Greetings Brethren,

We had a wonderful “Remembrance and Renewal” due to the hard work of our Chapter of Rose Croix.  Thanks go to our Wise Master, Honorable Brother Rossi Ross and his team for the excellent tribute to our lost Brethren and Renewal of our Scottish Rite values. 

The program for our May Lodge of Perfection will be presented by myself on the differences and similarities of the Northern and Southern Jurisdictions of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.  Having been a member in a Valley in both Jurisdictions my hope is to bring an interesting presentation to provide interesting tid-bits of the Degrees, Bodies, Caps etc. that make each Jurisdiction unique.  I will also provide some historical perspective, as well.

ZOOM ACCESS TO OUR LODGE OF PERFECTION MEETINGS 

I want to apologize to those brethren that may have attempted to Zoom into our April Lodge of Perfection meeting.  We had technical difficulties that did not allow us to Zoom during that meeting.  I believe, in working with our provider that the problem has been resolved for the May meeting.  We plan to offer this capability to our membership going forward.  We want to offer this to those of our brethren that may be homebound, unable to drive at night or any other member that would benefit “attending” our meetings virtually.  This capability is also great for our members and other Scottish Rite Brethren who are remote and live great distances from Columbus.

MASONIC RESUME

Brethren, I want to reiterate a new program for the Valley of Columbus.  I am asking each of you to provide a digital Masonic Resume to our General Secretary, Honorable Brother Roger Buterbaugh, 32° KCCH.  This can be sent to him via his Valley email: colsec@gascottishrite.org.  What is expected in this resume?  Masonic Organizations, when joined (for example when initiated, passed and raised a Master Mason); Officer Positions held, when and dates of service; community service (any community organizations that you belong to - dates joined and time served), examples may include Lions, Rotary, etc.; service to your faith and or church/temple (are you an usher, serve on committees, etc.); Government service such as county commissioner, city service, etc.  Any other important information such as employment, education or what you may want to include.  Any updates (elected to a new office, join another concordant body), please update with an updated date and forward to our General Secretary. 

Why are we putting this in place?  This will help us in supporting brethren for honors, possible newsletter articles or any situation where “color commentary” may be useful to the brother.  Please note, information will only be used with the express approval of the brother whose information is to be used. 

ORIENT WIDE REUNION

Brethren, are there any Master Masons in your Lodge or who you may know that would make a great Scottish Rite Mason?  Or a brother who you think would benefit from membership in the Scottish Rite?  Consider introducing them to our Valley.  Invite them and their significant other to our monthly Lodge of Perfection meeting on the third Friday of each month.  Dinner is on us. 

Importantly, make them aware that the Orient of Georgia is having “The Grand Masters Class” to be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Atlanta Masonic Center.  They will participate in an epic Reunion.  They will observe some of the best ritual of some of our Scottish Rite Degrees, including our very own team that will be performing the 14th Degree, Perfect Elu.  Thank you to Illustrious Paul Wells, 33°, Degree Director Illustrious John Ohrt, 33° and the other members of our 14th Degree team for this outstanding effort.  Do not miss our team and others at this very special Reunion.  Even if you have been a Scottish Rite Mason for years, I guarantee you will find growth in observing the Degrees at this Reunion.

MASONIC HENRY RIFLE RAFFLE TO SUPPORT THE GEORGIA SCOTTISH RITE FOUNDATION

Brethren, in support of our efforts to provide scholarships to worthy students who attend a Georgia four-year University or College and funds for RiteCare in the Orient of Georgia an Orient wide raffle of a Masonic decorated Henry rifle is in effect.  This effort will run to early June.  Tickets can be purchased at all Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus events.  Cost: one (1) ticket for $10.00 or six (6) for $50.00.  See Brother Bayardo Reyes for tickets.

MEMORIAL DAY

As we approach the beginning of Summer with the weekend of Memorial Day, it is right and just that I write about this very American Day of remembrance.  As the Valley of Columbus’ area includes Ft. Benning it is especially important to pay tribute to many of our Membership who may have lost friends, teammates, and those of their Band of Brothers.  We are fortunate to have as members proud veterans and others still serving on that thin red line protecting our freedoms.

Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday for honoring and mourning the US Military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Services It is observed on last Monday of May. 

The first national observance of Memorial Day occurred on May 30, 1868.  Then known as Decoration Day, the holiday was proclaimed by Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic to honor the Union soldiers who had died in the Civil War.  This national observance was preceded by many local ones between the end of the Civil War and Logan's declaration. Many cities and people have claimed to be the first to observe it. However, in 2022, the National Cemetery Administration, a division of the Department of Veterans Affairs, credited Mary Ann Williams with originating the "idea of strewing the graves of Civil War soldiers - Union and Confederate" with flowers.

Columbus, Georgia

The United States National Park Service and numerous scholars attribute the beginning of a Memorial Day practice in the South to a group of women of Columbus, Georgia. The women were the Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus. They were represented by Mary Ann Williams (Mrs. Charles J. Williams) who, as Secretary, wrote a letter to the press in March 1866 asking their assistance in establishing annual holiday to decorate the graves of soldiers throughout the south.  The letter was reprinted in several southern states and the plans were noted in newspapers in the north. The date of April 26 was chosen. The holiday was observed in Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, Columbus and elsewhere in Georgia as well as Montgomery, Alabama; Memphis, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; New Orleans, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi, and across the south.  In some cities, mostly in Virginia, other dates in May and June were observed. General John A. Logan commented on the observances in a speech to veterans on July 4, 1866, in Salem, Illinois.   

Official recognition as a holiday spread among the states, beginning with New York in 1873.  By 1890, every Union state had adopted it. The World Wars turned it into a day of remembrance for all members of the U.S. military who fought and died in service. In 1971, Congress standardized the holiday as "Memorial Day" and changed its observance to the last Monday in May.

It is a day to remember those who gave that last full measure of devotion in defense of our great Republic.  Please make an effort to visit a national cemetery near you.  Participate in a community memorial service.  This day is not just about hamburgers and hot dogs.  It is our joy to enjoy these typical summer festivities because, so few gave so much for so many.

I leave you with the following letter that President Abraham Lincoln wrote to a mother.  A mother that lost five sons in the great struggle of the Civil War.  I cannot imagine losing one child, but five….

“Executive Mansion,

Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.

Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln”

Let us never forget…

Warmest Fraternal Regards,  Joe

Joseph F. Oelgoetz III, 32° KCCH

Personal Representative to the

Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the

Orient of Georgia