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Virginia
Visit.
APRIL
2007:
Virginia
Visit by Stuart Jack, Inner Guard.
During
my Easter holidays from work, the Provincial Grand Master, James L Jack and I
visited two Affiliate members of Lodge St. Bryde, Brothers
Wayne Price
and Raymond Steele in
Virginia
. This was my first visit to
Virginia
and would be my first time attending a Masonic meeting outside
Scotland
. My first experience in an American lodge came sooner than I had expected and
happened by luck and chance. Along with James Jack,
Wayne Price
and Raymond Steele we spent an overnight visit at a historic settlement in
Jamestown which was celebrating it`s 400th. Anniversary as the first settlement
being established in Virginia
.
On
our way back from Jamestown
we decided to pass through a town called
Williamsburg
where we planned on getting some food and a place to spend the night. On our
way through the old town of
Williamsburg
we kept our eyes open for the Masonic hall as we knew there was a temple there
but didn’t exactly know where it was.
As
we travelled along the road into town, I suddenly noticed the
Masonic
Temple
so we stopped the car for a picture. A picture wasn’t all we got from
Williamsburg Lodge Number 6 as it just happened to be the second Monday, the
meeting started in an hour! Its safe to say our manner of dress was even strange
for a Lodge as we entered the hall in jeans and t-shirts however the
Number 6 Brethren made us more than welcome and after Raymond past the Masonic
test we sat down for a dinner before the meeting. There was no degree on, just a
short business meeting however my first experience in an American lodge was very
enjoyable mainly due to the nature we found the meeting and the Brethren of
Williamsburg.
After
a day out on the Tuesday I, along with James Jack, and
Wayne Price
attended Hiram Lodge Number 21 in Winchester
where Raymond Steele is currently RWM.  The hall in
Winchester
is stunning and is painted with tracing boards and Masonic emblems, it’s a
Lodge room that just can’t be described as it has to be seen to be
appreciated. The meeting was excellent and the Brethren of Hiram Lodge
definitely did RWM Raymond proud.
They
performed a Master mason degree on one of their Candidates and it really was
something, with most of the Brethren taking part in the degree, each office or
roll even having its own costume.
A
presentation was made to Lodge St. Bryde with Bro. Raymond presenting myself
with a mallet which was used at a Masonic meeting in an American Army camp in
Iraq
.
After
the meeting there was a short harmony which is very different to here as there
is no alcohol served and I couldn’t imagine Bruce Reidford serving shrimps and
ham cakes after a meeting !
It
was an excellent night and I was very privileged to meet Past Grand Master of
West Virginia Bro. Frank Haas who had visited
Scotland
last year and was very impressed.
Sadly
by the Thursday it was time to head back to Uddingston as we had an important
annual visit to attend. On our way to the airport we paid a visit to the George
Washington National Masonic Memorial which stands in
Alexandria
just outside
Washington
.
The
Memorial is absolutely stunning and thanks to my tour guide Richard Radi from
Spurmont Lodge No. 98. I really had an excellent hour or so touring around
looking at the amazing building and being told about its history and contents
whilst doing so. The place is full of American Masonic history and when you see
it its hard to believe that a Masonic memorial of that size exists, it’s a
tremendous memorial to George Washington.
Stuart
Jack, Inner Guard
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