The VA Hospital Visitation Program

They Sit and They Wait

They sit and they wait. They sit and they wait. While they wait, their mind drifts on the winds of their memories. They think of the time when they ran across fields, when their laughter filled the skies and they thank God for it all.

Yet they sit and they wait. They think of their life and savor its aroma. The dancing, the arms around their sweetheart, or their sweetheart’s arms around them. The smell of sweetness that only a full life can give and they thank God for it all. Still they sit and they wait. They think of the time they wore our country’s uniform and stood shoulder to shoulder with their comrades in arms. They can tell stories of the hotness of Africa, the feel of the sand on Normandy, or the volcanic ash of Iwo Jima, the blistery chill of the Chosin Reservoir, the Jima, the blistery chill of the Chosin Reservoir, the smell and taste of the oil on battleships and smell and taste of the oil on battleships and aircraft carriers and the wetness of the aircraft carriers and the wetness of the monsoons. And they thank God for all monsoons. And they thank God for all his blessings. his blessings.

Yet they sit and they wait, waiting Yet they sit and they wait, waiting for you to come. They hope you will for you to come. They hope you will come. They were told to get ready. come. They were told to get ready. So as best they can, they don So as best they can, they don their Sunday best and wait. their Sunday best and wait. Wait for you to take them Wait for you to take them to the chapel to the chapel service so they can thank God for all his g o o d n e s s to them, to have the to them, to have the company of a friend in company of a friend in the presence of their the presence of their God, and to thank you for remembering their answer to our country’s call.

They wait because they no longer can move like the wind. Most are confined to a wheelchair; those that can walk still need a gentle hand to help steady and guide them. Without you, all they can do is sit and wait.

The Masonic Service Association’s Veterans Hospital Visitation Program is one of the longest running programs in our Grand Lodge. We are the most fortunate Grand Lodge in that the hospital we work with is within our own jurisdiction and within the reach or commute of all our lodges. The lodges of our grand jurisdiction have supported our veterans for many years. We purchased busses to ease their transport. We give special attention to the non-denominational We give special attention to the non-denominational chapel. By assisting our veterans in attending chapel. By assisting our veterans in attending these religious gatherings, we provide these religious gatherings, we provide an invaluable service. To enrich their an invaluable service. To enrich their time at their devotions, our Grand time at their devotions, our Grand Lodge has also donated funds to Lodge has also donated funds to purchase an organ, piano, and the purchase an organ, piano, and the complete renovation of the chapel, complete renovation of the chapel, itself, with new altars and pews. itself, with new altars and pews.

But to enjoy the beauty of the chapel, to But to enjoy the beauty of the chapel, to join with their fellow man in the worship join with their fellow man in the worship of their God, they need to get there. of their God, they need to get there.

Each lodge is given a Sunday, some Each lodge is given a Sunday, some two Sundays, each year to particitwo Sundays, each year to participate in this program. The date(s) pate in this program. The date(s) for each lodge is posted on the for each lodge is posted on the calendar on the Grand Lodge’s calendar on the Grand Lodge’s website (grandlodge. website (grandlodge. org). Please don’t leave org). Please don’t leave them waiting. them waiting. n n