition, Manasseh Lodge made a Fraternal Visit to Palestine Lodge No. 189 our long standing sister lodge in Maryland. A great time was had by all!

    Our own Most Excellent High Priest of Royal Arch Masons in Virginia, Donald Leo McAndrews, just finished his year in the East of the Grand Chapter. Everyone, please congratulate him when you see him!

    Another of our Brothers laid down his Earthly Working Tools this month and was called to the Celestial Lodge above. Walter Scott Downs, 33°, G.C., an Honorary Member of Manasseh Lodge, was Born: January, 24, 1928, Raised: May 21, 1957, and died: October 26, 2015. His Masonic Service held on November 1st was very well attended and he will be well remembered.

    The 2015 Masonic Year was indeed full and full of memories. George Washington's Gavel visited Manasseh Lodge as did the UK Ritual Team! WOW! Both were just super! As a result, we have been asked to put together a Ritual Team to visit the UK during the 300th Grand Lodge Celebration - if you ware interested, contact me. In addition we had a Joint Communication with the Civil War Lodge of Research, out-of-doors at the Manassas Battlefield. The skies stayed clear and we had a great time! Manasseh Lodge also received the Levy Award for our blood contributions, the Stokes Award for support to the Masonic Home and the Sojourner Bridge of Light Award. In addition, the Lodge receied the C.H. Rowell Award for Ritual Excellence. Finally, the Manasseh Lodge was accorded the James Noah Hillman Memorial Award for Excellence (only 28 of 304 Lodges received this award). All this represents a lot of hard work, dedication, and fun by the members of the lodge. Well done to the entire Lodge!

    Remember! Elections will be on Friday the 4th, Installation of Officers on Saturday the 5th at 2:00 p.m. and the Annual Christmas Party on Sunday the 6th at 2:00 p.m.

    If anyone knows of a Brother who is "Ill or in Distress" please contact RW Linwood Lee Holbrook, Jr.

    Those who wish to have flags flown in honor of a passed brother, please see the Lodge Secretary or myself. Flags flown this month are in honor of B Frank "E" Bolton of Manasseh Lodge, who was called to the Celestial Lodge on June 15th.