May 2022 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 Trestleboard

May 2022

Will you be at the 140th Annual Communication at the Wild Horse Hotel and Casino to vote for our very own RWB Jim Baker as Grand Master of Masons for the Grand Lodge of Arizona?

We need you to come out and support our esteemed Brother. If elected he will be installed at a specially planned dinner on Friday night. This is your opportunity to be a part of Gila Valley history. If elected he will be the third member of Gila Valley to have held this honor.

Why would you do that? This question has been asked of me many times in many different ways, meaning many different things. Well, why would I do that?

know ride so they can give back to the community and help others in need. I have been asked a few times why I ride with the groups I ride with. The answer is easy…I ride with them because the money Once I was asked when I stayed in the US Navy we raise from these rides goes to charitable organiReserves, “Why do you stay?” My reply was simple zations. We ride, generate money, and have a great and required no thought on my part. It was “I can- time doing it. Then we give all that money away to help others. Who wouldn’t enjoy that? not guarantee anything in the future other than I did my part to ensure the same way of life we all Being charitable is just that…being charitable…help now share, for my son.” others in need. That doesn’t always mean monetariI asked a co-worker once to help a few of us U.S. ly either. It could be as simple as just being there to military veterans with organizing and participating in listen when someone needs to vent or talk about a fund raiser for the MANA House in Phoenix. something that is bothering them. It could mean This is a place for homeless veterans to live and lending a hand to someone who can’t quite lift the work on a new life through education and employ- bag of cement into their vehicle at Home Depot, or ment. His response was “What is in it for me? Why checking on your neighbor’s house while they are would I give anything to anyone if there is nothing out of town. in it for me?” I was completely taken back by his questions because he is also a veteran. I told him what is in it for him is the satisfaction that he helped a fellow veteran out when he/she needed it.

Another time I was asked why I became a Mason. I replied by stating that I wanted to be the man my grandfather was. He was a Mason and a Shriner who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. I also mentioned that it feels good to help others in need when I can.

So why be charitable? Well, why not? What good comes from never helping another? From what I have seen nothing good ever comes from never helping another. Helping someone could lead to a lifelong friendship or relationship. It could also lead to nothing more than feeling good about yourself, and that is what being charitable is all about. Helping others because it feels good. And it should because it is the right thing to do.Fraternally,

Eric Smith

There are a lot of people who look at motorcycle riders as bad people because we ride motorcycles and wear leathers. What those people do not realize is just how charitable “bikers” are. The riders I

2022 Master Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

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The Lewis was and is a tool used for lifting large objects. The origins of the Lewis as an instrument used in operative Masonry is lost to history. It is known that the Romans used it. It probably goes back even farther than that. In modern times different types of tools are still referred to as a Lewis, although how they are used differs from the earliest forms. The origin of the name Lewis is also lost to history.

made part of the structure. In speculative Freemasonry a Lewis is the son of a Freemason who joins the fraternity. As an analogy it is commonly meant that the father raised (levatum) the son into position to take his place as part of the structure of Freemasonry.

Interestingly in descriptions of how ancient operative masons lifted the objects into place it is said that adThere are some who believe Lewis was actually a ditional strapping is used to prevent a bump into proper name, perhaps the inventor of the tool. Oth- scaffolding that would temporarily take some of the ers believe it could come from the Latin leva to lift friction away causing the stone to fall before it could (also levavi -lifted and levatum - raised). be placed. Extending the analogy of the Lewis in regards to speculative Masons, the straps could be The types of Lewis include the external Lewis, chain viewed as other members in the Lodge who assist in linked Lewis, split pin Lewis, two pinned Lewis and the raising of the new stone into place. the three legged Lewis. Regardless of the type of Lewis that is being used the principals of the opera- Some jurisdictions provide Lewis jewels for their tion of the Lewis remain the same. By the use of fric- members. Requirements vary from jurisdiction to tion and the weight of the object being lifted a Lewis jurisdiction as to what makes an individual eligible is attached to the object and hoisted into place by for a a Lewis jewel. It is almost always that the father attaching ropes or other appropriate lifting mechaand son are both Masons. What can vary is when the nisms to the Lewis. With the various types of Lewis, father became a Mason. In some jurisdictions it is the most commonly referred to in Freemasonry is required that the father be a Mason before the son is the three legged Lewis. born and there can be multiple drops on a Lewis jewel indication a lineage of family members going This also goes by the names dovetailed Lewis, St. back several generations in others.

Peter's Keys and Wilson Bolt. The three legged Lewis was inserted in a properly cut hole in the top of the by: Bro. Author Unknown stone. The object was then lifted into place and

CALIENTE COFFEE CLUB SINCE 1985 First and third Tuesday at 9:00 aM Caliente Club House, Florence Arizona

MASONIC CONVERSATION, FELLOWSHIP, and EDUCATION For Information call Dewey Jefferson at 520-576-2329

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Brothers I was thinking the other day about what May means to us. It is the time of year when we get to really start getting hot again from the 100+ heat.

It is the time of year when we all start to think about planning our big family get together on Memorial Day. It is the time of year when children are ecstatic that they will be out of school and taking time to swim run play and just be kids until the start off the next school year. But for some of us it is a time of remembrance.

We will be focusing in on the Holiday that recognizes our fallen soldiers from past and present war conflicts while serving in the armed forces.

When did Memorial Day start?

start” to this holiday of Remembrance. Now remember this was a day of remembrance that would remember the civil war. Not every war up till then or after, just the civil war.

It wasn’t until after the end of World War one when the day would then expand to honor those who have died in all American wars. So let that sink in from 1868 to 1918 the only thing that was being remembered or kept in observance was the Death of all the Americans who had died in the civil war and only the civil war!! However, it would not be until 1971 that Memorial day would be declared a national holiday by an act of Congress. This change was also made to the date when deciding to recognize this day as a holiday, they had made the change to moving Memorial Day, aka Decoration day, to the last Monday of the Month of May and has been there and recognized ever since.

Well, we find that out through the va.gov that the official recognition of the holiday was done Three years after the Civil war had come to a close, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans- the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)- If you would like to learn more the place, I would established Decoration Day as a time for the nation recommend you turn to is va.gov to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Till next time brothers.

Later Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30th. This is when it was officially recognized by the Government and the country. The first 2022 Senior Warden times that it was seen to be occurring was as early as Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 April 25, 1866, two full years prior to the “official

John Woode

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Chapter Game Night this month. Catan, Apples to Apples and Cards Against Humanity (Family Edition). Finger foods, Snacks and treats enjoyed.

The

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I started this article with some research into Mother's Day origins and it immediately directed my attention to the Civil War and the origins of Memorial Day. I resisted the temptation to stray from my intention to write about Mother's Day, however, the Month of May has several flag flying days that are all worthy of our attention. International Firefighter's Day May 4, VE Day May 8, Mother's Day May 8, Peace Officer's Memorial Day May 15, Armed Forces Day May 21 and Memorial Day May 30, 2022.

Typhoid fever and other epidemics ran rampant through the region largely due to poor sanitary conditions. In 1858 while pregnant with her 6th child she enlisted the help of her brother, Dr. James Reeves to educate the mothers of the area on best hygiene practices. These education clinics or events were titled Mother's Day Work Clubs and helped slow the spread of diseases and infant mortality.

On May 10, 1908 Anna Marie Jarvis held another memorial service but this time honoring all mothers. She The Mother's Day holiday we celebrate in the United had 500 white carnations sent to the Methodist Church States started with Anne Marie Jarvis holding a memo- in Grafton, West Virginia for the memorial service and rial service for her mother on May 12, 1907 at St An- since which time the white carnation has been adopted drew's Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. in remembrance of our deceased mothers. Red carnaThe inspiration for creating the day of honoring moth- tions are for living mothers and the pink is for gratiers comes from a prayer Anna Jarvis heard her mother tude and love. recite after teaching a Sunday School lesson in 1876, "I Anna Jarvis lobbied Congress to adopt Mother's Day hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a as a national holiday but Congress rejected the promemorial Mother's Day commemorating her for the posal. The only reason they cited was that if they matchless service she renders to humanity in every adopted a Mother's Day, they would also have to defield of life." After her mother died in 1905, she vowed clare a Mother In Law's Day too. She continued to to fulfill that dream. lobby Congress to no avail so she turned her attention Anna's mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis was a very caring to the states. By 1911 every state in the nation oband compassionate women who tended to wounded served Mother's Day. Finally in 1914 President WoodUnion and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. row Wilson established Mother's Day as a National She also, saw and endured much hardship herself dur- Holiday to be observed on the 2nd Sunday in May ing the 1800's in the Appalachian region of West Vir- each year to honor all mother's and mother figures. ginia seeing only 4 of her 13 children live to adulthood.

Mother's Day celebrations soon became

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commercial events for companies to profit from. This upset Anna Jarvis and she began a campaign to prevent the commercialization of Mother's Day for profit. She believed the focus on profit was a complete misinterpretation of her intention of it being a sentimental holiday not a commercial one. She continued her efforts to keep business out of the holiday the rest of her life.

She was arrested in 1925 for disturbing the peace by disrupting a Mother's Day celebration. Anna spent most of her personal wealth on legal fees trying to prevent companies profiting from her holiday. Despite her objections, Mother's Day cards and gifts are given and celebrations held with the sentiment and love of the original intent of honoring all mothers. Mother's Day has always been a special time spent with my mother and family. Her birthday is May 9 and quite often is on Mother's Day. She would have been 101 this year.

As Freemasons we can relate our teachings to the care and compassion Ann Reeves Jarvis displayed during her lifetime and who was the inspiration behind the creation of Mother's Day. "By the exercise of Brotherly Love, we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family, the high and the low, the rich and the poor, who, as created by one Almighty Parent and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support, and protect each other."

"To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly upon Masons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection."

Fraternally,

Jim Baker 2022 Deputy Grand Master Grand Lodge of Arizona

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Few topics give rise to so much confusion in new Masons as the Obligations and Penalties. Because they are, in many ways, the ethical and symbolic heart of the Fraternity, it’s important to understand them. The Obligations are the things we promise to do or not do. The Penalties are the consequences we offer to undergo if we break our Obligations. The Obligations are real, literal, and more than literal. The Penalties are symbolic, not real. The Obligations are promises made to God and all the Brethren of the Fraternity, not just your lodge, and are made in the name and presence of God and the presence of the Brethren. The Penalties are acknowledgements of the shame and pain any true man should feel at the thought he had broken his word, as well as a reminder that the decision to become a Mason is a decision to live at a HIGHER level.

The Obligations become more extensive and demanding with each Degree. The assumption is that the candidate is growing and developing in the process, leaving behind a primitive and unsophisticated understanding and becoming progressively more aware and comprehending. Thus, in the Entered Apprentice Degree, you promise little more than to keep confidential those things which should be confidential. In the Fellow Craft Degree the promises are greater, as befits one who is now suppose to have his passions under control and to be moving to a higher level of thinking. The Obligations of a Master Mason

are discussed with that Degree.

Are the promises real and literal? Yes. When you promise that you will help a poor and distressed Entered Apprentice, assuming that you find his need is real, we expect that you will do so, so far as you can without doing harm to yourself or your family. But, in a sense, they are more than literal. The Lodge is a symbol of the world. Thus, if you promise to do something for an Entered Apprentice who is a member of the Lodge, you are promising to do it for any person in the world, at least to some extent. Most of us feel that we are required to go further in keeping obligations to a member of the fraternity than we are to a non-Mason, simply because the Mason has bound himself to the rest of us by the same Obligations. But the obligations should never be interpreted to suggest that we owe moral, ethical and charitable behavior ONLY toward those who are Masons.

The Penalties seem, at first glance, to be unbelievably cruel and heartless. It comes as a shock to learn these were all penalties actually used by the legal system in Europe during the 1500’s, 1600’s and early 1700’s.

Once again, in Masonry, the Penalties are symbolic, not real. In order to understand the symbolism, it’s useful to recall a few facts. *In the days when the ritual of Masonry was developing, knowledge and understanding were thought to be on the heart, not the brain. We still speak of “learning something by heart,” or

The Pinal County Animal Care and Control is once again full of dogs and needs our help again. Please bring in your old blankets and dog toys for us to donate for our next Stated Meeting!! There will be a box for collection of the donated items!

Other items that are needed: Cleaning supplies - Blankets and towels – Peanut butter (xylitol-free) – Pet Food—Medicine - Office supplies - Grooming tools

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knowing something by heart. *Intuition and emotional comprehension and sensitivity were thought to be in the intestines.

Thus, you will still find many written references to the bowels of mercy. “And we still speak of a “gut reaction,” or “a feeling in the gut,” when we mean something that we know is true without knowing how we know----an intuitive reaction. *The classical world of Greece and Rome believed that the earth and the universe were made of five elements, four of which were physical and one of which was esoteric and seldom mentioned. The four physical elements were earth, air, fire, and water. The fifth or esoteric element (the quintessence) was spiritual or ethereal.

*The Penalty for each Obligation corresponds to the It is impossible to discuss the penalties more specifi- position of the cable tow for that Degree. cally, as they are, in many Jurisdictions, esoteric, but with the information given above and your knowledge This information was found in a book named, Furof the Degrees, consider the following statements. ther Light, written by, Jim Tresner, and Published By, *The penalty for each Obligation involves the destruction of the part of the body which was abused or The Masonic Service Ass. Of North America, in Nay misused in the breaking of the Obligation (silence, 200Fraternally, knowledge, or insight and intuition).

Dewey Jefferson

*The Penalty for each Obligation involves two of the four classical elements (earth-water, earth-air, fire-air).

It can be assumed that the spiritual or ethereal element is involved as well.

2022 Junior Warden Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

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The George Washington Memorial Society comprises a select group of members who are dedicated to supporting the Memorial and its Mission. The purpose of the Society is to raise support for the George Washington Masonic National Memorial’s operations and to increase awareness of the Memorial’s mission among Freemasons and the wider community.

The emblem of the Society is a special version of the official crest of The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association. An image of the Memorial building in the center of the emblem serves as an important reminder of the commitment that each member of the George Washington Memorial Society has made.

Please note that GWMS membership is for individuals only. Lodges are encouraged to consider the Society of Washington Lodges, and other opportunities for support are available for lodges and other organizations as well.

Charter Membership is conferred for contributions of $1,000 or more to the Memorial with the membership application, and $250 or more per year thereafter.

Your Memorial Society dues benefit our annual fund, and are put to use to support the daily operations of the Memorial. To support the restoration work, consider an additional contribution to the Landmark Century Campaign.

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The “Capitular” or Chapter Degrees of Freemasonry refers the four degrees of the York Rite system that follow the “blue lodge” or “Craft” degrees. The Holy Royal Arch is the final degree and the culmination of the Chapter experience for a candidate. The Chapter is the second body of the York Rite of Freemasonry (following the Symbolic or 'Blue' Lodge), though in some Jurisdictions it is considered the completion of the initial three degrees and is part of the regular Craft experience. All Master Masons are eligible for membership. Contact RW Jim Baker, or WB Paul Dore at pauldoresr@cox.net for more information

Do you have a son 12-21 years Old? Saguaro Order of the DeMolay is the premier youth leadership organization building young men of character and dedicated to making young men better people and leaders and sponsored by Gila Valley Lodge 9, Pinal Lodge No. 30, and Eloy Lodge No. 46 Meetings are held twice monthly on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month starting at 6:00 pm. All parents are welcome and are encouraged to attend and get involved in this great organization. They meet at Pinal Lodge #30 located at 1140 E. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande, Arizona 85122.

Great Men wear a Fez! We're counting on you… Who do you know that would make a good Mason and Shriner? A friend? A family member? A coworker? Commit to making a difference!

The future of our fraternity relies on your commitment.

CLICK HERE TO REFER A GOOD MAN The individual you refer will receive a series of communications, the first of which will identity you as the referral source.

The Scottish Rite is a Masonic organization that continues a Master Mason's education of the first three degrees. The Scottish Rite is one of several appendant groups of the worldwide fraternity known as Freemasonry. Each Valley has up to four Scottish Rite bodies, and each body confers a set of degrees. In the Southern Jurisdiction these are the Lodge of Perfection (4°-14°). Chapter Rose Croix (15°-18°), Council of Knights Kadosh (19°-30°), and the Consistory (31°-32°). The 33rd Degree is an honorary degree awarded for exceptional service. Have a question? Ask a Personal Rep!

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The Widows Sons, Masonic Riders Association is a group of Master Masons who have gathered together to promote Freemasonry within the motorcycling community and help introduce motorcycling to our non-riding Masonic brethren. As Freemasons we are committed to "Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth" tenets of our lives, as Widows Sons we are devoted to supporting Widows and Orphans of our Masonic brethren. We hold events and rides as fundraisers for this noble cause, and other charitable causes. The chapters in Arizona are very diverse with members from various areas, lodges, and a variety of motorcycles.

The goal of the Ladies’ Oriental Shrine, as set forth at the organizational meeting in 1903, is to promote sociability, good fellowship and the betterment of all Ladies connected with the organization. Our Ladies participate in parades, mini-clinics, Shrine Circuses, and much more. Ladies may choose to be active in a variety of special interest Units within each local Court such as Oriental Bands, Patrols, Clown or Dance Units. Our Ladies are always ready to display their pageantry and glamour in order to show the public how much they enjoy their activities.

Today, LOSNA has nearly 8,000 members in 64 Courts across North America and even members in Japan and Taiwan.

High Twelve is an association of Master Masons who desire an hour of Masonic fellowship independent of the formal ritual of Lodge but dedicated to the service to the fraternity. High Twelve was founded by E. C. Wolcott in Sioux City, Iowa on May 17, 1921.

We practice the great lessons of Freemasonry and encourage members to attend and participate in their Blue Lodge activities. High Twelve unifies Master Masons from many Lodges in an association where fellowship grows into lasting friendships. As High Twelve Masons, we support the Public School System and encourage participation in constructive community activities. There are over 300 active High Twelve Clubs with 25,000 members in the United States, Canada and Foreign Countries.

www.azmasoniclibrary.org 13

May 5, Pinal Lodge No. 30

May 9, Sabbar Shrine

7:00 pm Stated Meeting

6:00 pm Stated Meeting

May 9, Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

May 9, Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

5:00 pm Dinner at Lodge 7:00 pm Stated Meeting 9:00 pm Post meeting discussion at Mount Athos

5:30 pm Trustee Meeting

May 10, Ocotillo Chapter No. 21 OES

Observing the Craft Book Club 5:30 pm Meeting

May 16, Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

Call for time

May 12, Apache Lodge No. 69 7:30 pm Stated Meeting

June 3-5, Grand Lodge of Arizona Wild Horse Pass and Casino

May 14, White Mountain No. 3

140th Grand Communication

10:00 am Stated Meeting

May 14, Globe Chapter No. 7 R.A.M 2:00 pm Stated Meeting

May 19, Eloy Lodge No. 46 7:00 pm Stated Meeting

May 21, Memento Mori Widow Sons Location TBD: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WSMMChapter

11:00 am Stated Meeting

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Jim Reid Frank Musil MWGM Mark Manning WB John O’Hara PM WB Delbert Lewis PM WB Ray Osbourn PM Wilbur (Bill) Dean Lawrence Baby Rylee Ringer Baby Miguel Martinez

Ron LeDuc Ken Holland John Woode Eric Smith Jose Martinez

Baby Angeliya Celeste Holt MW Grand Master of Arizona First Responders The Armed Forces Our Veterans Our dearly departed Brethren Brethren Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 Town of Florence Government United States Government

5-1 5-20 5-21 5-23 5-29

Bradley Johnson Steven Murphy Larry Hayes Eric Nelson Carroll Michael Steve Johnson Roger Biede 15

5-12-1967 5-23-1993 5-24-1993 5-6-2000 5-6-2000 5-27-2006 5-31-2014

Brethren, Friends, and Family, This year the Masonic Charities of Arizona approved 33 grants totaling $70,000 to worthy organizations throughout Arizona. These 501c3 charitable organizations provide much needed services to their communities all over Arizona Those services include Veteran assistance, Domestic abuse shelters, child learning disabilities, training and assistance for people with special needs, support for soldiers abroad, Adult literacy programs and Personal hygiene kits for the working poor and homeless.

We are able to award these Grants from the income of our investment fund, Lodge and Personal donations and support from Grand Lodge. In order to keep up with the desire to expand our Grant distribution to more organizations and communities around the State we ask for your help.

We have registered with the Amazon Smile Foundation. Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization selected by their customers. For Amazon customers to select the Masonic Charities of Arizona to receive these donations go to http://smile.amazon.com/ch/942746389 to automatically select us. Or you can go to www.smile.amazon.com and you will be prompted to select a charity. Now you are ready to shop and support the Masonic Charities of Arizona.

The Board of Directors of the Masonic Charities of Arizona extends our appreciation to all of you for your support.

Fraternally, Roger Biede III Secretary, Masonic Charities of Arizona rcbthree@hotmail.com www.masoniccharitiesaz.com 16

Email: jiminys@yahoo.com

Bro. Email: jwoode591@gmail.com

Dewey Jefferson Email: djndjedderson48@yahoo.com

MWGM Randy Jager 2021-22 Grand Master F. & A.M of Arizona

Bro. John Bryon Singer Email: jbyronsinger@aol.com

Chairman: WB Eric Smith Email: jiminys@yahoo.com

Bro. Lee Apger Chairman: John Woode

Email: lkapger@gmail.com

Email: jwoode591@gmail.com

Chairman: WB Dewey Jefferson Email: djndjedderson48@yahoo.com

WB Robert Malloy Email: robert_molloy@cox.net

Chairman: WB Roger Biede III PM Email: roger.biede@gmail.com

Chairman: Brian Gay

Bro. Steve Murphy

Email: bg1973@hotmail.com

Email: santanman7921@gmail.com

Chairman: WB Roger Biede III Email: roger.biede@gmail.com

Bro. Spencer Sego Email: spencersego@gmail.com

Chairman: John Woode Email: jwoode591@gmail.com

WB Anthony Raimondi

Roger Biede III PM Chairman

Email: raimondi_57@msn.com 17

Robert Molloy PM, John Woode

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The first mention of Moon Lodges can be found in the Cooke Manuscript of 1410, one of the oldest documents belonging to the Masonic Craft. In the U.S., Moon Lodges were first noted in colonial times around 1717 to be operating in Philadelphia, Boston and Tennessee

There appears to have been approximately 3000 moon lodges in the U.S. at the turn of the last century but by the 1950’s that number had decreased to 500. Today, by last count, there are roughly 129 moon lodges in the U .

S .

A moon lodge was born out of necessity due to the lack of natural or artificial illumination by which one could travel to and from meetings. During the 18th century, transportation was limited to horseback, horse & buggy, walking and even in some circumstances by boat. There were no paved roads and very few gravel but merely two dirt ruts that would meander through bush and fields rarely in a straight line. With only a candle or coal oil lamp to light the way, a full moon provided welcome companionship for a long and lonely trek. Individuals would travel 8-10 miles or more and were unable to make the long trip home at night and would be supplied lodging by a fellow brother, leaving after br eakfast to return home the next morning.

Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 continues to follow this tradition and is honored to be still one of the remaining “Moon Lodges” in the United States. Our Stated Meetings are the Monday On or Before the Full Moon of the Month, The Lodge also goes “Dark” during the summer months of July and August, where no Stated Meetings are 20held.