celebrating freedom
Celebrating Freedom from Tyranny J. David Moses Rozsa, Sr Grand Steward Co-Chairman, Grand Lodge Independence Day Community Activities Committee
Our Masonic marchers at the National Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue
Craft and revel in their successful implementation (and survivability) in the “great experiment� which is the USA. Of course, being involved in the parades also helps us reach out to our communities and increase positive public awareness of Freemasonry.
The Brethren in Palisades grilled and served 3,000 hot dogs.
T
alk about institutional memory. On Independence Day 2010, the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia turned out in force to celebrate the 234th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. DC Freemasons marched in the National Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue and in local community parades in Palisades, Capitol Hill, and Takoma Park. Independence Day is of special significance to Freemasons, given the significant involvement of Masons in the leadership of the American Revolution against colonial tyranny, and the strong correlation between Masonic principles and those contained in the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Thus, the 4th of July is a great opportunity for Masons to reflect on the tenets of our
The Voice of Freemasonry
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Our participation in each parade was organized and led by one of our constituent Lodges: Potomac Lodge No. 5 at Palisades; Hiram-Takoma Lodge No. 10 at Takoma Park; Naval Lodge No. 4 at Capitol Hill; and Albert Pike Lodge No. 33 at the National Parade. Masons who marched in the three local community parades handed out American flags and businesscard-sized copies of the Bill of Rights (with our Grand Lodge contact information on the back) to thousands of parade watchers. At the Palisades parade, more than 3,000 hot dogs were grilled, led by Worshipful Brother Jeremy S. Barnes and Brother Robin Bodie (both of Potomac Lodge No. 5) and given to those who came to enjoy live music and family activities. At the National Parade, hundreds of thousands of spectators watched and cheered as 33 Freemasons marched down Constitution Avenue in three straight lines symbolically representing the three pillars of Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty. There were even a few wolf whistles! (They were probably for the
