VOLUME 17, ISSUE 1
January/February 2010
BEACON A JOINT PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF OHIO AND THE OHIO MASONIC HOME
Congressman Bob Latta Continues Half Century of Masonic Heritage in Ohio By George Braatz, PGM
W
hen it comes to public service, Freemasons have been solidly in the forefront in one region in northern Ohio. For nearly 51 consecutive years – from 1959 to the present – the 5th Congressional District has been represented in Washington, D.C., by Master Masons. Robert E. “Bob” Latta, of Bowling Green and a member of Wood County Lodge #112, has been a U.S. Congressman since December, 2007. The 5th Congressional District, which he represents, is the second largest in Ohio and includes 16 counties. Brother Latta’s father is Delbert Latta, who served the same District for 29 years, from 1959 until his retirement in 1988. He, too, is
U.S. Congressman Robert E. “Bob” Latta
Get Caught Up With New, Improved Web Sites
The Ohio Masonic Home and its family of campuses and services are starting 2010 in a fresh way with redesigned and improved web sites.
It’s now more convenient and user friendly to find the latest information from each organization. Continued on page 8
a member of Wood County Lodge and a 33rd Degree member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Toledo. At age 89, he is a 63-year Mason. When the elder Brother Latta decided to retire, he endorsed his son to replace him. However, Bob Latta lost the election to Paul E. Gillmor. Brother Gillmor, of Old Fort, was a member of Oliver H. Perry Lodge #341 in Port Clinton and was a 33rd Degree Mason. He served in Congress for nearly 20 years. After his unexpected death in September, 2007, the younger Brother Latta was elected to the Congressional seat. Brother Latta has the utmost respect for Freemasonry and what it stands for. He learned the respect from his father, “that we should live the lifestyle of a Freemason, taking care of others and always doing the right thing.” Continued on page 3
In This Issue: Keeping the Light Burning ...................4 Writing a New Life Chapter .................5 Hands To Help in All Directions ...........6 Masonic Model ...................................7 Bicentennial Prints & Photos ..............11 Debt of Freedom...............................13