Happy Birthday Brother Teddy Roosvelt

Today October 27th is the 151 birthday of Teddy Roosevelt. I thought we would take a minute together to honor Master Mason Theodore Roosevelt.

But first here is a short list of his accomplishments that commemorates TRs legacy.

As Colonel of the Rough Riders during the Spanish American war he led the charge at the battle of San Juan. Earning himself the Medal of Honor.

In 1901 when President McKinley was assassinated Roosevelt became President at age of 42. Making him the youngest President in history.

Environmental hero-Conservationist He preserved 230 million acres creating National parks and Forests, wildlife refuges and bird sanctuaries.

Theodore Roosevelt became the first American to win the Nobel Prize in 1906 for negotiating for Peace in the Russo-Japanese War.


This is the petition that Brother T.Roosevelt completed to join his home town lodge Matinecock #806 in New york The year dated is 1901, he declared his occupation as Governor. This was just weeks before President McKinley was assassinated.


Theodore Roosevelt, said in 1902"One of the things that attracted me so greatly to Masonry...was that it really did live up to what we, as a government, are pledged upon to--of treating each man on his merits as a man.

The following is an excerpt from Theodore Roosevelt's obituary. His obituary further validated his love and commitment to Freemasonry.

"Colonel Roosevelt was a member of the local lodge of Masons,and never failed to keep up his interest in it. He made a habit for many years of visiting Masonic lodges wherever he went,as a member of the Oyster Bay lodge,and returning ,to tell his brother Masons of his visits. He found Masonic lodges when he was in Africa at the Nairobi, and in South America he found a lodge on the Asuncion River. The Masons here knew from Colonel Roosvelt of the doings of Masonic lodges in all parts of the world......




The Masonic lodge that Brother TR loved and called home is Matinecock #806. The Lodge is still an active lodge. Click here if you have a few minutes. They have a very interesting page on TRs Masonic Life.

FYI

Theodore Roosvelt didnt mind being called Theodore. He prefered TR. He loved the name Colonel (refering to his rank in the Army) He despised the name Teddy.

IT WAS A GREAT DAY

On Saturday October 24th I was the recipient of the Knights Commander Court of Honor. It was a day that I will never forget. My thoughts and emotions are swirling around my head at 90 mph. So Im having alittle trouble finding the words to describe my experience.

So I thought I would share a few photos and words to give you an idea.....

In the background is my Patent. It is signed by Sovereign Grand Commander Ron Seale of the Southern Jurdisdiction of Scottish Rite. It was placed in my hands by my Illustrious Jerry Oliver and his personal Representive James O Burlingame- 33 Grand Cross Court of Honor.


This is my Red hat. It was placed on my head by my Friend and Brother Brian Beerman 33 degree/Junior Grand Warden Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

This beauitful medallion-pocket piece is causing me a dilemma. Inspector General Jerry Oliver personally made this a gift to celebrate the election to KCCH . He said that he going to present it to us when we received our Patent. So I promised myself during the cermony that I would carry it forever(even though I had not seen the medallion). After I sat down at my table and gazed upon this beauitful keep sake.

I dont want to take it out of its protective case for I wish to gaze upon its simple beauty and recall that beauitful ceremony. So all day I have had it in my pocket in its case to preserve it for alittle while longer. ( Jerry Oliver showed us his keepsake. It was very well worn and I know very treasured as mine)

These are a few thoughts and images that I wished to share with you .

PS I have made it a rule that I dont publish personal items in this blog. I could help myself

just practicing bragging rights I guess .

Remember Whence You Came

Once the game is over the king and pawn go back to the same box.

An Irish Saying

Its a 200th Birthday Celebration

I will be attending the 200th Anniversary and Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ohio this week October 16 and 17th in Toledo Ohio.

The Bicentennial celebration will begin with a loud bang. On the evening of October 16th a Gala of Fireworks will entertain all of the attendees and the citizens of Toledo.

I wish I had time to sneak away and join the ladies' program. They will visit the Toledo Museum of Art, one of America's finest art museums. Its seven buildings hold 30,000 pieces of all kinds of Art. From neoclassical, art deco, to post modern and many other kinds -- many of which I am unfamiliar with. The buildings are located on 32 acres of green space and outdoor sculptures. It looks like a marvelous place.

Its going to be a celebration with Grand Master Charles Murphy and the 110,000 Masons of Ohio. I cant wait.

Past Grand Master Benjamin Franklin comments on Freemasonry

"Masonic labor is purely a labor of love.
He who seeks to draw Masonic wages
in gold and silver
will be disappointed.
The wages of a Mason
are in the dealings with one another;
sympathy begets sympathy,
kindness begets kindness,
helpfulness begets helpfulness,
and these are the wages of a Mason."

The World's Oldest Man is a Freemason (and from Minnesota)

On September 21st, Brother Walter Breuning celebrated his 113th birthday and became the "World's Oldest Man."

Here are a few interesting facts about about Brother Walter:

Walter was born in Melrose Minnesota on September 21, 1886.

His earliest memory is hearing his Grandfather speak about fighting with the Union Army during the Civil War.

Brother Walter only had two jobs in his life. His first job he moved to Great Falls Montana in 1918 to work on the expanding railroads. He worked on the railroads for 50 years. When he retired he became Manager/Secretery of his local Shrine Unit. When he turned 99 he retired from that job.
Brother Walter is a 33 degree Scottish Rite, and all of his Masonic organizations are in Great Falls, Montana.

In the photo, Junior Grand Warden Tom Duffy of the Grand Lodge of Montana is presenting a George Washington gavel. The gavel is from Potomac Lodge #5 in Washington D.C.

The Grand Lodge of Montana plans to return to celebrate Walters 114th birthday. Walter said "OK Ill be here."

If you click on the link it will take you to a website developed by the Great Falls Tribune to comemmorate Brother Walters birthday. Its has a lot of nice photos and contains some of Walter's secrets to long living.

Oh by the way.....the retirement home that Walter is staying has 12 women who are older than Walter. It must be the water in Montana, huh?

New Jersey has a great idea..why cant we?

The Grand Lodge of New Jersey is using the current attention on Freemasonry from Dan Brown book "The Lost Symbol" into a positive experience for the local lodges and their communities. If you want more details just click on the image and read what the Grand Lodge of New Jersey is planning on doing.

Nothing is diffcult if your willing..............................