As was shared with you in our recent meeting, I’d like to reiterate with all of you the following holidays with you, holidays that give us pause to give thanks for our freedoms.
- Independence Day – the day set aside to commemorate the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
- Memorial Day – Reminds us of the brave U.S. military personnel who have lost their lives while serving in the United States armed forces and observed on the last Monday of May. In many instances, volunteers place American flags on graves of military personnel in national cemeteries. The first national observance of Memorial Day occurred on May 30th, 1868.
- Flag Day is celebrated every year on June 14th. It is the anniversary of the adoption of the official US flag with its stars and stripes. The first official claim of a Flag Day celebration was in Hartford Connecticut in 1861 with all schools in the nation holding programs by the late 1800’s.
- Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is observed annually on November 11th, honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces (who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable). It coincides with other holidays including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day which are celebrated in other countries marking the anniversary of the end of World War I.
After enjoying a traditional hot dog and hamburger dinner in recognition of all these holidays, we relocated into the Lodge Room where we toasted our flag, pledged our allegiance, enjoyed a live performance of the Swing Sisters.
Our August tyled meeting is on Friday the 23rd and starts with dinner at 6:30pm, then moves into the Lodge Room for a tyled meeting by the Chapter of Rose Croix.
Remember, the “Master Craftsman” program is growing and is available to all who are interested. Over time it continues to be enhanced with additional information and It will assist you in gaining a better understanding of The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, as well as the basics of Freemasonry. For information on the Master Craftsman program visit:
MasterCraftsmanCollege.org
As previously shared with you, we have a very active Master Craftsman study group program within the Valley that is available to you. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. If interested, please contact ILL Keith our Valley Secretary at 407-657-4550 or via eMail at GenSecOrl@gmail.com who will assist you in getting started and ensure you are added to the mailing list to receive all invitations to participate via ZOOM. Keep in mind that participating in a study group enhances the Master Craftsman experience for everyone and starts the building of fraternal friendships between those brothers who participate.
In each eNews article, you are encouraged to read the bi-monthly Scottish Rite Journal to enjoy the excellent articles and information that allows you to continue growing and learning.
The Short Talk Bulletin (STB) offers short stories about many varied topics. Please note that this publication is celebrating its one hundredth anniversary with Volume 100. Each Masonic Lodge receives a copy of the STB each month. To start receiving a copy every month visit:
At the start of the 2022, through the eNews, we shared short articles on notable Brothers within the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. This section has expanded and is titled “Notable Brothers of Free and Accepted Masonry.” Each month this section provides an article on a notable Brother Mason(s). To date we have enjoyed featured articles on Albert Pike, Brother Robert Burns, Masonic Presidents, Albert Gallatin Mackey and Benjamin Franklin. In this eNews Astronaut Buzz Aldrin is featured. These short articles afford you another opportunity to learn about the many who have gone before us. Please read and enjoy!
Before closing, I also encourage you to read the article in this eNews prepared by our Trustee, Jay Cebollero, who serves on the Foundation Board. Please read this important article before making your next donation. Jay has provided details regarding the new Sabal Palm program. When donating to our Scottish Rite, please consider this new program (Sabal Palm) when making your next contribution. I will certainly be taking advantage when making my next donation.
Until next time, remember the many things for which you are thankful! Be safe in your travels; “whisper wise counsel in the ear of an erring brother;” and respect the dignity of all, as it makes you and our fraternity stronger one action at a time. We want to ensure that what we are enjoying today will be available for those who follow. Simply stated – “We lead the way today, so those who follow us can lead the way tomorrow!” Thanks for your continued support and participation, and may the “Spirit of Fraternity” reign supreme within our “Valley of Orlando!”
Fraternally,
Ill Chester A. “Chet” King, 33°
Personal Representative
“People forget what you say, and forget what you do, but forever remember how you make them feel!”
Valley of Orlando eNews 