FROM THE PILLAR OF WISDOM

Brethren  & Ladies:

We will have a new twist and location for our annual picnic this year.  It will be held on August 2nd at Santee Lakes located on Lake 1, area A, which is on the far shore just opposite the entrance gate.  There is a $4 parking fee, so don't forget to bring a little cash.  Picnic benches are provided and the site has a large shade tree and is grass covered with ample parking.  Bring your own folding chairs.  I will have our trailer there so we will have access to the pool for six kids at a time and a water spray area for younger kids is near the picnic site.  There is also a video arcade and water craft for rent on Lake 5 Fishing licenses are not required for fishing, but a day pass must be purchased at the Park office located on the main entry road by Lake 5, $8 16 and older and $5 under 15. Hope to see all of you there, more information and plans to follow.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Clint Black, PM, Master

FROM THE PILLAR OF STRENGTH

Brethren,

Memorial Day also was known as Decoration Day when first promulgated under General Order No.11, Grand Army of the Republic Headquarters on the 30th Day of May, 1868.  Part of that Order reads as follows:  "We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance.  All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders.  Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners.  Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.  If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.  Let us then at the appointed time, gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of springtime; Let us raise above them the dear flag they saved; Let us in solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the Nations gratitude - the soldiers and sailors widows and orphans."

Memorial Day, as a name did not become more common in usage until after WWII, and was not declared the official name in Federal Law until 1967.  In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holiday Bill, which moved three traditional holiday dates - Washington's Birthday combined as President's Day in February.  Veterans Day to October and Memorial Day to the last Monday in May.  This law took effect in 1971.  Veterans day was eventually changed back to its traditional date of November 11th.  Regretfully, most business no longer close in observance of Veterans Day.

FROM THE PILLAR OF BEAUTY

"Reflections From The Retreat" The Wardens Retreat now a month behind me I thought I might go back and follow up on suggestions made by the California Grand Lodge leaders.

It was recommended that all Brothers, their widows and children be advised of the important benefits available to them. Often when we call on a delinquent dues question we fail to impart to those who take the call the importance of keeping ones dues current if at all possible, or make sure that a distressed Brother is eligible for remittance of his dues in order to keep him and his family stay eligible for these benefits. When we make these calls we need to determine if help of any kind is needed and direct the contact to the proper resources.

If you are receiving our Trestleboard and have a parent or spouse who is in the hospital or unable to correspond to S. W. Hackett Lodge on their own, please recognize that his annual membership dues are not the principal object of our interest, the well being of our Brother and his family is! At the end of this article you will find the contact information necessary so your husband may have a Masonic Funeral ceremony he requested, or his widow may have access to the Masonic Home(s) facilities of the state in which they are residing should it become necessary for assisted living or more intensive care without fear of cost. If you know of a way to contact or communicate this important information to the wife. Child or caregiver of an -ailing Brother please be sure to take a moment to pick up telephone and do so, or contact one of the lodge officers with the contact information so they may be of assistance in getting the help and benefits available.

Finally, it was recommended to publish the Vision Statement of the future Worshipful Master (namely me, God willing), and I can only tell you what I wrote and read at the breakout session of the Junior Warden Retreat in Ontario. I simply reiterated the many fine and noble contributions of our little Lodge; namely the "Partnership in Education" program diligently fathered by our PM Jim Achenbach and furthered by his lady; The "Child ill" program championed by our great Secretary and PM John Gamache and his lady; Lodge participation in programs dedicated to active duty military like "Wounded Warriors" promoted by our Inspector and PM David Haslim and his lady, and so much more.

For me to add a new program would not improve upon that which we already do so well. Instead I would like to start communicating those important objectives to our existing membership, those in the community, and make that which we do understood and better attended.

And so my friends I exit by saying let your friends and acquaintances know that our mission is to make life better, that we care about our members and our community and we do something about it instead of talk about it, and invite them. to come and see for themselves if they care to.

For more information on MASONIC OUTREACH SERVICES visit www.masonichome.org, call toll free 888-466-3642 or email intake@mhcuc.org

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Steven Laurvick, Jr. Warden

LADIES CORNER

Hi Ladies;