Lodge Night

We have a new Master Mason. Randy was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason tonight and it was a very good degree. He was very appreciative and we are proud to have him as a new member. Next Summer he and Mike are going to take a trip all around the United States on their Harley Motorcycles. I am a little envious. But they are much younger than I.

We always have a good lunch at Arcadia.

There are two Brothers in Arcadia who are very special to us. Rollen Phillips on the left and Oliver Boyington on the right. Both are Past Masters and both are "fixtures" in our meetings. They are good ritualists and they are almost always there. Oliver used to live in Minnesota and he still made it to Arcadia Meetings. Now he lives in Clarion and he is a dual member there. He is Master up there and they are doing good work there also.
But the reason I wanted their pictures on my Bolg tonight is that they are both World War II veterans. Some time ago I became aware of a story about an aging parking lot attendant who inspired the song Before You Go. Click Here to go to the Web site to listen to the song.

The composer of the song says:

If we had lost that particular war, our whole way of life would have been shot, the WW II soldiers are now dying at the rate of about 2,000 every day. I thought we needed to thank them."

The song is striking a chord. Within four days of Bierstock placing it on the Web, the song and accompanying photo essay have bounced around nine countries, producing tears and heartfelt thanks from veterans, their sons and daughters and grandchildren.

I know it moved me and others who listened to it. So thanks Rollen and Oliver and by the way Oliver also served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. I am very proud to know these two fine Masons. ARTYAL - Hugs, j