Very Special Communication at Jefferson Lodge #43 State Senator and Brother, Dr. Rob Schaaf (Lincoln #138), had a great idea. Several Missouri State Legislators are members of the Craft. The 97th General Assembly is in session in Jefferson City at the Capitol from January to May. Why not get the Brethren together one evening to attend Lodge and initiate a new Brother? It would be a chance to briefly set aside political differences, have Masonic fellowship and take a break from the pressures of the legislative session. All that would be needed: find a night when the Jefferson City Lodge building would be available, arrange for a meal, find a worthy and well qualified candidate, have him petition the Lodge, be investigated and his petition balloted on, coordinate schedules, practice the ritual, call a Special Communication, identify and invite all brothers serving in the legislature — and make sure both the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives go into recess and then not reconvene that night until after the Lodge meeting was concluded. Almost an impossible undertaking, but after much effort and cooperation, the necessary designs were drawn upon the trestle-board and on April 9, 2013, Jefferson Lodge #43 held a Special Communication to initiate Senator Mike Kehoe into the Mysteries of Freemasonry with over sixty Brethren in attendance. That evening the Senate recessed just after 5:30 p.m. upon the motion of Senate Majority Floor Leader, Brother Ron Richard (Fellowship #345). The House followed suit shortly thereafter thanks to the efforts of several State Representatives including, among others, Worshipful Brother Ken Wilson (Temperance #438) and Brother Caleb Jones (California #183). Upon arrival at the Lodge the Brethren were treated to a full German meal catered from Das Stein Haus Restaurant and provided courtesy of Brothers Jeff Davis (Caruthersville #461/Polar Star-Rose Hill #79) and Richard McIntosh (Lincoln #138).
Worshipful Brother Michael Rohman and the officers of Jefferson Lodge opened the Lodge on the first degree of Freemasonry in due form just after 7:00 p.m. RWB Brent Stewart then assumed the East for the First Section of the degree, assisted by Senator Bob Dixon as Junior Warden, Senator Rob Schaaf as Senior Deacon, and Senator Jay Wasson as Senior Steward. The lecture was given by RWB Robert Floyd, Grand Lecturer, followed by remarks from Most Worshipful Brother David L. Ramsey, Grand Master. The Lodge then was closed in due form and the Senate and the House called back into session just before 9:00 p.m., with the Brethren returning to their labors at the Capitol only a few minutes late.
Pictured from left to right, first row: Senators and Brothers David Pearce (Corinthian #265), Brad Lager (Lincoln #138), Jason Holsman (Grandview #618), and Jay Wasson (Friend #352); RWB Brent Stewart, Junior Grand Warden; Senator and Brother Mike Kehoe (Jefferson #43); Most Worshipful Brother David L. Ramsey, Grand Master. Center row: RWB David Haywood, Senior Grand Warden; Worshipful Brother Michael Rohman (Master, Jefferson #43); Brother Scott Stacey (JD, Jefferson #43); Senator and Brother Bob Dixon (Solomon #271). Back row: RWB Richard L. Smith, Senior Grand Deacon; State Representative and Brother Eric Burlison (Solomon #271); RWB Robert Floyd, Grand Lecturer; Senator and Brother Dr. Rob Schaaf (Lincoln 138); RWB Thomas L. Truman, Grand Chaplain; and RWB Ty G. Treutelaar, Grand Chaplain. Not pictured: State Representative and Brother Bryan Spencer (Polar Star-Rose Hill #79); RWB Jon B. Broyles, Deputy Grand Master; and RWB Ronald D. Miller, Grand Secretary.
Alton G. Roundtree Featured as Truman Lecture Series Speaker Presentation provides insights on Prince Hall Freemasonry On May 4, Brother Alton G. Roundtree was the featured speaker at the Missouri Lodge of Research meeting at the Masonic Complex in Columbia. Brother Roundtree spoke to a capacity crowd gathered for the spring edition of the Lodge of Research's acclaimed Truman Lecture Series. During his presentation he shared fascinating stories regarding the history and development of Prince Hall Freemasonry. Alton is, along with Paul M. Bessel, author of the bestseller and internationally acclaimed book, Out of the Shadows: The Emergence of Prince Hall Freemasonry in America (Over 90 Fall 2013
225-years of Endurance). He is also author of The National Grand Lodge and Prince Hall Freemasonry: The Untold Truth. Alton is in the process of completing a book on the history of Prince Hall Freemasonry in the District of Columbia. He is also in the process of completing a book on the History of the Prince Hall Conference of Grand Masters. Brother Roundtree is the President of KLR Publishing. He retired from the United States Air Force after a 20 year career. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for the Mitre Corporation and Northrup Grumman. the missouri freemason